Wellness Guides
Wellness Guides
Environmental Health
Environmental health as defined by the World Health Organization addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors.It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments.
(Adopted from World Health Organization)
On-Campus Resources
The Eco Adventure and Wildlife Sanctuary offers students experiences that cultivate awareness of the natural world. This sanctuary consists of trails for running, hiking and bird watching. Eco Adventure also offers students the chance to check out camping gear, kayaks, canoes, and surfboards.
The Ogier Gardens is a one acre organic garden that promotes health and wellness through outdoor recreation, experimental learning and serves students as a living laboratory. Students can volunteer their time to learn new skills, save money on groceries, build their resume or stay active. The garden offers an Adopt-A-Bed program, workshops, potlucks and a garden party held once a year for students enjoyment.
The Environmental Center fosters programs for students, faculty and staff to pursue environmental activities. They also conduct projects involving sustainability and the campus's natural environment.
Mental Health
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health problems are common, but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
On Campus Resources
Recreation and Wellness - Healthy Osprey recognizes that good health begins within from both the physical body and in the thoughts of our mind, therefore we recommend a yoga or meditation class.
Counseling Center - The mission of the Counseling Center is to enhance students' total educational experience by providing a confidential and supportive environment where student concerns can be shared and explored. Center services assist students with their personal development and enhance their potential for academic success.
Sexual Health
Sexual Health is not merely the absence of disease, but is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.
(World Health Organization, 2006)
On Campus Resources
Free Condoms and other preventative contraceptives available in the RecWell Business Office. Need HIV testing? We can help. Just call (904) 620-4769 for an anonymous appointment.
Student Health Services offers students confidential STD (sexually transmitted diseases) screening and treatment at a nominal cost to students.
Social Health
Social Wellness helps you perform social roles effectively and comfortably, and create a support network. This dimension of wellness allows you to not only develop encouraging relationships with peers, but also intimate relationships with romantic partners.
On-Campus Resources
At the UNF Counseling Center you can learn how to increase confidence in social situations by building social skills, the foundation for successful interpersonal relationships.
Intramural Sports is a great way to meet new people and stay active at the same time.
The Osprey Involvement Center aims to enhance the UNF experience through coordinating & promoting the interests of about 200 Clubs.
Physical Health
Setting time aside to be physically active can improve your mental health, boost your confidence, and promote a more positive lifestyle!
Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Exercise has been shown to boost your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. No matter the intensity of the activity, exercise increases the production of endorphins which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain. Participating in some form of physical activity every day is crucial to supporting a healthy metabolism and burning more daily calories while helping you maintain your muscle mass and weight loss.
Do you get the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity every day? The ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) encourages all healthy adults (aged 18 - 65) to participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on five days per week, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes on three days per week. Additionally, every adult should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance for a minimum of two days per week.
On Campus Resources
Group Fitness classes at the UNF Student Wellness Complex
Ready to start exercising but unsure of where to begin? As a student, faculty member, or an Alumni, you can hire a Personal Trainer at a reduced cost.
The Eco Adventure and Wildlife Sanctuary offers students experiences that cultivate awareness of the natural world. This sanctuary consists of trails for running, hiking and bird watching. Eco Adventure also offers students the chance to check out camping gear, kayaks, canoes, and surfboards.
Intramural Sports and Club Sports is a great way to meet new people and stay active at the same time.
A great way to set reliable and realistic goals for Exercise Training while working towards a healthier lifestyle is to start by receiving an accurate assessment of your current body composition with the Recreation and Wellness Bod Pod located in the Paul Shirley Assessment Center.