Today contributor Donna Farizan spoke to college students about how they boost their well-being and find happiness. One student noted that serving others made them the happiest. “I think that when you take time to give back to our community, to give back to our loved ones, that’s the most rewarding experience.”

Father Marcotte then joined Today’s Hoda Kotb and Willie Geist to talk about how we can all be our best selves.”We need to cultivate skills to live a happy life,” he said. “How do we do that? Keep a calm mind, a positive outlook, build resilience, and be generous.”

Watch the full clip here. 

Wellness Manager in the Office of Human Resources Management

WHAT SHE DOES

“My role as the wellness manager is to promote the health and well-being of Fordham’s faculty, staff, and administration.”

TURNING PASSION INTO A CAREER

“My first career was in commercial real estate in Manhattan. I always took classes in nutrition while working in real estate because it was my passion and then after I had my first daughter, I switched to dietetics full time.”

Before joining Fordham’s Office of Human Resources Management, she worked for Sodexo, a worldwide leader in quality-of-life services.

“I was the registered dietitian for Fordham students. If anybody had special dietary needs, I would meet with them so that their needs would be met within the community, as opposed to getting off of the meal plan and potentially eating alone. From there, I became a wellness director for the business and industry division of Sodexo, where I helped our client partners achieve their wellness initiatives.”

SHARING INFORMATION

“Because we’re spread out on three campuses, the monthly well-being newsletter is one way to let faculty and staff know that I’m here, and impart a little information along the way. This fall, we have had a massage therapist visit campus during the benefits fairs and organized flu shots at all three campuses. In November, I worked with organizations on campus to participate in a Great American Smokeout program. For Diabetes Awareness Month, I set up a table at the Westchester campus and handed out information and samples of Jicama, which is a low glycemic food. My ultimate goal is to create a culture of health and well-being at Fordham University.”

DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS

“The National Wellness Institute has a six dimensional model of wellness: Social, Emotional, Occupational, Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual.  The Physical dimension includes the benefits of regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, strength and vitality. I’m starting to build education and activity through the physical dimension first.”

STAYING FIT

She said that a majority of staff members want to learn how to incorporate exercise into their day.

“Some people want to exercise close to work and others want it close to home. I try to educate staff about the resources we already have and try to create new opportunities to help them achieve their wellness goals. So far, we have created partnerships with the White Plains YMCA and West Side YMCA for discounted membership.”

TAKING A BREAK

“So many people don’t break from their desks to eat their meals. It’s important to try and break away from that environment and clear your head a little bit. Walking outside and connecting to the earth can be very therapeutic.”

HOW SHE MAINTAINS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

“As a registered dietitian, I try to follow a plant-based diet. I like to experiment with different ingredients and come up with nourishing and appetizing dishes. I love to take advantage of this beautiful campus of Rose Hill and the New York Botanical Gardens. I also like to exercise my muscles for 30 minutes at the Ram Fit Center during my lunch hour.”

A FRESH START

“The New Year is a great time for a fresh start and that may include making personal wellness resolutions. Be mindful to set yourself up for success by making small changes towards your wellness goal until it becomes part of your daily routine. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Forgive any setbacks and get yourself back on track toward your goal. Being able to bounce back and be tenacious is a key skill for having a rich life. Once you’ve attained that goal, reward yourself. It could be the gift of time to read a book by your favorite author or shopping the sale rack at your favorite store.”