Embrace Your Body
"Radical self-love invites us to love our bodies in a way that
transforms how we understand and accept the bodies of others.” – Sonya Renee Taylor
Close your eyes and imagine a moment when you let your body exist without ridicule, without judgement, without shame, whether you once ran your hand over your fat roll and loved it, or refused to engage in negative self-talk. Yet, we can complicate “body acceptance” to go beyond our physical features and how we so often ridicule the ways our bodies look. What about how we feel in our bodies? Our bodies are more than how we look, it’s also how we feel; our hearts, brains, and organs all deserve love and kindness as well. When we think about “body acceptance,” we must recognize and consider how socioeconomic status, gender, race, orientation, geographic location, genetics, and ability all contribute to our varied bodily experience. We must recognize that some people cannot accept their body. For some, whether through illness or needing to change their bodies, it can feel like their body betrayed them.
Therefore, body acceptance is more than a state of mind about how we look; it is the tangible ways that we accept our bodies and give them what they need. When we feed our bodies, move our bodies, hug and moisturize our bodies, when we talk softly and lovingly to our bodies. When we are given the time, energy, and stamina to care for our bodies we engage in acceptance because we recognize that our bodies deserve love, kindness, and care whether an extra glass of water, a hug that lasts a little longer, or a deep breath. When we feel good in our own bodies, we can extend that compassion and care to others because who wouldn’t want everyone to be in their best, most loving body – no matter what.
-Dr. JoAnna Murphy
Assistant Director of Women's and Inclusion Programs
Office of Social Justice, Inclusion & Conflict Resolution
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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Join us for our FREE six-week Rowan Moves Movement Challenge! We know that getting up and moving can help us feel good and help to elevate our physical health. What better way to jump start your activity than to join your fellow Profs and earn some prizes along the way. Walk, jog, run, or bike each week to earn small prizes (water bottles, sunglasses, etc.) plus a chance to win one of our grand prizes. Each week we will send you a new challenge and some motivation to keep you moving!
To Register: RSVP in Proflink, download the Free Strava App, and Join the Rowan Rec Club.
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The Rowan University Alumni Association and Rowan Campus Recreation invite the community the week of April 18 for our 6th Annual Virtual Run for Rowan 5K. You have an entire week to walk or run 3.1 miles anywhere you wish and post their finish time on Run Sign Up. All runners will also receive a limited edition T-shirt and medal.
The March 1 early bird registration deadline is quickly approaching, so register now! Proceeds benefit Rowan University’s First-Generation Task Force program initiative, Flying First.
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Friday, 2/26 @ 10 a.m.
Nutrition Care Club is proud to present this month's virtual guest speaker Tory Stroker, MS, RD, CDN. Tory is an "anti-diet" Dietitian and Intuitive Eating Counselor. She will be speaking on the principles of intuitive eating and the "Health at Every Size" movement.
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Tuesday, 3/2 @ 12 p.m.
All students are welcome to join us in person for this 45 minute high energy, heart pumping specially themed cycling session to elevate your well-being. Be sure to bring a water bottle. Come rested, hydrated, and ready to move. Pre-registration is required.
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Thursday, 2/25 @ 1 p.m.
Join the Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, in partnership with 1776, for the Making a Maker Series. This session will feature maker Carley Hussain, Owner and Art Director of Parcel Island.
Hussain provides designs and products that bring joy to people's lives, from quirky greeting cards to bold statement prints. The company strives to provide quality and timeless designs that bring a smile to everyone who receives them.
Please RSVP for this event.
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Now more than ever, it’s important that we come together and connect with our fellow Profs! Profs Connect is Rowan University’s very own networking and engagement platform that allows the entire Rowan community to network, build meaningful relationships, give back and more.
All registered users on Profs Connect with profiles indicating “willing to help” or “seeking help” attributes will be entered to win an Apple or Android compatible smart watch! It’s simple—join our community and you could win! One student and one alumnus will be selected after April 30.
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Saturday, 2/27 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Register here & join in the discussion.
Fewer Black men applied to medical school in 2014 than in 1978 and Black men have the lowest life expectancy in the U.S. With only 2% of American doctors being black men, this comes as no surprise. This documentary dissects the systemic barriers preventing Black men from becoming medical doctors and the consequences on society at large. The screening event is full, but join in the panel discussion. This event is supported by the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
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The Rowan SOM Black Collective is hosting Black History Month events with theme of Allyship. All are welcome to join us for this discussion and panel.
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Presented by the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, this training focusing on the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) will take place on March 6th and 7th and will offer online modules, live speakers, and interactive activities. Sponsored by The College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the Rohrer College of Business Center for Responsible Leadership.
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Wednesday, 2/24 @ 7:15 p.m.
Come out to our Black History Month program where we will be playing a fun game of trivia based around Black Women who have had major influence in the world to this day.
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Thursday, 3/4 @ 3 p.m.
The Shreiber Family Pet Therapy Program at Rowan University is holding a "Yappy Hour" and you're invited. Meet some of the therapy dogs and handlers at Rowan University and enjoy some virtual pet therapy regardless of whether you are on campus or living/staying elsewhere. It can be a nice way to meet other animal lovers, and to meet other Rowan community members. Since it is virtual, if people are at home with their own pets, they are welcome to have them join in the fun as well (all species welcome; but, no need to have a pet to join)!
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Monday, 3/8 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join the Office of Social Justice, Inclusion, and Conflict Resolution for our 4th annual Feminist Activist Symposium.
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Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is a digital platform of tools and materials to help you conquer day-to-day struggles around general stressors. It's free and private for the Rowan community: just use your Rowan email to sign up!
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Thursday, 2/25 @ 12 p.m.
Now more than ever, managing our physical and mental health is important—but what about our financial health?
Join us as TD Bank presents an extraordinary panel discussion surrounding financial resiliency. Panelists will share valuable insight and expertise regarding financial planning tips and best practices that are applicable to everyone! This presentation will also offer an open-ended forum covering a wide range of topics, so bring your questions and begin your journey to thriving financially in times of change. Sponsored by the Rowan Women's Alliance Network.
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Thursday, 3/18 from 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. via Zoom
Join us in viewing a short documentary followed by a diverse panel of Rowan students, staff, and alumni discussing mental health in college—the disparities, cultural beliefs, resources available, etc.—and how Rowan is diligently working to meet the needs of its students. Please share this timely event with the students in your classes or individuals you are connected with in the University Community. This event is supported by the Quell Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the Rowan University Wellness Center, the Office of Healthy Campus Initiatives, Rowan Thrive and Rowan Campus Recreation.
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“The Strive to Thrive newsletter intends to bring you well-being ideas, tips, events, information and ways to connect through all dimensions of well-being (physical, social, emotional, purpose, community, and financial). We hope that this layout reminds you of all of the many ways to nourish, attend to, and elevate your well-being and the well-being of those around you.” |
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