If one of your New Year’s (or new semester) resolutions is to create more balance in your routine, the best place to start is at the Barnes Center at The Arch at a Mindfulness and Meditation session. This peer-focused program provides various sessions that help students explore different ways someone can incorporate mindfulness into their everyday life. Whether you are a mindfulness master or a beginner just starting out on your mindfulness journey, there is something for every student to learn about mindfulness practice as an avenue for healthy coping mechanisms in times of stress. But if you need some extra convincing to give Mindfulness and Meditation a try, read on for five reasons why you should attend a session!
1. Mindfulness Improves Mental Well-Being
We are often human doers, not human beings. Mindfulness practice is all about embracing the moment-to-moment experiences by bringing attention to our thoughts, feelings and behaviors without judgement. In its various forms, mindfulness has been found to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, improve one’s ability to recognize and regulate emotions, and enhance one’s ability to thrive (psst… even in school). Every Mindfulness and Meditation session incorporates a different form of mindfulness practice that has been found to improve mental well-being.
2. Feel a Sense of Community
The late author of “All About Love,” bell hooks, once noted: “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.” It can sometimes feel daunting trying to find ways to explore your mental health journey on your own. Mindfulness and Meditation programs were created for people to come together and work towards collective mindfulness and growth. Whether you are bringing a few friends or coming by yourself to meet other students, these sessions are a great place to start forming connection and community with others and to share and discuss navigating life as a Syracuse University student.
3. Tap Into Your Creativity
Regardless of if you are a STEM wiz or a Newhouse star, participants can learn something new while finding something they enjoy doing. From designing self-love mirror messages to potting your own personal plant, Mindfulness and Meditation offers a variety of creative experiences that most classes do not offer on campus. So take a break, tap into your creativity and come learn about how to live more mindfully and grow into a well-rounded person.
4. Learn How to Incorporate Mindfulness Into Your Daily Life
There are a variety of sessions offered through Mindfulness and Meditation, with each focusing on their own topic of discussion and mindfulness activity. Whether it is exploring strategies for fostering self-compassion or improving your sleep health, there are so many cool and helpful skills you can implement in your daily life. By attending one session, you can discover different mindfulness skills and take them home to practice on your own schedule and share them with your peers.
5. Because You’re Worth It!
Even with all the amazing benefits mindfulness has on our well-being, we often tell ourselves we do not have time in our schedule to prioritize things that are good for us. However, this is a reminder that prioritizing your mental well-being is just as important as your physical, social and academic well-being. Exploring different ways to enhance your well-being can improve your overall health, decrease stress levels and ultimately equip you with healthier habits as you continue your scholarly pursuits. Please do not sell yourself short and deny yourself these fun and helpful opportunities—you are more than worth it!
Get Involved With Mindfulness and Meditation
Check out our upcoming Mindfulness and Meditation sessions for the Spring 2024 semester!
- Tuesday, Feb. 13: Self-Love Mirror Messages
- Thursday, Feb. 29: Midmester Recharge – Build Your Own Sleep Kit
- Tuesday, March 5: Cultivating Growth (Mindset) – Plant Potting
- Thursday, March 21: Meditation on the Lawn With the Buddhist Meditation Association
- Tuesday, April 2: Mindful Reminders – Positive Affirmation Buttons
- Tuesday, April 23: Energy Work With Diane Schenandoah (Honwadiyenawa’sek, “One Who Helps Them”)
You can sign up for a session by:
- Visiting the Wellness Portal online or downloading the Wellness Portal app on your iPhone or Android.
- Visit the “Special Events” section and click on “Mindfulness and Meditation.”
- Register for a session with your Syracuse University ID information.
Written By Kayla Turner ’24, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs