We promote physical movement as a way to feel at home in your body, which leads to self-confidence and a healthy body image.
The Center for Student Wellness focuses on movement as a way to engage your mind, body, and soul. We promote physical movement as a way to feel at home in your body, which leads to self-confidence and a healthy body image. CSW believes movement encompasses not just physical exercise, but also movements that encourage social and emotional health beyond the gym like cooking, making art, stretching with meditation, and other activities. By reframining movement we can find creative ways to stay active throughout our days.
Key Messages
Listen to your body and do activities that make you feel good.
Integrate physical activities like flexibility, cardio, and strength training with activities that feed your soul like cooking, art, and more.
Aim to move 3-5 days a week for 30 minutes as part of your activities of daily living.
Rather than for appearance or burning calories.
Discover
What messages do you receive around caring for your body? Listen to a variety of perspectives, from experts and peers, and consider how it relates to your experiences.
Hear from an expert
The brain-changing benefits of exercise
What's the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today? Exercise! says neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. Get inspired to go to the gym as Suzuki discusses the science of how working out boosts your mood and memory -- and protects your brain against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Explore
How do you care for your body? Engage in these reflective activities to discover what works best for you.
Move Intuitively
Feel your body when you move. Next time you choose to exercise, be mindful. Take note of how your legs feel, your arms, what it is like to breathe in and out, and more. Reflect on how this experience was for you, and consider thanking your body for what it can do. Learn about intuitive exercise here.
Mix It Up:
Get out of your comfort zone and try movement, a game, or exercise that is different for your body once this week. If you normally lift weights, get on the yoga mat. If you run, get in the pool. If you swim, try a HIIT workout. Your body likes to be challenged, and that is where gains in strength, speed, and flexibility happen! Check out BC Recreation's youtube channel to add variety into your routine.
Stay Active
Beyond BC - Boston has a lot to offer, and you can explore by foot, walking or running, or on a bike. In fact, Blue Bikes offers bikes throughout the city from Brookline for a small fee. Take one down to the Charles River, and along the Esplanade. Getting outside for a walk or hike can also help bring nature into your life, which we know is essential for health and a stable mood. You'll be combining fun movement with an adventure, just remember to wear your mask and social distance!
Move For Health
Learn about the beneficial effects of movement on your overall physical and mental well-being by reading this quick article. Movement can also have a positive effect on your relationships. Exercising alone can be isolating and not so fun. And, we know relationships benefit from activities done together. Recruit a friend to be a movement buddy and plan to move creatively together in the next week, like going for a jog, doing your own sunset yoga, or taking an in-person or virtual class. You'll have fun, camaraderie, and find more joy when you've got company.
Live
What do you need to do to care for your mind (or body, or soul) and live well? Sign up to meet with a Wellness Coach to reflect on your current wellbeing and set goals that feel achievable to you.
Let's Talk More...
We want to help you find joy in your journey, wherever you’re at. We have many resources within Center for Student Wellness and throughout campus to continue this conversation—we’re here to listen, reflect, and help you set and achieve health goals that feel intuitive, sustainable, and balanced.
Meet with a Peer Wellness Coach
Engage in a conversation about your health and wellness goals related to caring for your body - in the areas of sleep and general health, body image and exercise, and alcohol and other drugs!
Visit bc.edu/wellnesscoach to schedule your Wellness Coaching session and learn about each type of appointment, or use the links below to sign up directly through google calendar.