Published: Oct. 4, 2021

Health and wellness means finding balance and taking care of your physical and mental well-being. Whether it’s setting goals, trying new things or finding ways to prioritize your health, learning what works for you can help create balance in your life. 

Prioritizing your health and well-being can take time. You can start journaling or other self-care activities but remember to be patient with yourself if it’s taking longer to find what works for you. Luckily, there are many opportunities on campus for you to connect with people and organizations if you want to learn and do more for your health and well-being.

Discover campus programs

Now is a great time to learn about programs and opportunities available to support your  health and wellness goals throughout the semester. Here are some places to get started.

Workshops from Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS): CAPS offers a variety of free workshops including Healthy Living, Anxiety Toolbox, Feel Better Fast and more that can provide you with tools and strategies to manage stress and anxiety. Workshops are open to all students and will be virtual.

Meet with a peer wellness coach: A student peer wellness coach can help you set and accomplish your wellness goals throughout the semester. They are familiar with many of the issues college students face, including stress, relationships, time management, careers, academics, finances, sleep, self-care and more.

Mental Health First Aid: Mental Health First Aid training will introduce you to risk factors and warning signs as well as other self-help strategies. You don’t need any previous clinical experience and the training will focus on a 5-step strategy so you can assess and support someone in crisis. 

WellCU: Take part in a variety of health and wellness certificate trainings to learn more about how to be a responsible Buff with sensitive topics. This month's topics include how to have important conversations, responding to trauma in an informed way and partying tips to have a better time and take care of yourself and others. 

SilverCloud Online Mental Health Program: SilverCloud is a confidential online portal that offers free programs for stress, anxiety and depression. Each module offers information, tips and interactive activities to better understand your emotional well-being. This program is free and available to all CU Boulder students, grad students, staff and faculty.

Student Health Board: Apply to the CUSG Student Health Board to work collaboratively with Health and Wellness Services on campus to identify and implement initiatives that create a healthy university community, promote student engagement and provide health education. Meetings are held weekly at Wardenburg Health Center. Any fee-paying student, graduate or undergraduate regardless of major, may become a member of the Student Health Board.

Fitness and Wellness (FitWell): FitWell is committed to providing quality fitness and wellness opportunities that help you build life-long healthy habits, find community and practice self-care. They also offer personal training and other wellness services at the Rec Center Wellness Suite.

: Whether you want to learn more about women’s mental health, mind, body and spirit wellness or want to take up yoga, there’s a club for that! Try searching in the “Recreation and Wellness” or “Religion and Spirituality” to find groups that match your interests and explore new ones.

Attend events

A great way to meet people who share your interests and stay active together is by attending events. Be on the lookout for activities you can be a part of to try new things!

Try things on your own

If you’d like to do more on your own or with a friend, here are a few suggestions for things to try in your own time.

  • Get a free flu shot.
  • Try mindfulness activities on campus or through apps.
  • Be intentional with setting and sticking to a routine.
  • Check out how moving your body can impact your mental health.
  • Set a realistic goal for how often you'd like to be active each week.
  • Call a friend and ask about their life. Connecting with people you care about can go a long way.
  • Disconnect from social media once a week.
  • Choose a day of the week where you treat yourself. Whether you buy a new piece of clothing or you finally sit down to read your favorite book, the day is about you. 
  • Plan an outing with loved ones.
  • Be sure to allot time for your self-care.
  • Try doing activities that allow you to disconnect, recharge and relax. Something as simple as going on a walk, or listening to your favorite song can make a big difference.
  • Reflect on your relationship with alcohol and other substances.
  • Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night by creating a sleep routine.
  • Reach out for support if you’re feeling overwhelmed or notice a friend is struggling.