make health a priority. As college students, we’re constantly aware of deadlines we have to meet; there is always an upcoming assignment whether it’s an exam, paper, project, etc. For the majority, class assignments are not the only things on our minds. We have work, internships, family and friends, personal responsibility, athletic responsibilities, etc. All of these factors take up our time, and let’s face it, there are only so many hours in a day.

The stress we face as a result of our busy lives affects us both physically and psychologically. A majority of the stress we are exposed to is out of our control, which is why it’s important to take the time and think: “What do I need right now?” Taking the time to think about what you need helps manage stress; your ability to manage stress is how you regain control of yourself.

Life’s a balancing act. Sometimes it can be hard to find “balance” in our lives. Everyone has responsibilities, but taking care of yourself is the key to success. If you aren’t “in-check” with yourself, you will not be able to keep everything else in-check. Things begin to fall apart when we lose balance in our lives. Through the ability to maintain this balance, we are able to live meaningful and successful lives.

Our personal health is like the foundation of a building. To construct a strong, sturdy building that is able to withstand the test of time, you need to first start with a strong foundation. If the foundation is weak, the building will not last. Our personal health is the foundation of our lives. The foundation of our personal health is a balance of mind, body, and spirit. The primary goal of the Wellness Center and Healthy Monday is to encourage students to recognize and understand what this balance means for them.

It is important to find time for exercise, which can be something as simple as taking the long way to class rather than a shortcut. This balance also has something to do with moderation. It is okay to have that cookie for dessert, but not five cookies. A well-balanced diet, is not really about the amount of calories you take in, rather it’s about the nutrition. Our bodies are machines that require materials in order to work properly. The nutrition our body needs comes from protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, fiber, and lots of water. Just like everything else in life, these factors have good and bad components, but it is your job to choose and to find the balance between the good and bad.

We’ve all heard the saying that while in college there are three important things that you should concern yourself with: studying/getting good grades, having fun, and getting enough sleep—but you can only pick two of the three. This saying goes against what it means to live a well-balanced life. An important part of health regarding the mind, body, and spirit is to make time to do the things that we enjoy, spend time with those we love, have success in our classes, find time to exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep.

Living a balanced life requires a conscious effort to do so. This means that YOU are the one in control; YOU are the one who defines what a balanced life means to you; YOU are the one who decides whether or not you live a balanced life; and YOU are the one who chooses how to live a balanced life.

So fellow ‘Phins, I hope you take the time for a “self-check” and enjoy the remainder of the semester.