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In the last few years, headlines warning of a mental health crisis among students have swept across the country. Many colleges and universities have risen to the challenge and are actively working to build cultures of support and expand counseling services.
However, in the race to address mental health concerns among students, both physical health and employees have taken a back seat. While well-meaning, strategies that fail to include (or boost) physical activity and wellness offerings are doing campuses a disservice, and the faculty and staff serving students must first help themselves.
A Tie We Can’t Ignore
Research shows that higher levels of physical activity have positive correlations with better well-being and negative correlations with anxiety and depression.
“Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits,” reads a 2021 blog post from Paul Reed, MD, rear admiral for U.S. Public Health Service, deputy assistant secretary for health, and director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “These are published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and include improved brain health and cognitive function (the ability to think, if you will), a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life.”
Shaywanna Harris-Pierre, PhD, LPC, a licensed professional counselor and assistant professor of professional counseling at Texas State University, says it’s important to address both physical and mental health in order to approach our wellness from a holistic perspective.
“Prioritizing physical activity and exercise can increase neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain, which can positively impact and regulate mood,” she says. “Further, body awareness that can come with activities like yoga or pilates can release tension in the body and soothe the nervous system through intentional movement and breathing, thus improving overall mood and mental health.”
While experts widely recognize the connection between physical and mental health, other campus members, including leaders, may not be aware that mental well-being can benefit from intentional focus on physical activity and fitness programming on campus. Campus employees working in the health and well-being fields should strive to educate colleagues, leaders, and students about the benefits and engage them in a holistic wellness strategy.
What Colleges Can Do
Consider your entire campus community: Academia has seen an increase in employee burnout, warned Camilla W. Nonterah, Ph.D., associate professor of health psychology at the University of Richmond. “The airplane analogy of securing one’s oxygen mask before assisting others can be applied here,” she said. “The mental health needs of those who support college students should be considered as well. Based on anecdotal experiences, I have seen committed faculty and staff who support students, whether it is by creating spaces for them to share their need for accommodations or by providing extensions. While this is great, I have yet to see formal training offered to faculty and staff on how to best support students and themselves, especially instances in which they experience secondary trauma from supporting students or have to balance their personal mental health needs and job demands while supporting students. Moreover, as colleges compete to provide the best services to students, it falls on faculty and staff to increase their productivity without enough initiatives and services focused on employee wellbeing.”
Take action: Simply stating a commitment to health and wellness is not enough, Nonterah said. Colleges and universities can create a culture of wellness by creating programs and initiatives that support student and employee wellness. She recommends integrating mental health days for all classes so that students can miss a day or two when they need it without any repercussions on their academic performance. “I know many of my colleagues and I already have these policies in our courses, but it would be good to have this as common practice,” she explained. “This is an inclusive pedagogical practice that does not penalize students who are more likely to ‘suffer in silence’ when they need accommodations.” For employees, Nonterah says flexible working schedules, free or subsidized behavioral health services, and early release days (such as half-days on Fridays) could help promote their physical and mental health needs. Employers should also consider their options with insurance because lower insurance co-pays increase accessibility to primary care and mental health services. “Wellness stipends are also indicative of an employer’s commitment to wellness,” she said. “For example, if employees are provided with quarterly, semiannually, or even yearly reimbursements for engaging in a wellness activity of their choice, such as getting a massage, going to a spa, or going to a concert, this sends a message to the employee that their organization truly values their wellness and are willing to do what it takes to promote it.”
Promote mindfulness: Rear Admiral Reed advises that we must stay mindful of our physical and mental health. Colleges can play a role in educating both students and employees and promoting this mindfulness. College communication channels can be used to promote active lifestyles and any campus events geared toward this goal.
Consider combination events: There are many options for marrying mental and physical wellness so that you can address both components of well-being in a single event. Harris-Pierre says that two popular options are wellness walks and trauma-sensitive yoga classes. Both help to “connect the mind and body and facilitate wellness in the students, faculty, and staff.” Similarly, you might combine a physical activity with one for networking if you’re looking to engage your employees on campus. “Tying a walk to a networking opportunity allows faculty to decompress and develop their professional network,” says Dr. Melanie McNaughton, PhD., a professor and chair of the communication studies department at a liberal arts university.
Get creative: Just as cooler weather can bring about the winter blues (or worse yet, seasonal affective disorder) for some, it often discourages many of us from getting outside and staying active. “When the plentiful sunshine and clear skies of temperate months give way to unpredictable weather, less daylight, and festive gatherings, it may happen unconsciously or seem natural to be distracted from being as physically active,” Reed wrote. Even leaving your warm dorm room or office to work out in the fitness center can seem difficult in bitter-cold weather. Colleges may need to get creative about engaging students and employees during this time of year, whether that involves special events, contests, or incentives.
Offer credit: If you’re struggling to get students active, one incentive to consider is offering one credit for classes in activities like yoga, tennis, swimming, etc., says McNaughton.
With commitment and intentionality, boosting physical and mental health across campus for both students and employees is possible. There are many creative ways to achieve a healthier campus, especially when factoring in both sides of the coin.