Our Approach to Wellness

Wellness is not one thing you either have or do not have. It is made up of several interconnected parts of life, and strengthening one often supports the others. Our approach at the Wellness Resource Center is built around eight dimensions of wellness, adapted from SAMHSA's framework in Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness. These dimensions shape our programming, our conversations with students, and the resources we build for the Temple community.

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Each dimension below plays a role in how you experience daily life on campus. You do not need to work on all eight at once. Start wherever feels most relevant to you right now.

Emotion

Managing stress, expressing feelings, and making room for joy.

Physical

Sleep, nutrition, movement, and preventive care for your body.

Occupation

Finding purpose and satisfaction in your work and studies.

Intellect

Staying curios, learning, and engaging new perspectives.

Finance

Understanding your money to make confident, low-stress choices.

Social

Building healthy relationships with friends, family, community.

Environs

Feeling safe and supported by where you live and work.

Spiritual

Finding meaning, purpose, and peace in your own way.

Wellness in the Classroom: A Guide for Faculty

Wellness support starts in the classroom. Faculty see students more consistently than almost anyone else on campus, which makes the classroom one of the most powerful places to normalize conversations about well-being. Small, low-lift additions to how you run your course can make a real difference in whether a struggling student reaches out for support.

Ways to Embed Wellness into Your Curriculum

Add a wellness statement to your syllabus that names campus wellbeing services like the Wellness Resource Center, Essential Needs Hub, Tuttleman Counseling services, and others. For a full list of available resources for students visit our Resources page.
Open classes with a brief check-in during high-stress points of the semester, such as midterms or finals, rather than jumping straight into content.
Normalize talking about workload and stress openly, so students see that struggling is common rather than something to hide.
Invite WRC staff or peers to guest present on a topic relevant to your course or to your students' needs. Visit our Request a Peer Program page to see a list of offerings.
Offer a small amount of extra credit for verified engagement with a wellness resource or event.

Offer Extra Credit for Wellness Engagement

Extra credit is one of the most effective ways to get students to actually use wellness resources rather than just hear about them. Below is sample language faculty can adapt for a syllabus or course announcement.

Sample Syllabus Language

"Students can earn [x point / x% of a participation grade] by attending one Wellness Resource Center event or workshop this semester and submitting [a short reflection / an attendance confirmation] by [specified date]. A current list of eligible events is available at the Wellness Resource Center's Events page."

Adjust the point value, deadline, and verification method to fit your course. The WRC can provide attendance confirmations or a signed handout for students to submit as proof upon request.

Wellbeing Newsletters

The Wellness Resource Center offers newsletters that cover well-being tips, resources, and upcoming events. You can access these newsletters using the following link to stay updated on well-being initiatives: Latest News | Wellness Resource Center.

Faculty & Staff Resources

Visit our Faculty and Staff Resource page for trainings and helpful resources to help you feel equipped to support students' wellness.

Wellness Resource Center