What is Physical Wellness?

Physical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning. It involves routinely carrying out behaviors that have a significant impact on our wellness (routine check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, etc.) while avoiding destructive habits (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.).

A few ways to get started with managing your physical wellness include:

• Exercising good ergonomics
• Practicing isometric exercises
• Eating foods high in brain-friendly nutrients

Learn more and access ASDA resources here.

Join the Mile-A-Day Challenge

Due to COVID-19, many in-person classes, meetings, and personal events have transitioned to a virtual format, which has led to decreased overall physical activity for many people. This year with the support of ADA Members Insurance Plans, ASDA is excited to introduce an all-new Mile-A-Day Challenge.

Participate in the Mile-A-Day Challenge for a chance to win individual and chapter prizes.

Total Miles by Chapter: Sept. 1 – 6

Total Miles by Chapter: Sept. 7 – 13

Total Miles by Chapter: Sept. 14 – 20

Submit Week 4 Mile Count: Sept. 21 – 27

You can get rewarded for taking active breaks throughout the day, so step away for your desk for a while and get moving. Log the number of miles you walk each week to be entered into a random drawing for prizes*.  Each week the individual winner will receive a $50 gift card to one of the following vendors of their choosing:

• Nike
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Under Armour
• Lululemon

At the end of the month, ASDA will award a $250 Amazon gift card to the ASDA chapter with the highest average mile count by total membership and the highest average mile count across those participating from each chapter. These averages are based on your chapter members’ individual submissions, so make sure you encourage your full chapter to participate!

*Members must walk at least 1 mile per day and submit their total weekly mile count by Monday at 9:00 am CDT each week in order to be eligible to win. Winners will be announced each week on Monday afternoon. You may only win once. 

What is Emotional Wellness?

Emotional wellness concerns your ability to express your feelings, cope with stress, maintain satisfying relationships and deal with conflict. It encompasses optimism, self-esteem and self-acceptance. It involves cultivating a positive attitude, but being attentive to your negative feelings as well.

Learn more and access ASDA resources here.

Combat Feelings of Self-Doubt

Are you feeling nervous about the upcoming school year and experiencing feelings of self-doubt or that you aren’t as deserving of your accomplishments as others in your class? These feelings can be related to imposter syndrome, which may be amplified by the uncertainty surrounding your upcoming school year. It’s important to be able to recognize the signs and effects of imposter syndrome in your daily routine to address and prevent it in the future. Read more about how imposter syndrome can effect pre-dental and dental students alike in these ASDA Blog articles:

https://www.asdablog.com/you-are-not-an-imposter/

https://www.asdablog.com/impostor-syndrome-in-dental-students 

What is Intellectual Wellness?

Intellectual wellness encourages us to engage in creative and mentally stimulating activities. It involves actively participating in educational, cultural and community events and combining life lessons with those learned in the classroom. It’s about nurturing curiosity and lifelong learning.

Learn more and access ASDA resources here.

Change Your Focus

It’s important to engage in creative and mentally-stimulating activities during the week to maintain your wellness and productivity. In today’s environment, with many classes and coursework being conducted virtually, it can be challenging to take those breaks and set boundaries between school and personal time. Take a break and focus your attention on other mentally-stimulating activities outside of coursework or clinical work.

Did you know that September is the annual wellness issue of Contour? Get the inside scoop about the issue from a couple of our authors in the Contour Highlight Reel. Follow us on Instagram (@dentalstudents) and watch for the Contour Video Reel on September 15. Then take a mental break and read the full issue! 

What is Environmental Wellness?

Environmental wellness refers to your relationship to your surroundings, both your immediate surroundings and the world at large. It’s about finding harmony with the natural world and understanding your impact on it.

Learn more and access ASDA resources here.

Live Sustainably

Many chapter service events and opportunities were postponed this spring and summer due to the pandemic. Though you may not be able to offer a helping hand in the same way, there are other opportunities to stay connected with your local and global community by serving the environment and living sustainably.

Want to learn how you can live more sustainably as a dental student? Watch for our top 10 tips on Instagram (@dentalstudents) on September 22. 

What is Occupational Wellness?

Occupational wellness entails seeking personal satisfaction and enrichment while being fully engaged in your work. It refers to developing work-life balance, managing working relationships and having enthusiasm for your job. It also means constantly developing the skills required to do your work well.

Learn more and access ASDA resources here.

Don’t Break Your (ASDA) Fever

Staying engaged with your classes or clinical work can be challenging enough during “normal” times. Trying to maintain enthusiasm for your profession if you’re seeing a reduced number of patients or have limited interaction with others altogether is another challenge entirely.

Join ASDA alumni on September 29 as they share their first-hand experiences with student burnout. Learn how they overcame burnout and gain insights to how you can maintain your ASDA Fever and enthusiasm for your career.

As a proud sponsor of the ASDA wellness initiative, ADA Members Insurance Plans not only wants you to focus on your physical, mental and emotional wellness but your financial wellness too. One of the most tangible benefits of ADA student membership is the eligibility for the ADA no-cost life and disability insurance while completing your dental education – including your D1 thru D4 years and post-doc residency programs.

Ready to take the next step to protect your future career? This step-by-step guide will show you how to manage your coverage each year of dental school.

The ADA Members Insurance Plans commitment to ASDA is long-standing. They developed a resource-filled website just for ASDA members. Materials include articles, recipes and exercises like: Sit up, Stand up: Perfect your posture. Review all the valuable resources at www.bringhealthyon.com.