Full Circle: Using the Wellness Wheel to Guide Student Support
About the Session
In order to support our students' well-being, it is important that we as practitioners have the skills and tools to guide our approach. The Wellness Wheel is a model that represents the eight dimensions of wellness: intellectual, emotional, occupational, environmental, financial, spiritual, physical, and social. Developed in the late 1970s by Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, the model was aimed to show that finding true wellness means a pursuit of balance in all areas of life. Combined with SMART goals, the model can effectively help in creating healthier habits and achieving a better well-being. It is important to note however, that the individual decides what fulfillment looks like for each dimension. (next paragraph) Participants of this session will have the opportunity to construct their own Wellness Wheel, engaging and assessing their own wellness continuum. With guidance, participants will then be prompted a series of questions regarding their wheel: areas to improve upon, what fulfillment looks like, and practices to improve well-being. It is important to focus on one to two areas at a time to avoid burnout and becoming overwhelmed with this process. In various stages of our life we may prioritize and value fulfillment in each dimension differently, as this is a fluid practice. Once an individual understands the Wellness Wheel in the context of their own life, they can integrate the framework into their daily practices to enhance student support and foster a campus community founded on holistic well-being.
Session III, Anne Belk Hall, Room 109
Learning Outcomes
2. Participants will learn practical strategies for incorporating the Wellness Wheel into their own institutional practices ensuring the active pursuit of students’ holistic well-being.
3. Participants will be able to use the Wellness Wheel as a tool for identifying areas of imbalance or pressure in students’ lives allowing them to provide timely support and resources.
4. Participants will leave with the tools to foster a culture of well-being, where faculty, staff, and students prioritize self-care, balance, and resilience.
5. Participants will have the opportunity to complete their own Wellness Wheel identifying areas of growth and evaluating fulfillment.
