Math Wellness Resources

The dimension of cultural wellness focuses on embracing a lifestyle that supports cultural diversity within your community. Practicing cultural wellness means being accepting of, seeing the value in, and celebrating the beliefs, traditions, and ritual practices of different cultural, racial, and ethnic groups, backgrounds, lifestyles, genders, abilities, and ages. A person who is culturally well will express empathy and compassion for others, an appreciation for inclusivity, and respect for different ways of being that are not their own.

Cultural wellness includes

• Promoting a positive, inclusive, and equitable environment.

• Accepting, valuing, and celebrating your own cultural identity and the cultural identity of others.

• Supporting fairness and justice for all in your community.

• Identifying and eliminating inappropriate behaviour, stereotypes, and biases within your community.

Strategies

• Participate in diversity training to broaden your understanding of equity, and to develop tools that will help you create equitable and inclusive environments.

• Seek out opportunities to meet, interact, and connect with people from different cultural backgrounds to build up your own knowledge of other cultures and identities.

• Recognize your own unconscious biases and take practical steps to change your lens.

• Prioritize inclusivity by investing time and resources to change policies, practices, and your behaviours to be inclusive.

• Commit to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in your community.

Spotlight point: promoting a positive, inclusive, and equitable environment

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
AccessAbility Services UWaterloo Chaplains Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office of Indigenous Relations SSO Exchange and Study Abroad Co-op Working Abroad WUSA Student Clubs and Service	ACB (African, Caribbean, Black) Network of Waterloo Region Anishnabeg Outreach Métis Nation of Ontario Grand River Métis Council Rainbow Community Council (RCC) SPECTRUM (Waterloo Region’s Rainbow community space)

For more information about cultural wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of emotional wellness focuses on your awareness of and ability to freely express, manage and share feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Practicing emotional wellness means developing the necessary abilities to cope with life’s challenges, the ability to assess your own strengths and limitations, to work productively, and to think positively about yourself and others. This allows you to live an engaged life that includes intimacy, independence, and interdependence.

Emotional wellness includes

• Being self-aware; the ability to recognize your and others' emotions, understand your feelings, values, and attitudes, accepting yourself and forgiving yourself, and maintaining an optimistic attitude and healthy self-esteem.

• Practicing stress management techniques to actively manage and cope with stress, irritations, and crises.

• Accepting support and assistance from others and providing support and assistance to others when able.

Strategies

• Discuss your feelings with a friend, a peer support volunteer, or a licensed professional to support positive emotional wellness.

• Practice empathy; recognize and consider your feelings and the feelings of others.

• Embrace your true self; live your life as your most authentic self and surround yourself with others who will love and support your authentic self.

• Practice maintaining a positive attitude and showing gratitude to those around you to build stronger and healthier relationships.

• Use your mistakes as a learning opportunity. Focus on the things you did well or the aspects you can learn from or improve on next time.

Spotlight point: being self-aware

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Counseling Services WUSA Peer Support Services Mental Health Training Group Therapy and Workshops Centre for Mental Health Research and treatment Student Wellness	Empower Me Good2Talk Here 24/7

For more information about emotional wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of environmental wellness focuses on your ability to live a life that is respectful of the environment and of your surroundings and to value the interconnections between people and the environment. It encourages you to be mindful and respectful of how your actions impact the natural world around you. It also reinforces the need for connectivity between individuals, societies, and the natural world. Practicing environmental wellness means maximizing harmony with the earth, taking action to protect it, and minimizing the harm done to the environment. This can be done through embracing environmentally friendly habits: i.e., recycling, plantinga personal or community garden, purchasing products with minimal packaging, avoid littering, etc.

Environmental wellness includes

• Practicing sustainable behaviours: recycling, purchasing products with minimal packaging, avoid littering, etc.

• Caring for nature and advocating for its protection.

• Being an active member in your community.

• Spending time in nature or in green spaces.

Strategies

• Educate yourself on sustainability and environmental issues.

• Talk about environmental issues; it will take a community to make a positive environmental change, so make it part of the conversation with friends, family, and co-workers.

• Get involved in the fight against environmental issues; join a student group or club focused on sustainability.

Spotlight point: sustainability

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Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Sustainability Guide Sustainability Diploma Sustainability Certificate A-Z Sorting Guide SDSN Youth Sustainability Student Groups Green Residence program Living Planet @ Campus program Office of Indigenous Relations Environmental Sustainability Strategy Environmental Sustainability Reports	Carbon Footprint Calculator Ecological Footprint Calculator Reep Green Solutions Sustainable Waterloo Region In the Zone by WWF Canada Rare Charitable Research Reserve Energy Conservation Handbook by Waterloo North Hydro Youth Action on Climate Change

For more information about environmental wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of financial wellness focuses on your overall financial health and ability to manage your financial responsibilities and achieve a feeling of satisfaction when thinking about your current and future financial situation. Practicing financial wellness means being financially responsible and independent, making your finances work for you, preparing for stressful financial situations in the future, and developing financially smart habits. A person who is financially well can manage their day-to-day finances with reduced time, effort, and stress.

Financial wellness includes

• Developing a budget.

• Starting a savings account and adding to it every month and saving some of your income in an emergency account.

• Tracking your spending to see where your money is going and setting goals based on findings.

• Practicing smart spending decisions (e.g., cooking your own meals instead of dining out, limiting unnecessary expenses, etc.).

Strategies

• Create your own budget and plan by reviewing your previous year’s expenses and determine your upcoming annual expenses.

• Put aside money each month for your future - this is especially important for your long-term financial wellness.

• Use tools such as online banking applications to help budget and follow your financial strategies.

Spotlight point: developing a household budget

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Budgeting Basics Student budget calculator Tackling your taxes Budgeting for your first year of university Tax Clinic	Financial literacy resources Financial Literacy for Everyone Financial well-being and its benefits Money and finances Get smart about your money

For more information about financial wellness, read Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of physical wellness focuses on maintaining a healthy life by making healthy lifestyle choices. Practicing physical wellness means acknowledging the importance of taking care of your physical body, considering how your daily habits and behaviours impact your overall health and well-being, and taking action to alter your lifestyle choices to incorporate healthy habits. A person who is physically well sees psychological benefits including enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination, and a sense of direction, as well as physical benefits such as preventing illness and injury.

Physical wellness includes

• Being physically active.

• Maintaining a nutritious diet and staying hydrated.

• Maintaining healthy sleeping routines.

• Maintaining personal hygiene.

• Practicing safe sex.

• Getting regular medical check-ups and screenings and recognizing and responding to illness and disease.

Strategies

• Practice personal wellness by doing activities you enjoy.

• Get active by taking movement breaks, going for walks, working out, etc.

• Consider nutrition by eating balanced meals, making healthier food choices, etc.

• Make healthy lifestyle decisions about the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs.

Spotlight point: being physically active

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Fitness Classes Intramurals Move your mind E-sports (Intramurals) Substance Use and Harm Reduction Sexual Health Physical Activity Physical Health	Region of Waterloo Health Services and Resources Canadian Public Health Association Health Services Canada

For more information about physical wellness, read through Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of intellectual wellness focuses on engaging in a lifelong journey of mental stimulation and growth. This dimension includes challenging your intellectual abilities and expanding your mind by enhancing your knowledge and skillsets by fostering curiosity, exploring new subject matter, and embracing a desire to be creative and innovative. A person who is intellectually well can think critically and engage in educated debates with peers, family, and friends.

Intellectual wellness includes

• Practicing metacognition

• Understanding how you think and learn

• Fostering curiosity and a desire to explore new ideas

• Challenging yourself to learn a new hobby or skill

• Expanding your knowledge and appreciation of different cultures and their beliefs, values, and expression

Strategies

• Set goals and create a learning plan to identify relationships, and monitor your own strengths and weaknesses as a learner.

• Evaluate your results and strategies after learning outcomes to modify or develop new strategies as needed.

• Review the feedback you receive on assignments and tests and review posted solutions.

• Use your downtime to discover new interests and hobbies to stimulate your brain and learn a new skill set.

Spotlight point: the importance of metacognition

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Peer Success Coaching Tutor Connect Learning Resources Goal setting Critical Thinking Tips for Students Learning Styles Math Assignment	Thinking about your thinking Obtaining higher learning Embracing Failure

For more information about intellectual wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of relational wellness focuses on your ability to find harmony in your life by fostering genuine connections and building healthy relationships with individuals. This dimension is also known as social wellness. Practicing relational wellness means building a better living space and community by developing and maintaining personal relationships, enhancing your social skills, and actively improving your social habits. A person who is relationally well will develop strong relationships with other individuals, groups, and communities, who can offer support during challenging times. They will also have strong self-esteem and self-confidence, be able to recognize their own importance within society, and be able to build emotional resiliency.

Relational wellness includes

• Building healthy relationships and recognizing the need to connect with other individuals, groups, and communities.

• Practicing effective communication skills by addressing issues that arise within relationships and being able to compromise.

• Balancing your social life with work and education.

Strategies

• Maintain a friendly attitude and demeanor and show love, compassion, and patience to others, especially those who are struggling.

• Be realistic about your expectations for yourself and others, putting unrealistic expectations on yourself or others may put a strain on your relationships.

• Get involved by volunteering for an organization in your community that you are passionate about or based on your hobbies and interests.

• Improve your communication skills by developing better listening skills. To be able to communicate effectively, you must first be able to pick up on the emotions and feelings of others.

Spotlight point: the importance of building friendships

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
Social and Spiritual Health Intramurals Intramural ESports WUSA Club Music Ensembles MathSoc Math Graduate Student Association	Waterloo Volunteer Opportunities Community Gardens Kitchener Volunteer Opportunities Social Groups in Waterloo Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions

For more information about relational wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of spiritual wellness focuses on the search for meaning and purpose in life and involves finding direction for your life. Practicing spiritual wellness means striving for consistency within your values and beliefs, establishing peace and harmony in your life, and taking action to alter your lifestyle choices to incorporate spiritual practice. A person who is spiritually well will be stable and resilient during periods of change and adversity.

Spiritual wellness includes

• Developing your personal belief system; understanding your own motivations and what inspires you.

• Dedicating time for self-reflection, meditation, and/or prayer.

• Participating in ritual/liturgical practices and spiritual communities, developing relationships of faith, and sharing your beliefs with others.

Strategies

• Take the time to explore who you are and find your purpose through spiritual and religious practices. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of life, values, beliefs, and hope – which are a critical part of identity formation.

• Connect with others through spiritual and religious practice to reduce isolation, raise self-esteem, find social supports in times of adversity, and feel a sense of belonging.

• Engage in ritual moments to anchor spiritual wellness in your communities. Dedicate time for you to participate in ritual moments to enrich your life.

• Dedicate time to practice mindful activities such as prayer, yoga, mindful listening, walking, etc to empower yourself with knowledge and wisdom that builds your awareness.

Spotlight point: your personal belief system

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources	Off-Campus resources
UWaterloo Chaplains Multi-faith Spaces Social and Spiritual Health Spiritual Wellness	Places of worship in Waterloo Kitchener Waterloo Spiritual Experiences Group

For more information about spiritual wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.

The dimension of vocational wellness focuses on your ability to lead a life that makes you feel enrichment, fulfillment, and satisfaction from your work, career, and studies. Practicing vocational wellness means that you are aligning your principles, values, interests, beliefs, and passions to your work while fostering a work-life balance. A person who is vocationally well will experience higher job satisfaction, take on new challenges and expand their job-related skills.

Vocational wellness includes

• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Understanding your strengths, skills, abilities, beliefs, interests, passions and aligning them appropriately with your work, studies, and career.

• Finding a mentor who can provide professional guidance and career advice.

• Seeking out new opportunities such as professional development training or a new position to develop a more diverse skillset and advance your career.

• Create a clear vision for your future and remain open to change.

Strategies

• Set goals for yourself - this gives you something to work toward and will provide you with purpose.

• Practice time management techniques to help you stay focused to accomplish what is needed.

• Take the time to attend conferences, seminars, or workshops that will help you build new skills.

• Take breaks to improve your performance, reduce stress and anxiety, and help to refocus your mind.

Spotlight point: maintaining a healthy work-life balance

View the Spotlight point.

Resources

Campus resources
Centre for Career Action AccessAbility Services Peer Success Coaching Counselling Services UW Mates CareerHub Online Learning Resource Employee Learning Development at Waterloo Work from home and remote resources

For more information about vocational wellness, read the Mathie Wellness Handbook.