Bobcats FIRST

The Mindful Monday for Nov. 16 is all about getting a change of scenery. Sometimes, spending too much time in the same environment can make it harder to stay focused, feel motivated, or find inspiration. A simple change of scenery can help refresh your mind and give you a new perspective on whatever you're working on. Some ways you might switch up your routine might include studying somewhere new on campus, taking a different route to class, enjoying your lunch outside, or visiting...

The Mindful Monday for Nov. 9 offers some unexpected tips for getting a better night's sleep. When your thoughts are racing about all the things on your plate, falling asleep can feel impossible. We just want those busy thoughts to go away, but experts tell us to go ahead and think about them. Instead of staring at the ceiling, keep a pen and paper by your bed and take 5-10 minutes of "scheduled worry time" before lights out. Write down your thoughts and answer the questions: Can I...

The Mindful Monday for Nov. 2 is a reminder to give yourself grace. You don't have to have everything figured out -- no one really does. You are allowed to be a work in progress. The progress is enough. When you feel overwhelmed, it's often because you are comparing your progress against others'. Instead of thinking, "I should be doing more", "I'm falling behind", or "I'm not where I should be", try these internal messages instead: "My worth is not measured by my productivity." "It's...

The Mindful Monday for this week is about clutter in our space and in our mind. We often turn to shopping and spending money when we're feeling unfulfilled. Buying things can trigger a rush of dopamine that makes us feel good for a moment, but that good feeling can quickly wear off when we're surrounded by the burden of "stuff". The clutter from the things we bought can remind us of poor choices, and when we're feeling down again, it reminds us that the material stuff didn't really...

The Mindful Monday for this week offers tips for how to be a better communicator. We've all met people who are really good at making conversation, and they make the people around them feel welcome with their openness. These people are sometimes called "super-communicators", and there are several traits they share that anyone can practice. First, they know what kind of conversation they are having, so they tend to respond appropriately. Is it a practical conversation that calls for...

The Mindful Monday for this week is a reminder about positive self-talk. Do you ever feel like your internal voice is your own worst critic? No one speaks as negatively to us as our own mind, especially when we are under stress. That chatter is a trick -- it makes normal feelings of stress feel catastrophic, and it makes us feel like failures. Try a different approach by giving your internal voice a third-person perspective. Instead of "You aren't good enough," try this: "[Name], what...

The Mindful Monday for this week is a reminder that rest is productive, and sometimes we just need a five-minute reset. When you're feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, you can start to feel stuck and unable to get anything accomplished. Pause. Put your phone down and step away from what you're working on. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Use a few minutes to reset physically. Drink some water, roll your shoulders, stand up and move around. When you're ready...

The Mindful Monday for this week is a reminder to play! When did we stop playing? It was probably sometime in our teenage years, when we got the message that it wasn’t cool anymore to play and be silly. But when we were kids, we didn’t worry what everyone else thought. The joy of the moment blocked out everything else. Psychologists believe that play is just as essential for adults as for kids. When you see a puddle, jump in it. When you have the chance to color, do it! When we let...

The Mindful Monday for Sept. 14 reminds us to check in on a friend during National Suicide Prevention Month. Talking to a friend about mental health – whether you’re sharing your own struggle or asking about theirs – can be awkward. But it can make all the difference and can even save a life. “Seize the Awkward” encourages all of us to put aside our cringe and our fear and be there for our friends. You don’t have to have the perfect thing to say – just saying you care is a great start...

Join us for International Dot Day, a celebration of creativity, encouragement and resilience. Dot Day is based on the children's book, "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. Stop by the Den on Tuesday, Sept. 15, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to create a dot that represents how you plan to "make your mark" on the world. In collaboration with the Art Department, these dots will be transformed into a collage that displays the collective creativity of our campus.