In partnership with Indiana University’s school of Public Health, CIP Bloomington has taken a unique and holistic approach to providing students with wellness experiences.
The Partnership
Students participate in group and individual sessions led by wellness coaches who are enrolled in Master's level coursework at IU. Wellness coaches attend supervision sessions with CIP staff weekly and are monitored by IU Professor Dr. Georgia Frey throughout the semester.
Wellness coaches partner with students to create and monitor wellness goals. Student goals include;
- increasing water intake
- trying healthy foods
- tracking steps daily
- and feeling comfortable in the gym
Wellness Coach Vincent Hill comments on working with the students,
“Goal setting is a huge part of wellness because it gives the students purpose and motivation to come to wellness sessions. I believe helping the students set their own wellness goals and seeing them accomplish their goals has been fulfilling to both them and me. I have also learned that tailoring the wellness sessions to each student’s needs and interests is necessary for them to perform at their highest potential.”
Relating to Their Trainers
Students benefit from having someone they can easily relate to provide them with guidance in exploring new activities and environments. For instance, many people are intimidated by gyms and health clubs. Students have expressed that they feel much more comfortable going into these settings with a peer model who provides them with encouragement and eases anxiety they may be experiencing. As we all know, exercise can also be more fun with a partner. Wellness coaches help students to develop a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle by exploring activities that students enjoy as well as developing strategies like creating a playlist for workouts, in order to enhance the experience for students.
Some of the wellness activities include:
- Dance/yoga/fitness workouts
- Outdoor game activities: frisbee/ball play
- Fun outings: urban air/ice skating/walking the B-Line
- YMCA outings: Swimming/basketball
- Mindfulness exercises
- Smallwood fitness center
- Obstacle courses
- Dog walking
- Exploring healthy food options
- Exploring emotional regulation techniques
By helping students establish individualized wellness routines we have seen students make progress in the following areas:
- Increased attendance
- Ability to focus and attend to tasks
- Ability to regulate emotions
- Positive impact on overall health
- Self confidence
- Improved flexibility, balance, and coordination
- Stamina
