Issue link: http://ncumarketing.uberflip.com/i/1471681
In this issue of the Northcentral University Psychological Association Bulletin, we hope to provide insight into nurturing our health and wellness by highlighting some resources available to students. We'll introduce NCU's brand-new Virtual Center for Health and Wellness and provide an interview with the director, Dr. Aurélia Bickler. Dr. Bickler will tell us what the VCHW is all about and what exciting things we can expect to see in the future. As student editor, I'd like to take this opportunity to share some of what I do in my personal life to foster health and wellness. I am a certified holistic health and wellness coach and holistic nutritionist, so I subscribe to the notion that wellness includes physical, emotional, social, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual components (National Wellness Institute, n.d.). I fuel my body with a plant-based diet, exercise regularly, obtain adequate sleep, and socialize with friends and family as often as possible. When I need quiet time away from the office setting, I go to one of the many local parks in my community, where I have found that fresh air and scenery help refocus my energy on the task at hand. Another way that I have achieved a sense of balance in my life is by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness involves focusing attention on the present moment and acknowledging thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise without judgment (Hocevar, 2020). I start each morning with a mindful moment, concentrating just on my breathing before I allow myself to pick up the phone and check emails. By taking those few minutes at the beginning of the day, I can move forward with the afternoon feeling centered and energized. Mindfulness has been a useful tool for managing stressful situations at work, school, and home. Many mindfulness apps are available for download that offer breathing timers, body scans, and guided meditations if you are new to the practice and need some additional guidance. While I hope some of the resources in this bulletin will be useful, wellness is a personal journey. What works for one person may not work for another. I'd encourage each of our readers to find their own version of a mindful moment, whether that is an evening yoga class, coffee on the back porch, singing in the church choir, a morning run, walking the dogs, playing with the kids before tackling the week's assignment, or utilizing the services of the VCHW. Whatever you choose, NCU is here to support you along the path to personal wellness and academic success. Until our next issue, be well! Hocevar, R. (2020). Mindfulness. Salem Press Encyclopedia. National Wellness Institute. (n.d.). The six dimensions of wellness. https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/ 3 Northcentral University Psychology Bulletin