October 2017

Connecting with Yourself to Connect of Campus
By: Armind Chahal

In recent weeks, we as a student body have had to deal with an overwhelming amount of hate not

only from people on a national level, but from our peers as well. From hateful speech to racist

flyers being posted around campus, it is easy to feel disconnected from the university and like

you don’t belong here. The reality is that, no matter what, you DO belong here. This is just as

much as your campus as it is anyone else’s.

One of the Seven Dimensions of Wellness is Spirituality, which is what I will be focusing on.

Spirituality means something different for everyone, but generally it means searching for a

meaningful connection to something bigger than yourself, or just trying to find your purpose. For

some, this can mean religion. For others, spirituality can be something completely detached from

religion.

I know that it has been a stressful past few weeks, so here are a few ways to reconnect with your

spirituality and relieve some of that tension:

1. Take a step back and meditate. Sit in your dorm room or a quiet place and take a few

deep breathes. Better yet, find a meditation class on or near campus if you prefer a group

setting. You can even find a mediation video on YouTube and follow along.

2. If you’re religious, take some time out of your day and pray. It can also be helpful to

meet other likeminded individuals and find comfort in community.

3. If you prefer something slightly more active, take up a yoga class. It can help you relax

and depending on the class or video, can also be a workout!

4. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first. It is easy to neglect your mental health, especially in

college. Not getting enough sleep and relying on coffee to keep you going is not healthy

for your mental health or physical health. Your work will be best when you’re at your

best.

5. Volunteer. Find a local organization or a cause you are passionate about and spend some

time helping others. Helping others may in turn help you.

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If you feel the stress of school or recent events getting to you, try out some of these suggestions.

If none of them work for you, seek other distressing options because the list definitely does not

end here! Keep in mind that no matter what, you belong here and you will prevail.