January 17, 2023, marked the Health and Wellness Center one year anniversary of moving to the Student Life and Wellness Building. Sharing space in The Well with our partners Career and Civic Engagement and Pensby further supports our efforts to provide holistic health and wellness that is student-centered and that encompasses every aspect of the human experience - mind, body, spirit, and community. The HWC's integrated philosophy is grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to support the ongoing discovery and growth of what health and wellness means to each BMC student. 

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                                        Peer Health and Wellness Educator Spotlight 
"On stressful days, I find myself doing deep breathing exercises. Journaling and drawing have also been really helpful. While working as a PHWE, I have come across many other stress-relieving techniques such as music and art therapy, the 4 4 4 breathing technique, and yoga! This never seemed as important until I learned these things as a PHWE! And my most important tip is to take time for your well-being when your body demands it.” Sinthia Ahammed, PHWE

"Some ways I use to relieve stress include playing guitar at night, inviting friends over for dinner, and face-timing my parents. In general, I don't think my college experience is very stressful, but music, food, and communication are my resorts when I face hard decisions or feel lonely. As an off-campus PHWE, it is sometimes hard to attend to things happening on campus, but when I can those low-key gatherings help me fill in the gap and catch up with friends." 
Jenny Jiang, PHWE
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While self-care plays an important role in supporting holistic health and wellness, research shows that alone it is not enough. Students’ well-being is correlated with the health and wellness of the community within which they are embedded. One of the ways the HWC helps to cultivate a healthy BMC community is by co-sponsoring Wellness Week with our Pensby and Career and Civic Engagement partners. This year, Wellness Week is scheduled for March 20th-25th. It offers the entire BMC community an opportunity to come together to learn about and engage in a variety of holistic wellness practices. Be sure to stay tuned. A full listing of Wellness Week activities will be shared in the coming weeks. I hope to see many of you during Wellness Week. 

Be well, 
Reggie
Associate Dean of Health and Wellness