Student’s self-care an essential part of maintaining health

In American culture, each generation comes to know certain “buzzwords”: a word or phrase that grabs attention and stimulates conversation such as “rape” or “suicide.”

While studying at a college or university, students are often confronted with the buzzword “self-care.”Between 16 credits of classes, a part-time job, volunteer work and university organizations it can be difficult for students and faculty alike to take time out for themselves, something Waynesburg University’s counselors are openly passionate about.

Jane Owen, who works not only as the director of the counseling center but also as a personal counselor, explained that self-care is a vital part of students’ lives that they often neglect due to various stressors afore mentioned. Waynesburg’s fully-licensed counselors offer professional and free help that has the potential to benefit students’ lives. 

Throughout her years of experience, she has laid out six components for “complete self-care,” the first of which is sleep, “the most important way to improve your well-being.”The second component is stress management, which boils down to “something that you do to be aware of your thought process” and end the perpetual cycle of ruminating thoughts that cause stress.Third is one Owen knows many have heard since childhood. Movement promotes a “mind-body connection” that acts as a coping mechanism, a form of self-regulation that releases endorphins and hormones which boosts mood.

Owen recognizes the fourth component of nutrition is a challenge for a college student, but firmly believes that “when you eat well, you feel better.” It is important to incorporate “colors of the rainbow” in each meal.

Fifth is experiencing healthy emotions, which means “being self-aware, understanding your emotions, leaning into the uncomfortable emotions.” Owen highly recommends watching the Pixar movie “Inside Out” to aid in comprehension of the brain’s handling process of emotionsLastly, Owen said to ground yourself with mindfulness, “being in the present moment, being engaged, working on connections with people, feeling the cold air, looking up at the sky.” Overall, she views it as important to look after yourself because it’s impossible to help others if you’re still struggling.  “If you learn self-care at this age, the rest of your life is going to be so much healthier,” Owen said.

This bit of advice came true for James Herrle, a 1996 alumnus.  He attended Waynesburg University as a student athlete, leading him to create the mindset that he needn’t bother with any sort of counseling. Looking back at his experience, however, Herrle said that “counseling for me was essential to my literal survival.”Herrle had endured a particularly challenging breakup which triggered a downward spiral, and after months of silent suffering, he turned to God and the counseling center.

“The counseling part of my Junior and Senior years was absolutely essential in my healing process and Jane was the very definition of professional and caring,” Herrle said. 

Through the counseling process, Herrle learned the importance of setting aside a daily self-care routine, something that will sustain, encourage and grant focus. Typically, he sticks to five basic ideals: spend time with God, smile and laugh, make gratefulness and thanksgiving a daily focus, participate in enjoyable activities and get out doors, especially in a way that promotes movement.“The thing that sets Waynesburg’s counseling apart is the people,” said Herrle. “It’s that way with everything in life. People like Jane care and the caring heart is like a medicine to people’s souls.

Authenticity comes when a person confronts the truth in themselves that God created you and I for a purpose.”Thanks to the aid he received while attending university, Herrle is married and has four daughters. One of his daughters, Emma Herrle, will become a Waynesburg student in the upcoming fall semester. “Every student should meet with a counselor,” Herrle said. “Finding people who care, that changes things for a young person. That alters the course of people’s lives. That transforms people inside and out.”