As reminder, Ohio State outlines 10 dimensions of wellness: Career, Creative, Digital, Emotional, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Physical, Social, and Spiritual. All of these dimensions impact each other in various ways, which influences your overall personal wellness. This months focus is on Physical Wellness, and what a better time than the month that Summer officially begins!
Physical wellness is not just about “looking good” or hitting your fitness goals. When we invest in our physical health through regular movement, getting proper nutrition, and getting true rest, we impact our mental, emotional, and social wellness in many ways.
Have you ever worked out, or gone for a walk, and feel really good afterwards? Or maybe you have heard a friend talk about, or you yourself, experience a “runner’s high.” This is that mind-body connection at work! Our brains influence so much more than just our thinking– it impacts our response to stress, and our ability to get a good nights rest. When we engage in exercise, our body releases endorphins which help to elevate our mood, and lower cortisol levels, which decrease stress and anxiety (Mayo Clinic, 2025).
Most healthy adults should engage in about 150 minutes of exercise per week. Now, some of you may groan or maybe you just don’t feel that you have the time to get that much exercise in during the week. We turned to the Wellnessteam to find some ways that they “sneak” physical activity into their day. See our suggestions below:
- If possible, use the stairs instead of the elevator
- Stand up and do a few squats every hour at your desk
- Get some exercise in at your desk by doing some arm raises, shoulder stretches, and elevated push ups on the edge of your desk.
- Go across the building to fill up water bottle instead of the fountain close to your office
- Check the weather from the window across the building
- Go to the restroom on a different floor to get some steps in on the stairs
- Join the Wellness Team for walks on Mondays and Fridays to not only engage in physical wellness, but also social wellness
Remember, when we prioritize physical wellness, we’re not just improving our bodies, but creating positive changes that flow into every other dimension of our lives. Better sleep leads to improved emotional regulation. Increased energy enhances our creative and intellectual capacities. Moving our bodies ca even strengthen our social connections when we exercise with others.