“I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am.”
Sylvia Plath
Well-being is about one’s state of mental, physical, and emotional health. Improving one’s well-being can be a simple as going to bed an hour earlier or as complex has incorporating a mindfulness practices into a daily routine.
Often, I only stop to think about my well-being when it’s being compromised. As a college student, it is easy to get so caught up in schoolwork that sleep and self-care fall by the wayside. I have struggled with getting more than six hours of sleep every night. Sometimes,
I have to decide between class and lunch. And exercise? That’s another story. Free time always seems like the best time to catch up on papers and presentations.
This year, my third here at Mason, has been the busiest by far. Never before have I balanced so many credits and extracurricular activities. Days are filled with classes, meetings, and practices. Time in between is just enough for homework and a meal. This year has been a test of my ability to balance all of my commitments.
My most effective strategy for increasing my well-being as been to spend time with the people around me. One important component to my well-being here at Mason has been being active in MyNatural GMU. MyNatural is a student-led organization with chapters on campuses across the country. MyNatural is an organization that fosters sisterhood and positive self-image among Black women on college campuses. In the organization, we go on outings, have group discussions, and collaborate with other student organizations to bring the Mason community closer together. Every other Monday, we get together for meet-ups. We have had events that focus on relaxation, self-care, and supporting our peers. The Mason community is large, yet incredibly close-knit. In the Office of Leadership, Education, and Development, well-being is something that we have planned a few events around! Fall semester we hosted the De-Stress Lounge in Corner Pocket. There we had adult coloring pages, free food, relaxation crafts, and video games. It was an opportunity for Mason students to come together over pizza and skeeball and focus on fun. During the Spring semester, the LEAD Office was a part of the 3rd annual Somatic Leadership Institute. Somatic leadership highlights the connection between leadership with physical movement and presence. The facilitator, Jennifer Sinek, emphasized the importance well-being and leadership. Effective leadership requires that those involved consider their own well-being. Conflict resolution, communication, and many other aspects of leadership are enhanced when all parties involved are aware of themselves physically and mentally. That is somatic leadership.
Balance is something that I am still learning. I am a perfectionist and almost always put my studies before anything else.