Between classes, transferring, work, and all other stressors that come along with being a student, one may find it difficult to find time to take a breather. It is widely known and stated that college years are the best time of ones’ life, yet if you walk into the library you are bound to see someone on the verge of a breakdown.
According to the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (36.4 percent).” Mindfulness meditation has been proven to help with stress, anxiety, and students’ overall well-being. There are many ways students can practice mindfulness meditation. From apps to podcasts, there are many different resources to help guide meditation practices and to start the creation of a new, simple habit for anyone.
QUICK GUIDE TO MEDITATION
1. Find a quiet place
This step can be crucial for your concentration; if there is too much going on around you, it can break your focus and pull you away from your meditation.
2. Decide on how much time you are allowing yourself to meditate
Afterall, consistency is key. A long amount of time is not necessary; if you only have a minute or two to give, then make the best out of those few minutes.
3. Take “mindfulness posture”
Mindfulness posture is keeping your back straight, feet flat on the ground, hands resting either in your lap or at your side, and eyes either casted downward or closed.This posture is crucial because it tells your body to focus. Not allowing yourself to lean on your hands or to slump over, tells your body that you are getting ready to meditate and prepares you for the next steps.
4. Breathe
Finding your breath while meditating is crucial. It allows you to focus on the present and keeps your mind anchored on something.
5. Make note of how you feel.
Is your body tense? Acknowledging where you feel the tension, use your breath to loosen up.
From here, the steps can vary depending on what mediation process and program you are working through. There are many different programs out there that are directed towards achieving different goals. Researchers at the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic found that taking just a few minutes a day to practice meditation can reduce your stress by 31 percent and increase your vitality by 28 percent.
Taking charge of your stress and your overall well being can be frightening and seem almost impossible, but help is available. Some apps that offer free meditation guidance are as follows: Bodhi Timer, Headspace, Insight Timer, Omvana, Stop Breathe & Think, Calm, and WhiteNoise.
Cypress College Health Center also offers Wellness Wednesdays October 23, 2019 and November 20, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in the CCCPLX-414.
