Graduate and Professional Students

If Loving Your Body Feels Too Unattainable, You’re Not Alone  

| Jennifer Forsberg

When Body Neutrality May Make More Sense than Body Positivity 

In her TedTalk titled, “Our Bodies are Not an Image,” Mary Jelkovsky makes the following powerful statement: “Our bodies are not an image. They’re an experience.” The phrase “body image” is frequently used to describe how one feels about and perceives their body; however, even this phrase falls victim to perhaps one of the biggest barriers to body acceptance: the idea that our bodies are an image, a visual, an aesthetic. 

We’ve been made to think that our bodies should look a certain way, weight a certain amount, and be shaped just right, but in doing so we lose sight of the true purpose of our bodies: to move us through life and allow us to experience joy, excitement, love, and hope.  

Our bodies are not an image. They are not visual or an aesthetic. They are functional. 

Body positivity has taken social media by storm over the past few years, with influencers, activists and even brands pushing the message that you should love your body. For some, this message is empowering, uplifting, and inspiring. For others, it feels too out of reach. To go from self-hate to self-love is no easy or quick journey, and many people feel that they fall somewhere in the middle.  

 If this sounds familiar, let me introduce you to the idea of body neutrality. It’s a philosophy that emphasizes that it is absolutely okay to simply accept your body, without feeling that it is beautiful or feeling love and positivity towards it. As the name suggests, body neutrality is simply feeling neutral towards your body. You don’t hate your body, but you’re also not in love with it the way body positive influencers seem to be. You might see your body similarly to Mary Jelkovsky, in that you focus on what your body does for you over what it looks like.  

Body neutrality, importantly, leaves space for individuals who may find it especially difficult to fully love their bodies: for instance, transgender individuals may struggle with “loving” a body that doesn’t match their gender expression. Individuals who struggle with body dysmorphia may struggle because their perception of what their body looks like is frequently changing. There is room for everyone in body neutrality since it is far more accessible. 

Some examples of what body neutrality in everyday life looks like include: 

  • Exercising as a form of joyful movement (because it makes you feel good), instead of exercising as a form of punishment 
  • Eating intuitively because your body needs to be nourished in order to function in the way you want it to be 
  • Choosing to wear clothes that you are comfortable in; you may not feel “confident,” but you feel comfortable 
  • Practicing mindfulness and listening to your body when it tells you it needs sleep, rest, movement, or nourishment 

 All in all, body neutrality is a form of body acceptance that recognizes how body positivity and self-love may be unrealistic goals for some. Body neutrality may be an ending point, or just a stop along the way of your body acceptance journey. The point is that it’s YOUR journey, and body acceptance is not one-size-fits-all. 

-Graduate and Professional Student, Student Wellness Center

Hitting a Wall – 7 Types of Rest to Combat Burnout 

| Jennifer Forsberg

Do you ever feel exhausted the moment you wake up, even after sleeping for 7-9 hours? Unfortunately, just getting the right amount of sleep is oftentimes not enough to recover mentally from your days. Our minds and bodies need rest in multiple areas to help combat fatigue, exhaustion, and daily stress.  

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, internal medicine physician, researcher, and author of Sacred Rest, has identified seven different types of rest necessary to refresh both our mind and body. Intentionality and balance within your self-care routine as it relates to the seven types of rest is essential to overcome burnout. 

Continue reading for tips on how to refresh each area and maximize rest. 

  1. Physical Rest – Can be split into two different categories, passive and active. Passive physical rest includes sleeping or napping while active physical rest is completing restorative activities such as yoga, stretching, acupuncture, massage, and breathing exercises. To optimize physical rest, a combination of both active and passive is necessary. 
  2. Mental Rest – For those who are constantly “on,” mental rest is critically important to avoid burnout. Throughout the workday schedule short 5-10 minute breaks to mentally give yourself a refresh before tackling the next to do. For those who have difficulty turning off your working brain after clocking out, keep a notepad close to write down thoughts or items that you are anxious about to give your brain a rest while not forgetting an important to do. This can also be helpful on a nightstand when trying to fall asleep. 
  3. Sensory Rest – Sensory overload can be extremely taxing on our physical and mental health. Triggers from laptops, screens, bright lights, and background noise can all make our senses feel overwhelmed. If you often find yourself on sensory overload, throughout the day make simple changes like closing your eyes for a minute before moving onto the next task, schedule in screen free time at the end of the day, take tech free walks or turn off the radio when driving.  
  4. Creative Rest – Nowadays, it can often feel like the minute we put out one fire another has already started. Creative problem solving is taxing and drains our creative bucket. To reignite creativity and inspiration take time to appreciate your surroundings by listening to the trees in the back yard, enjoy the arts, or turn your workspace into a place of art by adding images of favorite places to travel, beautiful photography or art pieces. This will help to reawaken the awe and wonder inside of you.  
  5. Emotional rest – Those who identify as “people pleasers” can have an especially difficult time getting rest in this area. We all need to find the time and space to express feelings, reflect and think about your authentic self, and answer the question, “how are you feeling?” in an honest way. Let’s normalize not just defaulting to saying, “I’m fine” when you are not.  
  6. Social Rest – Emotional and Social Rest go hand in hand. If you are struggling in this area, take time to inventory your relationships and differentiate between those that revive you and those that drain you. To really nurture your social rest, focus on those relationships that provide positivity and support in your life while creating separation from those that are mentally draining. 
  7. Spiritual Rest – In times that we are feeling overwhelmed, connecting beyond the physical and mental can provide us with clarity. Take time to identify your self-worth, define your values, find a sense of belonging and reflect on your identity outside of your career. Nurturing your spiritual rest can include engaging with something greater than yourself like meditation, community involvement, gardening, or religion. 

Evaluate your areas of need, where there is room to schedule rest focused self-care in your weekly calendar and create a plan to focus on rest as we enter into the final month of the academic year.  

To learn more about your personal strengths, identity, and how to optimize your self-care to maximize rest, schedule a Wellness Coaching appointment with the Student Wellness Center. Peer coaches are here to support you in living your best life.  

-Wellness Coaching, Student Wellness Center

Safe and Social 

| Jennifer Forsberg

Feeling isolated during the pandemic is completely normal, but just because we must stay six feet apart doesn’t mean we can’t still connect with our friends in person. There are many ways to hang out with friends while still being safe and mindful of others. Here are some ideas to help you get started!  

First up are picnics. It’s incredibly easy to grab a towel or blanket and find a nice place to sit outside with some friends. The Oval is a great place to go, along with any of the green spaces throughout campus. If you want to do a unique activity while enjoying the outdoors, try writing letters to senior citizens! You may have seen these posts on Instagram, but with the pandemic causing people to isolate, many assisted living communities are looking for pen pals for their residents. See the resources section below for more information!  

Next up, you can bike or ride scooters around campus. Ohio State’s campus is huge and, especially if you’re new to Columbus, it can be helpful to learn more about where everything is located. Stop by Raising Canes on High Street and grab a rentable scooter or bike to begin your day. There are plenty of trails you can use as well if you want to ride by the river or visit some nice parks located nearby.  

If you have a car, then going to drive-in movies are a great option. Located about 25 minutes from campus, the South Drive-In movie theatre is a great place to go if you want to get away with some friends for a few hours. Some artists are even doing drive-in concerts, so be sure to check if any of your favorite artists are hosting one nearby.  

If you think cars are overrated, try a kayak instead. Not only is this a safe social activity because you can physically distance from other kayakers, but this can also be a relaxing activity to get you outside for a few hours while the weather is good. Pick a short course for a two- or three-hour long ride or a long course that could keep you out all day.   

If you’re feeling creative and not afraid to show off your work, then sidewalk chalk drawing may be for you. Grab a friend and create a masterpiece of art or write positive messages around campus to help lift other people’s spirits.  

Last but not least, you can start hammocking. Hammocks are also a great way to meet with people. A Wise Owl hammock costs around $30 for a single and is incredibly durable. With plenty of areas to hammock on campus, including the Oval or by Mirror Lake, you can relax with friends and do homework or just play some music and hang out.  

Even with social distancing, there are still many things you can do if you get creative.  

These are just a few easy ways to get out and meet with people while still being safe! 

 Resources: 

-Ava Dong, Stress Wellness Ambassador 

Investment Mania  

| Jennifer Forsberg

Whether it is social distanced boredom leading people to chase thrills or the next tulip mania, investing is having a pop culture moment. The advent of Robinhood, a free trading platform, has introduced the gamification of stock trading into our national consciousness. This has never been evident than this winter’s Gamestop phenomenon that left some investors retire early and others losing thousands, if not millions, of dollars. This event has left many people with the mistaken impression that investing has to be complicated and time consuming.  Luckily with modern technology, investing has never been easier.  

  • Clearly define your goals.  What and when are you saving for?  Most American investors are saving with retirement as their goal.  If that’s the case for you be sure to understand the benefits of tax advantaged retirement accounts like 401ks and IRAs.  If you plan to invest outside of these accounts, familiarize yourself with how gains are taxed. 
  • Start as early as possible.  The best tool available to young investors is compound interest – that is investment gains from one period earning interest on themselves in subsequent years.  If you started to save $100 a month at age 25 it would be worth around $230,000 at retirement.  If you waited until 35, despite investing just $12,000 less, your investment would only be worth $95,000.  
  • Understand the financial products that make investing simple.  You don’t have to go out and choose individual stocks to purchase.  Products like mutual funds and index funds allow you to pool money with thousands of other investors to purchase hundreds or thousands of different stocks or bonds to take advantage of the market as a whole and avoid losing money on any single stock.  Though the market has historically gone up over time, it does sometimes lose value in dramatic fashion.   
  • If this all seems a bit overwhelming a very simple option is a target date fund.  These are funds of many other funds tied to a specific date, usually when you’d like to retire, that automatically adjust as your goal date approaches.  

-Graduate and Professional Student, Scarlet and Gray Financial

You Deserve to Be Here

| Jennifer Forsberg

The struggles of Imposter Syndrome.  

Roughly 10% of people in the world go on to pursue a graduate-level degree. Out of all of the people in the world, you are one of 10% of people to commit to continuing your education. This alone is something to celebrate, a reason to be proud of yourself. So why is it that we discredit ourselves for these achievements by questioning our right to be in these spaces? Imposter syndrome can be defined as “persistent doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one’s ongoing success” (Merriam-Webster, 2021). This response is far too common among graduate and professional students. Maybe your path has shifted, and you’re continuing your education with a different focus and concentration than you had as an undergraduate student. Or perhaps you feel a disconnect tuning into Zoom calls during a pandemic, creating more space between you and your program. Or maybe you simply struggle with elements of self-doubt in a variety of situations, and graduate and professional studies are no different. Whatever the reason, your struggle with imposter syndrome is valid and reasonable, and you are certainly not alone. 

Regarding this past year, in particular, the standard run-ins with imposter syndrome may have been heightened. Because of increased isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to establish community and relationships with peers, educators, and various faculty members has been all the more difficult. This lack of community enables and creates a greater space for you to lose yourself in intrusive thoughts and harmful narratives around self-doubt. In reality, many graduate and professional students feel the same. Without the foundation to connect with others to express similar worries and concerns, imposter syndrome can be elevated and even more isolating. 

So how do you combat this? It may be more complex than ridding yourself of intrusive, imposter syndrome thoughts completely, but here are a few ways you can challenge these narratives: 

  • Remember to separate facts from feelings. The truth is, you were admitted to your program because the university sees great potential in you and your work, specifically in your field of choice. Although you may feel as though you don’t belong, the truth is, you are right where you should be.  
  • Acknowledge the moments you feel you don’t belong. What is triggering this response? Why are you feeling this way? What are some concrete examples of why this isn’t true?  
  • Reach out to fellow students. Your peers are experiencing similar things. Even if you know just one person in your program or another, talking through these feelings can help and often show that you are not alone in your worries.  
  • Tell yourself it is okay to make mistakes. Mistakes and failures do not prove that inner voice saying you don’t belong, right. Mistakes are part of the journey, they are inevitable, and they are important milestones of growth. Do not let these moments discredit you, instead let them push you further.  
  • Always give yourself grace. If a friend came to you with anxieties around the program they started, expressing that they are not good enough, don’t deserve to be in the program, or don’t belong, what would you say to them? Treat yourself how you would treat this friend. You know their strengths, their abilities, their determination. Often, it is so easy to see this in others, but not ourselves. Be kind to yourself. Understanding, compassion, and support for yourself will go a much longer way than you may think.  

If you feel you need extra support, there are always resources available. Sometimes talking these worries out with a licensed professional through Counseling and Consultation Services is the best approach. Even a conversation with a Wellness Coach through the Student Wellness Center can be helpful. Most importantly, know that you are not alone in this struggle, and above all, you deserve to be here, and we’re so happy you are.  

References:  

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Impostor syndrome. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 25, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome 

-Graduate and Professional Student, Wellness Coaching  

Hydration Tips + Tricks 

| Jennifer Forsberg

How much water have you had to drink today?   

Something most people don’t do enough of is drink water, especially college students!   

The human body is made up of around 60% water, so its super important to make sure you stay hydrated in order for your body to carry out its normal functions. Your body needs water in order to regulate your body temperature, protect your joints, spinal cord, and tissues, and to rid your body of waste. While you can hydrate your body with the obvious help of drinking plenty of fluids, you can also hydrate your body by consuming foods with higher water content including most fruits and vegetables.  

Proper hydration is more than just “drinking more water.” A big part of hydration is also making sure you’re replenishing your electrolytes as well. Electrolytes are essential minerals that are necessary for many bodily processes to take place. They can help your body retain water, and also may help prevent muscle cramping. Some electrolytes include potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphate and chloride. You can naturally ingest electrolytes through your food choices, or you could choose to supplement them with your fluid intake. Here are the answers to some common questions on the topic of hydration: 

 How much water should I drink each day?  

  • The average person should aim to drink at least half of their body weight in fluid ounces. To calculate this, take your body weight (in pounds) / 2 = # (fluid ounces) that are needed daily.  
  • If you are physically active, then you should aim to drink more than this because your body needs more water to make up for sweating.  

What foods can I get electrolytes from naturally? 

  • Fruits: avocados, strawberries, watermelon, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, olives 
  • Vegetables: potatoes, broccoli, beans 
  • Leafy greens: spinach, kale 

 What electrolyte supplement options are there? 

  • As a runner, I’ve tried many different electrolyte supplementation options. One of my personal favorites is the Ultima Replenisher electrolytes. Their electrolytes are gluten-free, plant-based, keto and paleo and they contain all six electrolytes.  
  • Another one of my go to electrolyte supplements is the Mio Sport Liquid Water Enhancers. They come in a variety of flavors and they are meant to enhance your water with electrolytes and B vitamins. This is also a great option for if you don’t like to just drink plain water because it adds some flavor to your water. 
  • Some other great options that I haven’t tried yet but are highly recommended are Nuun Hydration and Liquid IV. 
  • While it’s not necessary to supplement electrolytes every day, these are great to help with rehydration after prolonged exercise! 

 Resources: 

– Taylor Dewey, Nutrition Wellness Ambassador 

Understanding Student Loans For Graduate Students

| Jennifer Forsberg

Applying for student loans is much the same at the undergraduate level as it is at the graduate level.  Students still need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  For most undergraduate students this process involves entering their personal and parent’s financial information.  At the graduate level, by nature of the student already completing a bachelor’s degree, students only need to include their own financial information. Commonly, graduate students are offered two types of loans: 

  1. Graduate direct student loans up to $20,500 annually at a 4.30% (these numbers change annually in the summer) annual interest rate.  
  2. Graduate PLUS loans up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other aid at a 5.30% interest rate.  Unlike direct loans, PLUS loans require a credit check.  

Depending on your program and college you may be offered other types of loans. Like loans at the undergraduate, you do not need to make any payments until after you graduate.   

Alternatively, students can apply for private student loans.  This process involves finding a lender to borrow money from and with factors such as your debt to income ratio (DTI) and credit score determining your credit score.  As every lender is different private student loans may not have the same benefits as federal students.  That means you might have to make payments before you graduate.  Generally, private student loans have higher interest rates. 

When it comes to repayment time, federal student loans have a great deal of flexibility. The standard repayment plan is 120 months of equal payments but you can pay less monthly if you qualify for any of the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) or Income-Contingent Repayment (IDR) plans.  Though these plans will save you money in the short run, it will result in a longer repayment period and possibly more interest paid in the long run.  If you have a little extra money in your budget paying more than the required amount monthly can save you thousands of dollars in interest and a shorter repayment time.  The repayment options for private student loans varies by each loan and may not have the same options as federal student loans.    

If you’d like to talk to someone about loans or your finances more generally consider setting up an appointment with Scarlet and Gray Financial, a free coaching program through the Student Wellness Center that can help you get the answers to questions you may have. 

-Graduate Professional with Scarlet and Gray Financial

4 Strategies for Combatting Imposter Syndrome 

| Jennifer Forsberg

Repeat after me, “I deserve to be where I am.”  

Acceptance into graduate school is a huge accomplishment, providing experience for learning, growth, and professional advancement. It is also a time when unwanted thoughts and feelings of self-doubt plague the brightest of students into questioning their sense of belonging and create a mentality that they are undeserving of their accomplishments.  

These feelings can be a symptom of Imposter Syndrome. Imposter syndrome can impact anyone and oftentimes leaves the you with a negative mindset towards yourself, your program and future. Experiencing difficulties accepting your accomplishments or constantly doubting your capabilities, can have a negative impact on your mental health. 

If you have experienced some of these feelings or others, know that you are not alone and that there are strategies and services available to help curb these unwanted thoughts giving you peace of mind and an opportunity to thrive.  

1. Acknowledge how you are feeling 

It is important to acknowledge how you are feeling, accept the thought and let it pass. Calling these feelings for what they are, negative emotions connected to imposter syndrome and not an actual reflection of your capabilities, can help you to let them go and move on with the tasks in front of you.  

Oftentimes these feelings are brought on by a mix of internal and external stressors, evaluate the situation in front of you that may have caused these feelings and find a path forward through self-care, taking a break, redirection, or mindfulness.   

2. Avoid comparison 

These days it feels impossible not to compare our experiences to others. With the constant highlight reel of social media, getting absorbed in others’ successes is a downward spiral best left in the past.  

Avoiding Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn for a period of time can help you to refocus on your personal journey rather than worrying about what others are up to.  

3. Create a mantra 

Traditionally mantras are short words or phrases used for meditation purposes to help refocus and redirect the mind. Mantras can be used to help inspire motivation, positivity, self-affirmation, and more. Utilizing mantras when negative thoughts pop into your brain can help redirect your mindset into a more positive headspace.  

Simple mantras such as, “I will not let self-doubt control me,” “I am proud of my hard work,” “I deserve to be where I am,” or “I haven’t done it doesn’t mean I can’t do it,” can help you combat negative feelings and get on with the task in front of you. 

4. Find your support system 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of self-doubt, are feeling burnt out, or are overwhelmed by feelings of stress and anxiety, vocalizing your experience to others can help in a number of ways, including normalizing these experiences and connecting with others who may feel the same way. Talk about your concerns with someone you trust and respect, this can be friends, family, or colleagues.  

Additionally, Ohio State has many free resources that graduate and professional students have access to: Counseling and Consultation Services, Career Counseling and Support Services, and the Student Wellness Center. Each of these departments have services such as one-on-one coaching and counseling available to support you throughout your academic journey. 

Take some time to make a plan for when these negative thoughts of self-doubt appear. Being prepared will help you to better overcome this mentality and start accepting and embracing your accomplishments for what they are – major successes. 

Credit Scores

| Jennifer Forsberg

What is a credit score?  

Your credit score shows up in your life in a number of ways.  It influences your interest rates when borrowing for a car or house and  a good credit score can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Some employers will check the credit scores of applicants and landlords may also use it to judge the quality of potential tenants.  A credit score is an expression of the risk associated with lending money to a person.  FICO, the most commonly used score, ranges from 300 at the low end and 850 as the best possible score.  For those students considering refinancing their student loans, their credit score will be a major factor in that process.  

 How is a credit score determined?  

Once someone starts borrowing money from a financial institution, be it a student loan or credit card, all of the payment and account information is aggregated into a credit report.  Based on the information on this report a credit score is determined. It is a good practice to check your credit report on a regular basis to ensure there aren’t any errors or other issues.  Consumers are able to check all three credit reports once a year for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.  The actual formula for determining someone’s credit score is a trade secrete but FICO provides an idea of how the algorithm weights several factors:  

  • Payment history: 35% of your credit score.  In short, make your payments on time.  In the case of an installment loan, like a student loan, the borrower simply needs to make the entire payment in full but with credit cards just the minimum payment is needed.  Keep in mind, that anything less than payment in full will result in interest being charged to the account.   
  • Utilization rate: 30% of your credit score.  Utilization rate is the ratio of spending on credit cards to overall credit limit.  Under 30% is a good practice though under 10% is ideal.  
  • Length of credit history: 15%.  Having a longer credit history is better.  It’s not possible make your credit history longer expect by getting older so starting earlier is better.   
  • New credit: 10%. Each new formal application for an account will appear on your credit report and hurt your credit score for a short period of time.  Be sure open new accounts strategically and avoid it all together prior to a large purchase like mortgage or car loan.  
  • Credit mix: 10%.  Having a mix of credit cards and other revolving lines of credit and installment loans like student loans is helpful.  

 How to get started  

Anyone with who has borrowed for undergraduate or graduate school has already established a credit score. For everyone else opening a credit card is an option.  Since 2009 first time borrowers need to be at least age 21 to open the first credit card.  Secured or student credit cards are a good fit for first time credit card users.  

 -Scarlet and Gray Financial Services

Improving Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Wellness through Yoga

| Jennifer Forsberg

Yoga is an ancient wellness practice rooted in Indian and Egyptian cultures. For thousands of years, the practice has been proven to positively influence individual’s holistic wellbeing. Developing a yoga practice can positively benefit multiple dimensions of wellness.  

Let’s learn about the many benefits of yoga below:  

Physical Wellness:  

The physically well person gets an adequate amount of sleep and a balanced and nutritious diet, engages in exercise for 150 minutes per week, attends regular medical check-ups and practices safe and healthy sexual relations.  

Yoga benefits the physical body through:  

  • Increased flexibility  
  • Increased muscle strength and tone 
  • Improved respiration, energy  and vitality 
  • Maintaining a balanced metabolism  
  • Influences weight reduction  
  • Improves cardio and circulatory health  
  • Improves athletic performance 
  • Increases protection from energy  

Folks interested in yoga for their physical wellness might consider the following yoga styles: Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa, Vinyasa, Slow Flow Vinyasa, Hatha  

Emotional Wellness:  

The emotionally well person can identify, express and manage the entire range of feelings and would consider seeking assistance to address areas of concern.  

Yoga benefits emotional wellness through:  

  • Restoring energy, stimulates blood flow and releases endorphins 
  • Helping relieve depression  
  • Can help relieve anxiety by increasing resilience and stress-coping abilities 
  • Reducing stress and can increase a sense of control 
  • Creating better mind-body awareness 
  • Can enhance the mind-body connection, improving positive body image 
  • Increasing positive outlook on life 
  • Helps manage and decrease feelings of hostility  
  • Can improve social skills  

Folks interested in yoga for their emotional wellness might consider the following yoga styles: Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa, Vinyasa, Slow Flow Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, Yin 

Spiritual Wellness:  

The spiritually well person seeks harmony and balance by openly exploring the depth of human purpose, meaning and connection through dialogue and self-reflection.  

Yoga benefits spiritual wellness through:  

  • Increasing consciousness of self
  • Teaching you to be okay with stillness 
  • Increasing connection to the universe and a higher sense of being  
  • Can lead to a broader sense of hope, well-being, love and inspiration within us 
  • Developing a stronger focus on the present  
  • Can increase individual and collective sense of purpose  
  • Improving intuitive wisdom  

Folks interested in yoga for their spiritual wellness might consider the following yoga styles: Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Meditation  

Whether you are initially interested in yoga for the physical, emotional or spiritual benefits, over time it can improve all 3 of these dimensions in wellness in your life. If  you’ve tried yoga and the past and it didn’t seem to work for you, maybe consider a different style of yoga.  

References:  

https://swc.osu.edu/about-us/nine-dimensions-of-wellness/ 

https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga/ 

https://www.yogashanti.lu/what-is-yoga/emotional-benefits-of-yoga 

https://holisticmovementcenter.com/the-spiritual-benefits-of-yoga/ 

https://www.replenishliving.com/5-mental-spiritual-benefits-to-practicing-yoga-or-meditation/#:~:text=With%20regular%20practice%20of%20Yoga,that%20is%20deep%20within%20us.&text=The%20practice%20of%20regular%20Yoga,people%20more%20focused%20and%20present. 

-Ivory Levert, Program Manager