Our minds are always racing. We are constantly trying to keep up with our course material, personal responsibilities, jobs, news… the list goes on. Amidst all this, we also juggle taking care of our bodies and our minds. To some, practicing mindfulness feels like another chore. But taking care of our minds shouldn’t feel this way! Let me introduce you to a science-backed meditation and mindfulness tool, Headspace, to help you take a breather.
About Headspace
Headspace is a mental wellness app that offers mindfulness lessons and meditation guides through their website and smartphone app. Just in time for the new academic year, Syracuse University students can now get free Headspace premium access on a first come, first serve basis!
This new Headspace partnership has replaced the Barnes Center at The Arch’s partnership with the Sanvello app. Students that had Sanvello accounts through the old partnership will receive a notice the week before their subscription ends.
Helpful Headspace Content
Along with meditations and breathing exercises that you might expect to see in a mindfulness app, Headspace also provides a variety of videos and classes that encourage you to improve your health and happiness in every aspect of your life. Headspace currently sorts its content into the following categories:
Today
The Today tab (accessible through the Headspace app) provides you with a list of curated content you might enjoy throughout your day. Today’s mediation sessions are available for 24 hours and updated every day. There is currently no option for users to listen to or save their previous day’s curated Today content, but the courses and meditations recommended each day can be found later by searching for them in the app or on the Headspace website.
Meditate
Headspace’s Meditate section features both guided and unguided meditations for relaxation, stress, grief, self-esteem and more. You can take a few minutes to engage in single sessions, or go deeper with your mindfulness journey and dive into full courses taught by various teachers.
Sleep
Trying to get some restful sleep? This Sleep section has content like Sleepcasts and Soundscapes to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and develop healthy sleep habits. Find a session that sounds like it might help you doze off, press play and allow your mind to rest. (This tab can also help you get that power nap in between classes!)
Move
Headspace’s Move content is meant to simultaneously train your body and your mind. Listen to mindful exercise sessions or high-energy ones to keep you motivated for your workout. You might even find yourself tuning into workouts hosted by Kevin Hart!
Focus
Looking for music or background noise to keep you focused? Look no more! Headspace’s Focus content provides sound, music and exercises to help you stay focused on the task at hand. They even have short nature videos to watch during a quick break to keep focus.
Headspace is an outlet to help you get through tough times and a tool to help you find joy in your everyday life. Some of the ways I have found Headspace helpful in my own life is using its lessons and meditations to help me process difficult news, relax after a long day, take power naps, and wake up to a mindful new day.
For new users, or those new to meditation, I would suggest starting with the “Today” playlist to get a feel for the sort of content you might like, then branch off to explore the other categories!
Accessing Your Premium Account
Not sure how to access your Headspace premium account? The Barnes Center at the Arch provides detailed instructions on their Headspace webpage, but see below for a quick rundown on what to do:
- Visit the Syracuse University Headspace Enrollment webpage.
- Select “Yes, I have an existing account” or “No, create a new account” and follow the prompts that come up.
- Enter your name and a Syracuse University email address (@syr.edu) under “Verify Your Access,” then select “Send verification email.”
- Complete the verification email instructions.
It’s that easy! Once your account is verified, you’re able to access Headspace’s content through their mobile app or through their website.
Now that you know what Headspace is, what content is available to you, and how to access your own Headspace premium account, you’re ready to make this new school year a lot more mindful.
Written By Sythong Run, ’24, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics