The past wintery weekends have left most college students trapped inside their dorm. Some use this time to catch up on sleep or homework. I was one of those people who used this time to relax and de-stress. With all the stress that comes along with college life, it is hard to find a time to just relax. Practicing mindfulness is so important for mental and physical health. I fear that it becomes overlooked or a last priority for most college students. I created a list of ten easy things you can do in your dorm to practice mindfulness. These ten things will make you feel better, clear your mind, and make for a healthier you.
- Take a hot shower: Letting the warm water hit your skin is not only relaxing but you also are cleaning your self. That makes for a happy mind and body.
- Stretch your muscles: Hunching over your laptop can make your body sore. Take a break from typing that paper or watching Facebook videos and stretch your back, neck, or legs.
- Take a few deep breaths: It is amazing what a few deep breaths can do. Just stop what you are doing and slowly breathe in and out. It will slow your heartrate which will make you relax. Ahhh just what you needed.
- Take a break from work: After working on the same project for a long time you may begin to freak-out about how will you finish. A short break can actually clear your mind and help you come up with new ideas or give you motivation to work.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew: It is very hard to say “No” sometimes, but it is essential to a healthy mind. Packing your schedule with activities does not leave you with time to relax.
- Go for a walk: Laying in bed all day may sound relaxing but walking around and getting a change of scenery is very relaxing.
- Exercise: By exercising you release endorphins. This is another way to get your blood pumping and clear your mind.
- Listen to music: Listening to relaxing music can actually make you more relaxed. By focusing on the music you begin to calm. (My personal favorite is the Mellow Morning playlist on Spotify)
- Close your eyes and focus on yourself: When your mind is running in 100 different directions just close your eyes and think about what you are doing right now. What needs done first? How will you complete this task? Focus on yourself and one thing at a time.
- Do a few simple yoga poses: You do not need a ton of room to do a few simple yoga poses. Yoga combines stretching and breathing into one activity. (My favorite two poses to do while in my dorm are laying flat on my back while hugging my knees into my chest, and child’s pose.)
—
This article was contributed by Savannah McCann.
Savannah is from Pittsburgh, PA and is a freshman at American University. She is majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Business and Entertainment. She has danced for 16 year and was on her dance team in high school and also danced at a studio. She likes to watch sports and LOVES dogs. She has an addiction to coffee, shopping, and Grey’s Anatomy. She started practicing yoga and mindfulness with her grandmother almost two years ago.
To read more about our students and to find out about the research they are doing, visit the Mind-Body Medicine homepage.
—
Photo Credit: http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article6890606.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Woman-practices-yoga-at-indoor-studio.jpg
