Body | Include Your Physical Health in Mental-Health Care
Your body is an expression of beauty and complexity. So is your mind. In fact, the two are so closely linked that some researchers argue that the two cannot be separated. They propose that the body is the mind, because our self-awareness (our consciousness) resides in and conveys itself through a physical body.
No matter what you believe, we encourage you to honor both the body and mind at the same time. Pay attention to how you feel emotionally and intellectually when you take care of your body—when you exercise, sleep regularly, breathe deeply and intentionally, and eat and drink nutritious foods. Also, pay attention to how you feel physically when you take care of your mind—when you experience and express emotions and thoughts of peace, joy, gratitude, flexibility, and unconditional love.
This section of the website inspires you to include physical health as an essential partner for mental health and academic success. Learn some simple strategies. Make use of free facilities and resources on the NC State campus. For starters, take several breaks every day and walk our tree-lined paths!
Basic Needs
For those who need help with basic needs like food, clothing, housing, medicine, and transportation, NC State has several on-campus resources that might help, including the following:
- Food pantry
- Childcare services
- Counseling services
- Transportation subsidies
Talk to a Resource Navigator in Student Support Services if you think you might need this kind of assistance. We also provide referrals to off-campus community services that can help.
Daily Habits
There are many good habits, practices, and activities for maintaining wellness and physical health and recovering balance when you feel a little off-your-game or stressed. There’s no way to list them all. But there are a few to consider.
Recreation Center
NC State College has a partnership with Ohio State University (OSU)-Mansfield through the department of Student Life & Engagement to provide students with free access to a recreation center, recreational activities, and student groups. Make use of a variety of services, events, and groups that inspire, energize, and promote healthy living. Some examples of wellness activities and services include the following:
- Intramurals
- Bike-share program
- Outdoor recreation
- Fitness classes like karate, yoga, rock-out workouts, dance-based stretching
- Mind-body meditation
- Mindfulness stress reduction
- Disability services
- Student groups and organizations
Manage Stress
Research shows that low-to-moderate levels of stress are an important part of healthy development and education. However, constant intense stress (toxic stress) weakens the immune system, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, mental health, and physical health. Stress may negatively impact the normal functions of the body that we take for granted every day, such as breathing, heart rate and blood circulation, digestion of food, and the function of nerves and muscles, among others. Stress may also negatively impact chronic health conditions.
Develop a few good daily habits to reduce and manage your stress responses to life circumstances, including college coursework.
Regular Check-Ups
It is important to pay attention to your physical health. One way to do this is to give up smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise more, sleep more, and improve your nutrition (diet). Another way to manage your physical health is to visit a primary care physician or nurse practitioner regularly (at least once a year) for a check-up of vital signs, such as
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar levels
- Heart rate
- Cholesterol
- Oxygen levels (breathing capacity)
- Weight
- Vision
- Nerve reflexes
Chronic Health Concerns
Regular visits to a doctor are especially important for managing chronic health condition, such as
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Hepatitis
- Weight conditions (e.g., obesity)
- Others
Health Clinics
Many Ohio counties and major cities have clinics that provide primary healthcare services whether you have Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, or no insurance. They may even have pharmacy services that provide medications at little or no cost. Residents of Richland County, Ohio can schedule an appointment at the Richland Public Health Clinic, which provides non-emergency public healthcare services for people of all ages. Services are available by appointment. In addition, nurses provide immunizations for children as well as pre-natal, well-child, and school-based services. The Clinic is also staffed by a health educator, social worker, and dietitian.
For more information about free and income-based health services in Ashland, Crawford, and Richland counties, see the “Resources” page. Or contact the department of public health in the county where you live.