The Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing
In support of making wellbeing part of your everyday life at UMass, this page connects you to practical resources for academic, emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing.
Remember: wellbeing is not the absence of illness or stress – you can still strive for wellbeing even if you are experiencing these challenges.
Academic | Emotional | Environmental | Financial | Intellectual | Physical | Social | Spiritual
Academic wellbeing is not only good grades, but also finding personal satisfaction and enrichment from your course of study. Student Success can help you build your UMass support team (including your academic advisor, residential staff, the Learning Resource Center, CMASS success coaches, and others) to help you plan for academic success and stay on track when coursework gets stressful. Disability Services can help with any accommodations or services you need to ensure academic success. Your major’s dedicated librarian can help you develop meaningful research questions and topics. Career Services prepares you for life after college. |
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Emotional wellbeing means coping effectively with life and creating positive relationships. Take a skills workshop to learn healthy coping techniques or drop by a Let’s Talk session to share what’s on your mind and get recommendations and support. Find a caring community of peers through campus support groups: Center for Counseling and Psychological Health groups are safe and confidential therapist-facilitated spaces to talk with others with shared identities (LGBTQIA, students of color, etc.) or who are dealing with similar challenges (anxiety, grief and loss, dissertation stress, etc.). The Center for Women and Community offers free empowerment and healing-based groups for survivors of sexual violence. |
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Environmental wellbeing is about finding pleasant, stimulating environments that support your well-being. Participate in creating and sustaining your campus living environment by making a roommate agreement, getting involved, and living sustainably. Or let Off Campus Student Life help you find and connect with your off campus neighborhood. Need a calming time out? Practice mindfulness in a favorite campus place, and explore the trees of UMass (a diverse urban forest) with Treefinder. |
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Financial wellbeing means managing your resources, money, and planning for your financial future. UMass Amherst Financial Aid Services can help you with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Find employment through The Student Employment Office, the Student Job Board, or the Graduate Assistantship Office.Take advantage of UMassFive Credit Union accounts, services, financial education and advice. Get to know Smart about Money (SAM) and download their financial wellness guide. Calculate your real cost for attending UMass with MyinTuition. Use apps like Mint.com, Wally, and Good Budget to track budget and meet goals. These resources can help with financial challenges. |
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Intellectual wellbeing exercises your creativity, expands your skills, and provides opportunities to learn new things. Explore your creativity with Student Arts & Media agencies, the Digital Media Lab, and Arts and Media Council Registered Student Organizations in mediums like hand crafts, video production, dance, theater, music, and more. Experience new things through campus events, galleries, and Fine Arts Center or Mullins performances. Discover unexpected interests exploring books, magazines, and special collections at the UMass libraries. |
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Physical wellbeing is grounded in regular activity, healthy eating, and good sleep. Keep well with University Health Services and Sexual & Reproductive Health, Gender-Affirming Care, acupuncture, and Collegiate Recovery Communities. Eat healthy at the Hampshire Dining Commons or make healthy inexpensive meals. If you drink alcohol, get a BASICS “drinker’s checkup” to reduce your risk of future problems.Exercise at the Recreation Center, Boyden Gymnasium, Aquatics, the Body Shop, Mullins Center ice rink, Disc Golf course, or Curry Hicks Cage track. Enjoy outdoor sports like jogging, walking, or hiking local routes and trails or biking the Norwottuck Rail Trail. Campus Recreation offers intramural sports and group fitness like yoga, Zumba, spinning, and barre. Connect with a coach for personal training, nutrition advising, or peer wellness. |
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Social wellbeing is created by connecting to friends, community, and support systems. Registered Student Organizations are a great way to make new friends with shared interests. Advocacy, Inclusion and Support (AIS) provides identity-themed programs and support for students including multicultural, LGBTQIA, veterans, women, men, and more. Defined Residential Communities and cultural centers can help make campus a home away from home. |
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Spiritual wellbeing is often defined as finding a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life can help you connect to religious or spiritually focused Registered Student Organizations, communities of faith, and local houses of worship. Contemplative practices such as Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga focus on quieting the mind and generating thoughts and feelings of compassion. |