There are a lot of ways to be healthy, and there are varying degrees to which people prioritize their health. There are those who bullet journal piously, then there are people who procrastinate by doing a face mask or going for a walk. You’ve got the ones who drink more than enough water and stretch every morning and night, and then there are the ones who find relief in watching reruns of their favorite TV show.
Health and wellness are two topics we’ve been reminded about since we first started here at Trinity. People frequently mention burnout and the curse of the Trinity student to want to be in every club and to major in at least two things with at least three minors, all while holding an off-campus job at the same time. It’s a glorified culture, and we all know it’s not healthy.
But we do handle health and wellness on campus. Every once in a while, we’ll get weird Student Health 101 emails, and toward finals time, you’ll get reminders that animals will be on campus to pet for emotional support via petting. There are workshops and support groups and weekly meditations in Parker Chapel.
We think superficially about what’s healthy for us, but we don’t really talk a lot about what’s not. Have toxic friends? Cut them out. Have anxiety? Go to Counseling Services. Have too much on your plate? Take fewer hours this semester.
None of these are bad ideas, but they ignore the root of our problems. They don’t tackle how to handle the trauma of an emotionally manipulative friendship; there’s no answer to why you’re anxious or how to do everything you want to do passionately without feeling overwhelmed. We find ways to cope with the negative parts of our life, but we never truly face their harsher details.
True healing requires an effort to confront persistent unhealthy aspects of our lives. While a single change is a great first step, it should lead into lasting attempts at improving our day-to-day habits. Without considering this, it can be easy to fall into the same old unhealthy trends.
It’s good to think about the positive effects of proper healing and deliberate wellness, but if you don’t keep in mind the root of the issue, how can you ever find true resolution?
We don’t have the answer, but we’re hoping you find some sort of inspiration or solace in the pages of our Health & Wellness section this week. Take note of and beware the common themes: overcommitment, emotional toxicity, self-care. Find ways to heal yourself from your roots, not just at the surface level.
