FYI: Grow Kindness

Grow Kindness

The Office of Student Life, in collaboration with the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension and the Chief Wellness Officer will be growing kindness across campus on October 17 (rain date October 18).

With generous donations from Scotts Miracle-Gro and Altman Plants, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to plant two succulents; one to keep for themselves and one to give away in kindness to someone else. The projects will help promote kindness and mental health support.

Plants will be available for assembly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the following locations:

  • Lawn in front of Traditions at Scott
  • University Square (15th and High)
  • Wexner Medical Center (Herrick Transit Hub)

Learn more: go.osu.edu/GrowKindness.

3 Time Management Techniques to get you Through the End of the Semester

Spring break is over and now the race to finals week has begun. With only 5 weeks left in the semester, many of you are probably feeling the pressure of the numerous impending deadlines.

Practicing self-care in the next few weeks is more important than ever. Taking time to eat balanced meals, engage in physical activity, and getting plenty of sleep should be at the top of your to-do list along with all of the other tasks.

But how can you make time to take care of yourself when you don’t even feel like you have enough time for all the other tasks on the to-do list?? Read on for 3 time management techniques to get you through the end of the semester.

  1. Prioritize Tasks – make a list of everything that you have coming up in the next few weeks and label them as urgent, important, or not important. This includes anything related to academics, work, family, and friend time.
    • Urgent – these are tasks that need to get done right away, anything with a deadline.
    • Important – tasks that are important and meaningful to you but do not necessarily have a deadline.
    • Not important – tasks that don’t really need to get done and that are not important to you.

This visual of tasks can be helpful in seeing where all of your time is spent. Do you have a lot of not important tasks in your schedule? If so, it might be time to rethink how you accept commitments. Turning down not important tasks can help to free up time for more important items. Especially as you prepare for the end of the semester.

  1. Control Procrastination – the most stressful or unpleasant tasks are the ones that you are most likely to put off and this will only increase as deadlines approach. Try the following techniques to combat procrastination:
    • Structure time – using the prioritized task list you just created, schedule out structured working time using a format that works best for you: day planner, outlook calendar, desk calendar, etc. Find the best fit and stick to it.
    • Break up larger tasks – learn your working style and plan accordingly. IF you know that you will not be able to sit and work for 3 hours straight on a paper break it up into shorter 1-hour blocks throughout the day to help break up the unpleasant task.
    • Create short-term deadlines – We have 5 weeks left in the semester, now is the time to build in shorter deadlines to break up the larger tasks. If you have a 20 page paper due during finals week, break up that task into writing at least 5 pages per week until the end of the semester. This will give you plenty of time to do your best, without rushing to get it done at the end.
    • Avoid perfectionism – Use these strategies to give yourself enough time to do your best.
  1. Manage Commitments – be reasonable and realistic with the time you have and manage your commitments by saying yes when it is important and saying no when you need to.

Being realistic with your time as we near the end of the semester can help to alleviate some of the pressure and stress. Managing your time appropriately can help to provide you with some much needed free time for self-care while also giving yourself enough time to do well in your academics.

For additional support, check out the Student Life Student Wellness Center’s Wellness Coaching program and the Dennis Learning Center’s Academic Coaching program.

-Jordan Helcbergier, Wellness Coordinator

March Editorial from Counseling and Consultation Services

Destigmatizing Mental Health Through Tragic Events 

Local, regional, national, and global critical incidents are too common. While seeking to understand these tragedies there is a psychological impact. Traumatic events leave individuals with varied emotional experiences. These can range from shock and disbelief to other painful emotions such as anger and sorrow. You may also notice that your daily routine may be affected as you notice changes in sleeping, appetite and concentration. Additionally, exposure to such events either in person or in media may effect your perceptions about the world. Reactions vary, and so do student needs. There are resources that can be accessed to support individuals and groups. We’ve got your back at Ohio State. 

Coping In A Crisis : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu)  

Promoting CCS Services   

CCS can help you sort through options and identify a counselor that matches your needs and preferences. For personalized assistance linking with a therapist, you can schedule a phone screening with CCS at Schedule a Phone Screening : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) or use our self-guided directory at Community Provider Database : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) 

Resource Sharing  

Spring Break can be a great time to relax, travel, and visit with friends. For many students, it’s also time to party, and it can be easy to overindulge.  Find 10 tips from student wellness to Party Smart!  

https://swc.osu.edu/wellness-education-and-resources/alcohol-and-other-drug-prevention/party-smart 

Dating, hanging out or hooking up over spring break? Student Wellness Center is also a great resource for taking care of your sexual health! https://swc.osu.edu/wellness-education-and-resources/sexual-health 

Humanizing CCS   

SWT? LSW? LISW-S? What do all those letters behind a therapist ‘s name mean? There are many training programs for therapy providers, and the letters signify which type of training a therapist has and which license they hold in their field.  “SW” stands for social worker and signifies training through a lens of social justice and advocacy. In honor of Social Work Month, we shine a spotlight on CCS social workers!  

You can learn more about our staff social workers’ personal and professional interests at Our Staff : Counseling and Consultation Service (osu.edu) 

Social Work Staff Highlight  

Collin Pfaff, B.S., SWT  (Social Work Intern)  

Professional Interests: 

  • Mind-Body-Spirit Integration: Strengths-Based Approach Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Logotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Poetry, Yoga, Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation) 
  • Community Building and Social Justice: Family Systems, Humane Technology, Equitable Work Environments, Leadership Development, Ethical Consumerism 

Personal Interests: 

One of my closest friends once told me, “Always wear clothes that you can dance in.” I try living my life that way, where each moment is an opportunity to be joyful. It doesn’t always look like much (you still have to go to work and do the dishes) and there’s plenty of silence. It is a great adventure. 

Identity Specific Posts

Did you know March is Women’s History Month? Honoring our history allows us to be catalysts and advocates of social change. Find ways to celebrate, reflect, and work towards equity with The Center for Belonging and Social Change.  

https://cbsc.osu.edu/events-and-programs/heritage-and-awareness-months/womens-history-month/ 

March 8th is International Women’s Day!  Since 1911, IWD has highlighted and addressed gender inequity and has served as a tool to advocate for gender equity. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity and this year’s mission’s include Women in Tech, Women at Work, and Women’s Health.  

Learn more and get involved with 2023 International Women’s Day Mission’s here:  

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ 

 

-Claire Simon, LISW-S, Embedded Clinical Therapist, College of Nursing

Professionalism for Interviews

Interviews are high-stress environments for many students. When we are interviewing for a full-time job, it is usually towards the end of our academic career that may cause stress or anxiety about what is next for life outside of campus. However, it is important to take a few deep breaths and take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments. Also to be kind to ourselves during this process by embracing positive self-talk.

Here are some tips to do before an interview and to develop your professional development skills.

  1. Clarify your goal. Why are you seeking out this internship or job?
  2. Determine which organizations you are interested in and research more about them. Look into their company’s mission. Does their mission align with your career purpose?
  3. If the interview is in-person, have enough copies of your resume, ideally two per organization.
  4. Prepare a “tell me about yourself” pitch and have generic questions that can be asked to all employees. Such as, “What is the most challenging part of working for your organization? What are the learning and growth opportunities available for early professionals such as me in your organization/this role?”
  5. Update your professional social media profiles, such as Handshake and LinkedIn. This will allow employers to see the most up-to-date information about you, and it is a great way to connect with employers after the interview.
  6. Ensure that you are dressed professionally. Professional dress is usually a suit, blazer with slacks, or blazer and appropriate length skirt. Professional dress can be pricey, check out the Buckeye Career Closet to find free, gently used, professional clothing, shoes, and accessories.

During the Interview:

  1. Take employer business cards and on the back of the card jot down something that you connected with them on. This will help make your follow-up for a thank you more personal.
  2. Bring a notebook to take notes on the available positions and answers to questions.

Resources:

Buckeye Career Closet: https://careers.osu.edu/events-and-programs/career-closet

Career Fairs and Preparations: https://careers.osu.edu/events-and-programs/career-fairs-and-preparation

Shruti Asodaria, Graduate Student Assistant

Overcoming the Sunday Scaries

Your two days off are wrapping up and it’s almost time to start another week: it’s Sunday. It’s very common among students to feel anxious or stressed about going back to school or work and sad that your weekend of fun and relaxation is coming to an end. Sunday’s can often make us feel like we are running short on time or like we just don’t have the motivation to start another week. Here are a couple of ways you can overcome those Sunday Scaries and get yourself prepared, motivated, and ready for the week ahead.

  • Prep everything on Sunday

Monday morning is already tough enough, so make it easier on yourself by prepping everything you’ll need the night before. You will thank yourself in the morning when you don’t have to worry about:

  • Laying out an outfit
  • Packing a lunch
  • Packing your backpack
  • Finding anything else you’ll need for the day, like an umbrella or your gym bag Doing these things the night before will help put your mind at ease about Monday morning, and also promote time management skills and help you feel motivated and ready for the day.
  • Stay organized

Whether it’s your phone reminders, a written planner, or a whiteboard calendar in the kitchen, staying organized is a great way to combat the Sunday Scaries. Writing out your assignments, appointments, meetings, classes, and anything else you have planned can help ease the stress of feeling unprepared or unorganized. Writing out a daily planner with goals and items you want to accomplish will help make sure you stay on track and relieve any related anxieties!

  • Wear something you love

We all get that “Monday feeling”, so do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable and motivated for the dreaded first day of the week. Wearing something comfortable and something you love will make you feel good and won’t contribute any additional feelings of stress or discomfort as you head into your first week back. Whether it’s a comfy sweater, a favorite pair of shoes, or even some extra accessories, looking good makes you feel good! And comfortable clothes will give you that serotonin boost you need to thrive during the day.

  • Positive self-talk and self-care

Being kind to yourself is the most important thing when it comes to dealing with the Sunday Scaries. It’s always important to listen to your body and be mindful of what you need. Everyone self cares differently, so don’t be afraid to do whatever it is you need to do to get through the day. Letting yourself take time off, relax, and mentally and physically prepare for the week ahead is crucial for success. Be kind to yourself when you need a break and give yourself credit for all the hard things you’ve done so far! You got this!

References:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/g32267191/mindfulness-activities/

https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

https://www.rochester.edu/emerging-leaders/11-tips-for-organization-and-productivity/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sunday-scaries/

https://ccs.osu.edu/services/mental-health-support

Alison Reynolds, Graduate Student Assistant

You, Me, and Technology: How to Navigate the Uninvited 3rd Wheel in Our Relationships

Technology has brought about amazing tools to connect and foster relationships with those who are not physically nearby. With so many new options for communication such as text messaging, email, social media and video calls, you have the opportunity to connect with people all over the world.

The advancement of technology has undoubtedly provided benefits to how we start and sustain our interpersonal relationships.

Technology is quickly becoming the norm in how a lot of our relationships begin. According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, 1 in 5 relationships and 1 in 6 marriages begin online. With nearly 8,000 dating sites in the world, it is easy to see how this number will only continue to grow.

Friendships, romantic relationships, even how you interact with your family has shifted and changed because of the presence of technology. Our interactions now are vastly different than those even just 20 years ago.

With this change in interaction and communication, there must also be a change in how we approach our relationships. Technology plays a role and, unfortunately, for some, it can cause conflict and divide. The amount of social media use, how much is being shared online, and jealousy can all create problems within a relationship.

One issue technology can create is distance in relationships. Whether you are not having deep conversations face to face or are choosing to hide behind a text to express feelings, neither is beneficial in developing a relationship built on open communication and honesty.

By communicating expectations and setting clear boundaries, you can create a more supportive environment for your relationship to thrive. Some examples of topics to discuss and boundaries to potentially put in place:

  • Putting the devices away at mealtime.
  • Setting clear expectations for how public or private do you want to be online.
  • Exploring instances of jealousy – if you feel drawn to checking in on your partners social media and feel jealous of their interactions. Explore where your insecurities are and communicate your needs to your partner.
  • Leaving your phones in another room when going to bed
  • Allocating certain times throughout the day to be ‘phone-free time’ – phone free dates is also a great idea!
  • Don’t get out your phone from your pocket/backpack/bag as soon as you get to your destination. If it never leaves your bag there is less
  • temptation to look at it. Exception here – if you are letting someone know you arrived safely, but then put it away!

When you are sitting on your devices instead of interacting, you are not enjoying shared experiences which can help to foster and build relationships. To remedy this, find activities to enjoy together, i.e. instead of playing games on your devices while sitting in the same room, get out a board game and play together. This is just one example, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy a shared experience on campus. Visit the Student Activities website to view their events calendar and plan your tech-free date/hang out for spring semester!

Ohio State, including Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service, has relationship related resources.

-Jordan Helcbergier, Wellness Coordinator

Photo by Jo McCulty

Winter Blues and Addressing SAD

Winter is upon us. The autumn semester is wrapped up, and many of us  swiftly put behind us those end-of-semester projects, research papers and final exams that  crept up way too quickly.

The winter blues leave us feeling out of touch with our natural routine and our body’s circadian rhythm. You may be feeling changes in your mood, your energy levels, or withdrawal from social interactions that make it hard just to get through the day.  Many of these symptoms describe Seasonal Affective Disorder or also known as seasonal depression, that usually emerges during months with dark and colder weather. You are not alone. Many students on campus are feeling this way, and here are some tips to help you ease into the winter season.

 

  1. Get some sunshine. Wake up a bit earlier to get 15 minutes of morning sun before classes or have meals outside or in a sunny spot indoors. Even on cold or cloudy days, natural light can help.
  2. Discover some hobbies. Hobbies are a wonderful way to get your mood up and socialize. Check out activities offered to you at your dorm or organizations on campus.
  3. Get Moving. Exercise can be a great way to release some stress from school or work and is a great way to find time to be outdoors as well.
  4. Create a routine. Create a schedule for when to wake up and go to sleep to avoid excessive sleeping or napping throughout the day. This can also help you find time to work on hobbies or extracurriculars in your schedule.

If these steps do not feel like enough, here is a free resource on campus that can guide you through the winter blues. The Student Wellness Center offers Wellness Coaching to all students. It provides opportunities to gain awareness regarding your capacity to create the life you want to live, both now and in the future. Wellness coaching takes a positive approach to personal development to generate meaningful goals for you.

Other Resources Available:
Counseling and Consultation Services

Student Health Services

Recreational Sports

 

-Shruti Asodaria, Wellness and Outreach Graduate Student Assistant

Learning How to Effectively Say No to Opportunities

Reminder: No is a complete sentence. 

Although practicing and learning how to say no is relevant and necessary in all aspects of our lives, this example will focus primarily on professional and academic settings.  

Let’s say one day you are at work, and you receive an email from your supervisor with an optional request that exceeds what you are able or willing to contribute at the time. For example, the request could be something like serving on an additional committee, picking up an extra shift, or attending an optional event or training. Maybe a classmate wants you to take on some additional components of a group project beyond what you had initially agreed upon.  

First evaluate the request. Are you interested in exploring the possibility of supporting or engaging in the opportunity in a smaller, or different, capacity? If you are, you can suggest this and work on a compromise. However, if you cannot – or are not interested – in being involved, that is completely valid. 

Once you have determined that you cannot take on the additional opportunity, it is important to effectively communicate this. Just like with boundary-setting, it can be helpful to practice saying no! 

If it feels comfortable for you, you can begin your response by acknowledging the positive aspects of the request. For example, “This sounds like a great opportunity!” or “Thank you for thinking of me!” 

Next, provide a brief – yet direct – explanation for turning down the request. Here’s a possible example (keeping in mind that this may look different depending on your own personal preference, communication style, and reason for saying no): “Unfortunately, I am currently at capacity with my workload, and I am unable to take on any additional projects at this time.” If you are interested in providing support in another capacity or smaller role, you can always offer that as well. Additionally, if you know of someone else who may be interested in the opportunity, you could refer or recommend them.  

Altogether, saying no can look something like this: “Thank you for thinking of me! This sounds like a great opportunity. Unfortunately, I am currently at capacity with my workload, and I am unable to take on any additional projects at this time.” 

If saying no and setting boundaries is new to you, you can always practice and start out small! Check out these articles for more tips and strategies: 

 

-Lucy Hennon, Graduate Student Assistant  

#BeKind

Being Kind has many benefits to your overall health and well-being. Did you know, kindness increases: energy, happiness, lifespan, pleasure and serotonin and decreases: pain, anxiety, stress, depression and blood pressure.  

We could all benefit from a little extra kindness right now. Take 5 minutes and send a message of gratitude to a friend, call a loved one, or engage in an activity that gives you to joy to be kind to yourself.  

Is expressing your creative side something you enjoy? Help spread kindness at Ohio State by submitting artwork that could be featured in outdoor spaces around campus.  

The Office of Student Life and Kind Columbus are hosting a contest for Ohio State students, faculty, staff, alumni and Columbus community members to submit artwork that could be featured in outdoor spaces around campus. These Instagrammable Walls will help promote kindness, positivity and mental health support on campus and in the Columbus community. In addition to seeing their artwork displayed around campus, winners of the #BeKind Instagram Wall Contest will also receive $500 to donate to a non-profit organization from the Columbus Foundation’s Giving Store of their choice. 

The #BeKind Instagram Wall Contest is open throughout February 2021. To lean more and submit artwork please visit the Kindness Website 

 

Welcome to the Be Well Blog

Welcome to the Be Well Blog – a holistic wellness blog geared for college students brought to you by the Student Life Student Wellness Center. The Be Well blog will provide education on a variety of wellness topics through written post, videos, and pictures. We will also share events, opportunities, and provide a different view of the Student Wellness Center. Subscribe and share with your fellow Buckeyes! We hope this blog will help you on your journey to Be Well and Thrive!