Auburn University organizations providing resources for mental, physical wellness in new year

As a new year begins, Auburn University is providing services to help students reach both their mental and physical goals. 

Auburn University Health Promotion and Wellness Services, or HPWS, is an organization committed to the betterment of students through education and resources. Services include nutrition counseling, alcohol and drug services, wellness coaching, healthy relationship counseling and bystander intervention. 

Chase Chaplin is at the forefront of HPWS as the coordinator of outreach and peer education. 

“We assist students with their health and wellness goals primarily through our professional services and the Wellness Coaching program,” Chaplin said. “Our peer-based Wellness Coaching program is able to assist students by pairing them with trained peers and working toward a goal that fits within our offices nine dimensions of wellness.”

HPWS teaches students that the nine dimensions of wellness include physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental, occupational, financial and cultural wellness. HPWS provides services pertaining to each dimension.

One of the most dynamic services of HPWS is Active Minds, a student organization with the goal of destigmatizing the conversation around mental health on college campuses. Group membership is open to all Auburn students, and meetings started back for the new year on Jan. 24. 

For reaching physical goals in the new year, Auburn boasts a 240,000-square-foot recreational facility equipped with equipment and amenities for all fitness objectives. The facility includes outdoor sports, group fitness classes, intramural sports, Olympic powerlifting and wellness services. 

All year long, the Recreation and Wellness Center center offers one free class for those interested in trying group fitness classes for the first time. For those looking for something different than the typical group fitness class, the center will host Yoga Rave on March 21. Students are encouraged to come dressed in neon and body paint for this unique yoga experience.

Additionally, the center is offering a new Auburn Strong program, a 12-week health and wellness challenge for students. The program includes semi-private personal training, nutrition consultation, physical assessments, cooking workshops and more.

Auburn exercise science graduate Sarah Goodwin has furthered her passion for fitness through working at the Recreation and Wellness Center as a coordinator and group fitness instructor. 

“The Recreation and Wellness Center helps students find creative and sustainable ways to stay active right now while making real lifestyle changes that can be maintained throughout their life. We help students find their fit and passion for activity,” Goodwin said.

For students like Goodwin interested in working with The Rec, a RECxpo event will be held in March for students to observe different job opportunities at the facility and find what fits them best. 

For more information on Health Promotion and Wellness services, anyone interested may visit the new location in the Student Center Suite 1115, email HPWS@auburn.edu or visit its website. More information on the Recreation and Wellness Center can be found on its website or by contacting campusrec@auburn.edu. The facility is located at 601 Heisman Drive. 

HPWS and the Recreation and Wellness Center post regular updates on their social media platforms. Most up-to-date information can be found on @auburncampusrec and @auburnhealth on Instagram and Facebook.