Having a strong and diverse network of support and making time for fun and hobbies fosters your mind, body and soul.
In the Center for Student Wellness we believe expanding your social circle will help you form cross cultural connections and develop a greater world perspective. Social interaction is essential to every aspect of your well-being. Everyone meets their need for belonging differently and there are a variety of friendships that influence our academic and social success. Having a strong and diverse network of support and making time for fun and hobbies fosters your mind, body and soul.
Key Messages
Spend quality time with people who are important to you.
Get involved in activities that make you lose track of time; make time for your hobbies and develop new ones.
Embrace differences by being proactive in including and celebrating others.
Leave time for play, things you do because you want to and not because you have to.
Discover
What messages do you receive around caring for your SOUL? Listen to a variety of perspectives, from experts and peers, and consider how it relates to your experiences.
Hear from an expert
How to create meaningful connections while apart
Author Priya Parker shares tools for creating meaningful connections with friends, family and coworkers during the coronavirus pandemic -- and shows how we can take advantage of gatherings that are unique to this moment of social distancing.
More perspectives
BC Podcast: Building Your Community with Lia Frankis
BC Blog: A New Era of Socializing
Explore
How do you care for your SOUL? Engage in these reflective activities and behaviors to discover what works best for you.
Find Joy With Others
Get to know what type of friendship network you have by taking this quiz. Then use this worksheet to map out your support system and figure out who the people in your life are who matter? Pick out one or two people that you haven’t spoken to in a while and make a point to reach out to them. Write them a handwritten note, give them a call, DM them, or send them an email. Tell them you are thinking of them and that you cherish having them in your life.
Find Your Flow
Many of us are faced with a lot more free time then normal. Why not take this opportunity to find new activities that you can get lost in? Don’t feel intimidated to apply to clubs that you might not get into, cast a wide net! Your group of people is here on campus, when you are being your true self they will find you. It can seem hard to get involved at a school like BC, filled with lots of involved and high achieving people. But don’t let that diminish your sense of self. Especially freshman year, be sure to check out the list of organizations on the Engage platform and email members to ask what it’s like to be a member of that club - What do they value? Why did they get involved? How have they benefited? Find the ones that align most closely to your own interests and values.
Be Inclusive
Spending time with your friends? Making dinner plans with your roommates? Forming a study group? Before you do, think to yourself if there is anyone who might want to join you who might not have anyone else to go out with, get dinner with, or study with - even if they already have other plans, it’s always nice to be asked! By being more inclusive, you not only make the other person feel better, but yourself too! Think about what it means to belong - how do we become conscious of embracing and developing diversity within ourselves? Watch From the Inside Out: Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging to create truly inclusive cultures.
Have Fun
Make time for play. Read this article to learn more about the importance of play in adulthood and think about how you could incorporate play into your weekly routine. Play is different for everyone. Think about the things that you enjoy doing that you don’t feel like you are being forced into. This might mean getting together with friends for board games or ultimate frisbee, doing a morning sudoku or crossword puzzle, or setting aside some ‘me time’ to craft or cook a new recipe. Try to make time for some small amount of play every day and challenge yourself to say ‘Yes!’ the next time someone invites you to join them for an activity. Whether it’s playing with someone or reading a book, making music, dancing, drawing, cooking, doing puzzles, or organizing your closet, give yourself permission to have fun and play, it fills the mind and soul!
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.