Well-Being and Sustainability Conversation

To me, well-being is the umbrella-term that takes into account any and all aspects that are crucial to living your life. Well-being takes into account your physical health, your emotional health, spiritual health, relational health, mental health, financial health; it takes into account your environment and your support systems, it takes into account your community, culture, country; it takes into account the state of our world. In short, well-being is how an individual is feeling about the combination of everything happening in the world. Just as plants need a balance of water, sun, and nutrients, a person's well-being is dependent on a combination of taking care of yourself (relaxing, reading, exercising, cooking), taking care of others (supporting friends, families, pets, strangers), and taking care of the world around us (if the current state of the world is affecting our well-being, the best cure is to take action: communicate, educate, volunteer). ~ Ben Eglash, Administration and Finance

Well-being means feeling a sense of calm, alignment, and fulfillment in most or all aspects of life. This supposes that one has a level of good health, enjoys their work, feels a sense of contribution to something larger, their basic needs are met, and they have emotional support and love from friends and family. I make time for exercise, meditation, walking outdoors, try to eat well, and do things that I enjoy, like pottery and music to maintain balance. Personal well-being means you can show up fully for others. ~ Christina, Graduate School Faculty Member

Well-being is a state of mind.  It means personally prioritizing my health and ensuring that I am fit both mentally and physically, which enables me to give my best effort professionally within my role at UMB. ~ Ron Eshleman, Administration and Finance

Well-being means finding the balance between work, family, friends, and taking care of myself. ~ Chris Pollock, School of Medicine

For me, personal well-being is feeling balanced, fulfilled, and at peace in all aspects of my life, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, relationships, a sense of purpose, and personal growth.  One way I prioritize well-being is carving out time for the activities and relationships that nourish me.  I am trying to do a better job with building consistent habits and balancing productivity with rest.  I also try to check in with myself regularly and reflect on any adjustments that might be needed in my life. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine

Well-being is the sense of being safe. Your relationships should provide a sense of safety to be who you are and not what others expect you to be. Family, friends, colleagues and community are social connects from which this sense stems. These components of social connection are what supports your well-being. When one is off, they all are off. A balance is required to accomplish a real sense of wellbeing. This is not because of who they are but instead the choices you have made. It is difficult sometimes but there must be a divide from those who challenge your wellbeing and those who nurture it. We can't always select the relationship but we can select not to involve ourselves in those interactions that threatens our wellbeing. ~ Staff Member, School of Medicine

An interdisciplinary UMB faculty consortium is working together to teach a course on Climate Change, Health, and Society (CIPP650) to build connections among the different UMB schools, other USM campuses, stakeholders, and the community. Students and faculty in the course work together in interprofessional teams to address some of the challenges from the climate crisis in the community and state of Maryland. This helps to enhance our sense of well-being and sustainability, making Baltimore stronger and more climate resilient. We invite everyone to get involved! ~ Shiladitya DasSarma, School of Medicine Faculty

Positive relationships foster feelings of connection and a sense of belonging, enhance happiness, and offer a safe space to share experiences and navigate challenges. My relationships help me feel more grounded and fulfilled. A strong, supportive network can benefit my mental and physical health. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine Staff

Sustainability means making choices that prioritize the long-term health of the planet, as well as myself and that of future generations. It involves being mindful of how I consume resources, reducing waste, and supporting practices that protect the environment. This could include actions like conserving energy and water, minimizing single-use plastics, recycling, choosing sustainable products, and supporting local businesses. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine Staff

Yes, education plays a vital role in promoting sustainability by raising awareness, fostering understanding, and equipping individuals with the knowledge needed to make sustainable choices. It helps people understand the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems and empowers them to take action to address issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequity. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine Staff

One action I can take this week is starting a daily gratitude journal. Each day I can take a few moments to reflect and write down three things I am grateful for, big or small. This practice can help deepen my appreciation for all the good in my life. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine Staff

If possible, a daily routine for sleep is desirable, and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps with my overall well-being and feeling my best. If I don't get enough sleep, it's reflected in my mood and mental sharpness throughout the day. Life happens, and sleep patterns sometimes change unwillingly, but a persistent pattern of sleep habits can improve quality of life. ~ Ron Eshleman, Administration and Finance Staff

The quality of sleep I get definitely affects my overall well-being. If I sleep poorly, I have trouble functioning throughout the next day. Concentrating is difficult, and I am more likely to snap at others due to increased stress. On the other hand, I am much more productive and pleasant to be around if I get a good night's rest.

One action I can take this week to improve my sleep habits is to reduce my screentime before bed and to incorporate a relaxing activity to wind down, such as reading or meditating. ~ Carey Martin, School of Medicine Staff

This week I will reduce my carbon footprint and promote sustainability by planning my meals carefully and specifically to actively minimize food waste by buying only what is needed, using leftover creatively and composting any food scraps that can't be used to help prep for Spring gardening. ~ Amarylis Velasco, University of Maryland Medical Center Staff

This is not a personal response, it's a question for the university as a whole: How do we square promoting the use of AI in all aspects of the workplace when we know that a simple Chat GPT query uses (I read) ten times the energy of a Google/Bing/DuckDuckGo search? Data Centers are environmental nightmares. More and more of them will be required as increased numbers of workers employ AI in their daily work in addition to the large-scale use planned for healthcare, etc. I understand that use in healthcare 'improves the human condition.' However it seems to simultaneously hurt the human and environmental condition. Seems this should be considered in the Core Values Sustainability discussions. ~ School of Medicine Staff Member