If you want to approach health and wellness holistically, taking care of your body is an important component to consider. This entails being physically active, maintaining a balanced diet, being aware of your personal stressors, and visiting your physician for regular physicals, STI testing, and reproductive health check-ins. Being physically strong allows you to better manage stress, and live and learn more efficiently at IU Bloomington.
If you’re noticing any of the following, now might be the right time to begin improving your physical wellness.
Persistent headaches
Fatigue
Upset stomach
Sleep problems
Overeating or undereating
Drug/tobacco/alcohol/substance misuse
Infrequent exercise or overexercising
Change in sex drive
Things to consider
The Student Health Center offers a huge range of resources and services to support your overall physical health. Located in the heart of campus across from the Wells Library and offering many virtual options, the Student Health Center is a convenient and student-centered resource. You can see a medical provider, fill a prescription, or get physical therapy all in one place. The Student Health Center strives to be inclusive of all our diverse students and their specific needs.
The Student Health Center offers programs and interactive workshops for classes, student groups and events. Learn more and request a program.
What you eat can be an important part of your wellness journey. Learn how to prepare healthy meals to increase your nutrition with these videos or schedule a nutrition consultation at the Student Health Center.
If you are struggling to pay for food there are many resources in the community.
Crimson Cupboard offers free healthy food to Indiana University Bloomington students who are struggling with food insecurity.
Hoosier Hills Foodbank collects, stores, and distributes food to non-profit agencies that feed the hungry in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin, and Monroe counties.
Call 2-1-1 for information about other available resources regarding food accessibility.
Learn more about SNAP benefits and see if you're eligible.
Did you know the Student Health Center offers sexual health consultations, information related to healthy relationships, pleasure, safety, contraceptive methods, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy testing and diagnosis, and treatment? We also offer free sexual health and safety products including internal/external condoms, lubricants, and oral dams.
There are a lot of ways to include movement as a part of your daily routine, no matter where you are or what your current fitness level is. Find something that not only suits your abilities and your fitness goals, but that you enjoy.
Did you know that getting enough sleep can help you concentrate and remember new information? This makes it a great tool for students. Most college students need 7-9 hours of sleep every night and there are lots of tricks for getting enough zzzs. Learn more about prioritizing sleep and small steps you can take to get better rest.
Substance use can impact many dimensions of wellness, including your physical health. Substance Use Intervention Services (SUIS) offers a safe, judgement-free space for drug and alcohol use and recovery support through the Collegiate Recovery Community. They will meet you where you are and help you get to where you need to be.
Your Physical Wellness to-do lists
Check out these ideas provided by the Student Health Center's Peer Health and Wellness Educators on what you can do to improve your physical wellness and build resilience.
This week:
Set-up a food journal
Take outdoor walks
Try a new exercise class or video
Explore different ways to relax
Get a massage
This month:
Assess what you are consuming (e.g. food, alcohol/substances, media, etc.)