Wellness Activities Available for BC Students
Not long after opening in 2019, Bluefield College’s new Counseling and Wellness Center introduced a wellness program called “BC Be Well,” a weekly wellness program designed to help students practice self-care.
According to BC’s Emily Cook, director of the new Counseling and Wellness Center, “BC Be Well” features daily wellness activities, some on a regular basis and others that vary in topic and availability.
“For example, we are offering, ‘Mindfulness Mondays’ every Monday this semester where students and employees can join the Zoom session for a guided mindfulness meditation,” Cook said. “Another regularly offered activity is yoga, and it will be offered every other Friday at 2 p.m. in the Student Center. We also partner up with Dave Pedde for Prayer.30 that he offers every week to help stay spiritually well.”
Cook said various other wellness activities — like splatter painting, coffee and conversations, gardening, and scavenger hunts — are scheduled occasionally to meet additional student needs.
“We would love to have students or staff lead wellness activities,” Cook said. “Everyone has passions and interests, and they can share them with others.”
She used Jess Smith, BC’s director of housing, as an example. She said Smith conducts a beginner’s embroidery class this month.
“If anyone has any ideas or would like to lead one, just contact me, and we will make it happen,” Cook said.
Cook said that attendance for each activity varies. Some she said are well attended, while others have had no participation. She said she uses attendance and participant feedback to determine the best programming.
“I try to take all the attendance as feedback to help me see how I can best meet student needs,” Cook said.
Cook said some of the wellness activities give students resources to participate in self-care, while others introduce new ideas or concepts.
“Even if students can’t attend every activity, there is still exposure and conversation about what it means to be well and what it looks like for each person,” she said. “I think all the activities are beneficial in their own way,”
For future wellness activities, Cook hopes that students will be kind to themselves and prioritize their health and wellness.
“Being a college student is very stressful, but being a college student in a pandemic is another level of stress,” Cook said. “I want every student to know it is important to take care of yourself. You matter. We care. Help is here if you need it.”
For more information about “BC Be Well” or other services offered by the the Counseling and Wellness Center, contact Cook by phone at 276-326-4252 or by email at ecook@bluefield.edu, or follow the Wellness Center on Instagram @bcbewell.