The pursuit of well-being is a multifaceted journey, encompassing not only individual health but also our relationship with the environment and the communities we inhabit. This article explores various aspects of this journey, drawing upon diverse perspectives to offer a holistic understanding of how we can lead healthier, more sustainable lives.
The Foundation of Wellness: Academic Literacy and Informed Choices
Embarking on a path towards wellness requires a foundation of knowledge and critical thinking. Educational programs like First-Year Writing at Moravian University play a crucial role in equipping individuals with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of health and lifestyle choices. These courses, including Writ 101, Writ 105, LinC 101, and Mile 101, introduce students to academic literacy practices that are essential for success in any discipline. They help students transition to college expectations, generate research questions, find and evaluate sources, and make informed decisions about how best to achieve their purposes in various writing situations.
The courses are designed to help students develop the skills of critical reading, research, argumentation, revision, and reflection; and students work collaboratively with classmates, the professor, and the Writing Fellow to improve writing, build community, and explore available campus resources to achieve academic and personal success during their time at Moravian.
The Body as a Site of Exploration: Historical, Social, and Personal Perspectives
Understanding our bodies is fundamental to wellness. However, our perception of the body is not static; it evolves over time, influenced by cultural, social, and scientific advancements. Courses such as MILE 101 G: The Body, delve into the historical and cultural contexts that shape our understanding of the body. We think we know bodies because we have one. We think we know how they move, run, walk, jump, and get tired. We think we know how they consume food and drink, how they shiver and sweat, how they desire rest, and how they get sick. Yet, over the course of history, the body has changed. Knowledge of bodies has changed. The spaces bodies occupy have changed. These courses invite individuals to explore how and why these changes happened, examining topics such as sports, medicine, human health, sex, sexuality, and fashion.
Furthermore, the body is not merely a biological entity; it is also a site of personal and cultural expression. Art, for example, has long been used to communicate ideas about the human body, convey health messages, share stories about community, and impart cultural wisdom. Courses like MILE 101 A: Art Matters: Health, Community and Culture explore the role art plays in numerous facets of our lives. From cave paintings to graffiti, people have been using art to communicate with diverse audiences about events, natural wonders, and issues of social justice. This course engages students in an exploration of the role art plays in numerous facets of our lives. By viewing art and engaging with different writing genres, students will develop a greater understanding of why art matters. Throughout the semester, students will strengthen rhetorical reading skills that will enable them to delve deeply into texts across a variety of genres. Creative and academic writing skills will be strengthened through assignments designed to communicate students’ understanding of art and its impact on the individual and society.
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The Interconnectedness of Food, Environment, and Sustainability
Our dietary choices have a profound impact on both our health and the health of the planet. Courses such as MILE 101 C: Eating for the Planet: Food and Environmental Sustainability, consider how the production, packaging, consumption, and disposal of food contributes to a global environment that is increasingly at risk. Everyone needs to eat, and to eat well. But how should we define “well” when we take into account not just our individual needs but also those of the planet and everything that lives upon it? The human population must make changes to its diet if we hope to mitigate the quickly escalating effects of climate change. Students will consider the connections between sustainable food practices and food justice, and through readings, discussions, and writing assignments will explore how a variety of practices help to create sustainability and equity with regard to food.
Sustainable food practices and food justice are interconnected, and adopting a more mindful approach to eating can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.
The Power of Narrative: Family Stories and Cultural Contexts
Our personal histories are intertwined with larger cultural narratives, shaping our values, perspectives, and understanding of the world. Courses such as MILE 101 B: Narrating the Family Story, acknowledge that personal histories are connected to larger cultural histories beyond us. In 101, we will research and produce academic work that contextualizes students’ family stories using academic sources responsibly (within the considerations of copyright and Creative Commons materials). Students will practice writing in different genres, including writing press releases, critiquing others’ work and developing a supportive community around creative production. We will regularly discuss the ethics of telling others’ stories and considerations of cultural and linguistic contexts.
By exploring our family stories, we can gain insights into the forces that have shaped our lives and the lives of those around us. This understanding fosters empathy, promotes cultural awareness, and strengthens our connection to the communities we inhabit.
Navigating the Digital Landscape: Ethics, Communication, and Creativity
In the digital age, our interactions with technology have a significant impact on our well-being. Courses such as MILE 101 F: Writing in the Digital Age, examine how digital technologies are reshaping the ways we write, communicate, and engage with texts. Students will explore the evolution of writing practices in the context of the internet, social media, and emerging digital platforms. Key topics include digital rhetoric, the ethics of digital communication, and multimodal composition in crafting persuasive and engaging messages in the digital environment. By analyzing digital documents and producing their own, students will gain insight into the complexities of writing in an interconnected world, preparing them to navigate and contribute to the digital landscape with critical awareness and creativity.
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Digital environments also influence specific fandom practices. Additionally, we will explore ethical concerns of censorship, ownership and authorship.
Maintaining Wellness During the Holidays: Mindful Eating and Healthy Habits
The holiday season, while a time for celebration and togetherness, can also present challenges to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The key, Garcia says, is “mindful eating.”“First and foremost, what we want to think about is Thanksgiving, Christmas are two days, not two months. Let’s not let these last two months derail our progress. And it’s also not a time to try to lose weight. It’s time to maintain. Really managing the family parties. Be smart,” he said.
Here are some tips to stay on track during the holidays:
- Mindful Eating: Be present and deliberate about your food choices. Pay attention to your body's signals of hunger and fullness.
- Prioritize Protein and Hydration: Starting the day off with protein is important, as well as hydration.“Eat a high-protein breakfast. Hydrate early. It’s important to do that. Afternoon or once the event starts, enjoy yourself. Just don’t overindulge. Once you’re eating, again, choose protein one plate at a time, only in one sitting,” Garcia said.
- Engage in Physical Activity:Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can help to offset the effects of holiday indulgences. “Take yourself away from the table. Take yourself away from the food. Then afterwards, go for about 10, 15 minute walk. Really get those digestive juices moving and flowing. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your time. Again, don’t overindulge, but enjoy yourself. The holiday parties, too,” Garcia said.
- Focus on Connection: Remember that the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and creating memories. Take the focus away from the food and engage in meaningful conversations and activities.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals: A Lifelong Partnership
Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals is an integral part of the wellness journey. As Dr. Baker explains it, the decision to go forward with surgery for weight loss is a complicated one that is personal for each patient. “What I like most about bariatric surgery is being able to have a long-term relationship with a patient, which is unusual for a surgeon. It’s a lifelong partnership based on mutual trust between the two,” he says. Dr. Baker stressed that “the role of the provider is never to tell a patient what to do.
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