Wellness in Focus - December: Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness means knowing one’s purpose in life, finding joy in everyday life, practicing honesty, and seeing beauty in life.

A person who is spiritually well:

  • Examines personal values and beliefs
  • Searches for the deeper meanings of life
  • Has a clear understanding of right and wrong
  • Appreciates natural forces in the universe
  • Asks deeper questions
  • Reflects and meditates
  • Establishes a value system

Spiritual Wellness Resources & Events

Therapy Fluffies De-Stress Fest

Tuesday, December 08, 2009 from 10a-2p on Library Walk

Relax and de-stress while visiting with 30 therapy dogs on Library Walk - pet, play, and have fun! Look for the Petting Palace!

Center for Ethics and Spirituality
The Center for Ethics and Spirituality provides students with secular counseling, discussion, and education programs relating to spiritual, moral, and ethical issues and questions that may arise within the UCSD community of students, scholars, workers, and campus affiliates.
Typical resources available through the Center include:

  • Secular counseling by professionals versed in theology, ethics, and spirituality
  • Quarterly lectures through the Burke Lecture Series on issues relating to ethics, spirituality, social norms, and morality
  • Workshops on strategies for recognizing and avoiding cults and high-pressure recruitment.

Spiritual Wellness Tips

*Tips from Lauren Woolley (CAPS Post-Doctoral Intern)

Relaxation

  • Soak in a hot tub or use aromatherapy.
  • Listen to soothing music.
  • Spend time outdoors.
  • Check out iRelax audio at http://caps.ucsd.edu
  • Therapy Fluffies de-stress event - Tuesday Dec. 8th from 10am-2pm on Library Walk.

Reflection

  • What is important in life? Are you making time for it?
  • What values guide your decisions?
  • Am I accepting other’s views?

Spiritual Practice

Compassion for Others

  • Get to know those in your classes and res halls. Try to learn about their interests.
  • Treat others in a way that demonstrates respect and concern.
  • Look for ways to ease other’s pain.
  • Consider volunteering.

 

Wellness in Focus - November: Financial Wellness

Financial wellness means maintaining a balanced budget for expenses while also practicing money-saving techniques.

A person who is financially well:

  • Develops a balanced budget that manages both income and expenditures

  • Is knowledgeable about the ways to receive scholarships, loans, and grants for school

  • Has one credit card or no credit cards

  • Makes good consumer choices

  • Focuses on saving money instead of spending money

  • Plans and prepares to deal with all expenses (living, school, short-term, long-term, emergencies)

Financial Wellness Resources & Events

Cash Course Weekly Challenge

  • Learn about savings, budgeting, and more and enter to win an iPod shuffle.

Financial Wellness & You

  • Encourage your student to stop by our table on Library Walk on Friday, November 6 from 11a-1pm to learn about improving their financial well-being. There will be lots of great giveaways and educational material.

Cash Course

  • UC San Diego Cash Course page

    • Cash Course provides information that will help your student make informed financial decisions throughout his/her college years and into his/her professional life. Learn about budgeting, dealing with credit cards, setting financial goals, paying for college, and more!

Financial Aid Office

  • Budgets and Cost of Attendance

    • UCSD's estimated budgets include all educational costs: registration fees, non-resident tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and a health care insurance fee (or health care allowance).

    • Your estimated budget helps you and the Financial Aid Office determine approximately how much money you need to attend UCSD, and how much financial aid you need to meet that goal. Your actual costs may differ.

  • Applying for Financial Aid

    • Financial aid timelines, basics for applying, fees and costs and other important information to help you apply for financial aid.

     

Career Services Center

Wellness in Focus - October: Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness means having high self-esteem, confidence, satisfying relationships, a support network, and staying optimistic.

A person who is emotionally well:

  • Manages stress effectively

  • Is able to cope with negative feelings
    in healthy ways

  • Maintains a sense of humor

  • Focuses on solutions to problem and
    maintains a sense of perspective

  • Has social support from friends and/or family

  • Recognizes emotions and responds effectively

  • Has an outlet (music or hobby)

  • Gets adequate rest and relaxation
  • Has a sense of self acceptance

Emotional Wellness Events & Workshops

National Depression Screening Day - October 8

National Depression Screening Day is a nationwide effort to promote mental health awareness. CAPS Wellness Peer Educators will be out on Library Walk distributing surveys on Thursday, October 8 from 10am-2pm on Library Walk. We will also be giving away free Krispy Kreme donuts, highlighters, and other fun giveaways!

Peace of Mind Workshop - beginning October 19

The Peace of Mind Workshop is a weekly educational workshop for students who want to increase their life skills and their ability to cope with emotions, relationships, conflict and stress. Through the Peace of Mind Workshops, students can learn how to live in the moment, manage their emotions, increase interpersonal skillfulness and identify what is really important to their life. The series includes 7 workshops, covering 4 themes: mindfulness, emotional wisdom, interpersonal effectiveness, and stress tolerance. Each workshop provides an informational overview, handouts and a relaxation exercise. It will begin Monday, October 19th 12:30-1:30pm at CAPS’ Central Office and meet weekly until November 4th.  Learn more

Out of the Darkness - Walk to Prevent Suicide 2009

We will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP's 2009 Out of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and we would appreciate any support that you give for this worthwhile cause.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is at the forefront of research, education and prevention initiatives designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 32,000 lives lost each year in the U.S. and over one million worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent. Learn more

Learn about all of the emotional wellness resources and services available on campus, by visiting our LiveWell UCSD emotional wellness page.

Emotional Wellness Tips

Your student may experience a variety of emotions during his/her first month at UC San Diego. Here are tips, provided by Counseling and Psychological Services, to help your student deal with some common emotions.

Homesickness:

It’s normal.

It’s temporary.

You are not alone.

Take action to make new friends. Taking action can help homesickness resolve faster.

Get involved – Go to CSI or your college and become a part of something.

Talk with someone here about your feelings.

Focus on what is positive here.

Have scheduled times to talk to those you miss.

If you are concerned about what you are experiencing, talk to a CAPS counselor, RA or trusted other.

Stress of first midterms

It’s normal.

You are not alone.

Get enough sleep (prioritize sleep).

Take time to exercise (exercise helps you study and is a great study break, even a ten minute walk).

Take the middle way – don’t overstudy or procrastinate.

Keep up with your work.

After a final (exam), let it go and focus on the present.

Get help if you need it by talking to your professor, a TA or OASIS.

Consider studying with a friend or make a new “study buddy.”

Depression:

Feeling sad, blue or down?

Having trouble sleeping, lose your appetite or losing hope?

Have less energy or losing interest or pleasure in fun things?

You might be depressed.

Make an appointment to see a CAPS counselor or see a SHS provider.

It’s free and confidential.
Reach out to someone and ask for help.

Wellness In Focus - September: 8 Dimensions of Wellness

8 Dimensions of Wellness

LiveWell UC San Diego supports students in achieving a more balanced and healthy lifestyle in the areas of social, physical, emotional, occupational, financial, spiritual, environmental and intellectual wellness. During Welcome Week (September 20-26), your student will have hundreds of opportunities to get to know the campus and its many resources. Here are a few highlighted events that correspond to one of the 8 dimensions of wellness. Encourage your student to attend these FREE events!

Social: Triton Power Hour - Monday, Sept. 21, 11am- Noon, RIMAC. Get pumped up about being a Triton and meet the athletic teams!

Physical: Meet the Beach - Saturday, Sept. 26, Scripps Beach, 11am-3pm. Presented by the 6 colleges and UCSD Recreation. Free surf lessons, kayaking, food, games, and transportation. Meet new people and learn about your beach community.

Emotional: Student Services Fair - Monday, Sept. 21 on Library Walk, 12 - 1:30 pm. Don't miss the largest on-campus resource fair during Welcome Week! Academic majors, recreation clubs, athletics and several central service departments will be represented. This annual resource fair is designed to allow new and continuing students the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of student services offered at UCSD.

Occupational: Welcome Convocation and Dinner - Tuesday, Sept. 22 at RIMAC Field, 5-7pm. Speakers include Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue with words of advice on how to excel at UC San Diego. Afterwards, mingle with faculty and staff and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Financial: The Financial Aid Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am-4:30pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 4:30pm. Walk-ins welcome! Located in Student Services Center on the 3rd floor.

Spiritual: UC San Diego Block Party - Monday, Sept. 21, 3-4:30pm, Cross-Cultural Center. Encourage your student to look for one of the hundreds of community service organizations and clubs on campus during Welcome Week. Most students volunteered in high school, but don’t develop their spirit of service in college. Encourage your student to get involved on campus by joining a club. Volunteering will make them feel that they are contributing to society.

Environmental: Hop on the Scripps Institute of Oceanography (SIO) shuttle and check out our award-winning research center. They have a great ocean view and a library.

Intellectual: California Native American Day Kick-Off Friday, Sept. 25, 11.30-2pm, International Center. Celebrate the legacy of California’s native people. This year’s theme is “The Life Givers: Honoring Language, Traditions, and the Environment.”

Looking for a great book to prepare you for college? Check out Graduating with Confidence: A Guide to Making the Most of Your College Experience, which features chapters about getting involved, finding a mentor, and taking care of your well-being in college.