Wellness Exemplar

Grace Scanlon

University of New England

Wellness Exemplar

Change is something we all go through each day. We go through a process where we want to make little things different and better for ourselves and those around us. In college, it is all about changing your mindset, attitude, and way of living. We as humans must adapt to our environment’s around us. Personally, I was learning to adapt to the busy life that I have being a nursing student and being so involved at school. I am constantly on the go, and don’t have time to care much about my mental and physical health. This is something I knew and wanted to change. Finding the motivation to do so, was the hardest part and is something I struggle with to this day.

            A little test/survey was done in class where we ranked specific statements about ourselves and personal wellness. We then set goals to accomplish by the end of the semester. Goal number one for me, was to work on my physical health, specifically my weight, by creating a workout plan and new eating habits to ensure I become a healthier individual. My weight is something I have struggled with my whole life, and I am constantly in a battle with it. Making this change now, was the best option for me. It was important that I learned new habits of living, so that I can live each day to my fullest, and not feel so terrible and pitiful for myself. I wanted to be positive about how I looked, and to just feel good!

This goal was one of the hardest for me to maintain. I tend to make up excuses saying I don’t have time to go to the gym, or that I don’t feel good. These barriers are what prevented me from meeting this goal. I was lazy after classes and was not motivated to work on this aspect. I went to the gym a few times, but I will say I was unsuccessful in working out with a plan. An aspect that I did make progress in and continue with was by starting to drink plenty of water and only water, as well as aiming for more fruits and vegetables on my plates at meals every day. I started small and progressed my way through healthy eating. I am now confident in this area and will strive to maintain this course. I feel better as far as energy levels each day, and my gut health.

Goal two was to work on my emotional and mental well-being by being proactive with my emotions and doing things for myself first. I always put others before myself. It is how I was raised to be as a human being here on earth. I have since learned that in certain situations, I need to come first, and so does my happiness. It was important that I had some “me” time this semester and that I was happy here at school, living in each moment and memory. My strategies for achieving this goal were to do more thing that I enjoy, smile and laugh at least one a day, and to say no to some of the obligations that were filling my plate to the brim. I was quite successful in all of these and have been much happier this semester.

Support from friends and family as well as having less to do each day, helped me to meet this goal of mental health. They guided me in the direction I needed to take. They would pick me back up if I was ever down and wanting to give up in school work, or outside work. Barriers that prevented happiness on some days were based on the amount of school work I needed to get done each day, as well as not socializing with others as I was so wrapped up with myself. Taking a little bit of time to just lay in bed, listen to music, and hang out with friends who make me laugh and smile constantly, made a whole difference in how my days would go. Making this change was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. My friends and family noticed this and say how I am glowing and seemed less down on myself throughout this semester.

             The Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Model is all about how a person in each stage is ready for change and how successful they will be in this process. As I look at this model, I understand that I was stuck in the contemplation stage and preparation stage for a while. I was always telling myself I’m going to do it, and make plans, but then would fall through and have a relapse before even acting. This is especially for my work out goal. I started off contemplating and have yet to follow through to maintenance and am stuck now. I am hoping to pick myself up and start the change over again and follow through. For my mental Health, I have made it through all stages. I am currently in the maintenance stage now as I have been successful in putting me first and continue to do so. Over the semester I was consistent and hope to maintain it.

            To maintain these goals and to start following through, I will need to be open to making time out of my busy schedule to work out and sweat a little bit. Even if I start small by just going to a gym once a week, that is doing something and will start my motivation. For putting me first and finding happiness, I will ensure to carve out time in my schedule as well for me and doing things that I enjoy! These are very simple things I know I can do and want to do. I am excited to keep this change in my life to see where I am at the end of this school year. ?

References

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