In a world that runs at a never ending pace, it can be challenging to celebrate the little moments, slow down and achieve inner peace. The connection between the mind and body can encourage harmony in one’s day to day. 

Mindfulness

To achieve clarity and comfort on a regular basis, consider integrating mindfulness into everyday routines. “Mindfulness is being fully aware as much as possible to the things happening around you and within you,” University Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Reverend Todd Campbell said. Many find it difficult to integrate mindfulness and be still with their own thoughts. Why is this?

“Oh, FOMO [fear of missing out],” Campbell said with a chuckle. “If we do take time, if we do slip away for a little while, something’s going to happen that we will miss and we have to be okay with missing out on that thing.”

Missing out comes with the realization that everything happens in its own due time. The acceptance is realizing who we are and being content in what we’re doing. “I believe that we will receive what we need in the world at the time we need it,” Campbell said.

Mindfulness doesn’t always include sitting on the floor in an upright posture. It doesn’t have to be a whole process that has to be scheduled into the day, especially when it feels impossible to add anything else to the to do list. “It can be as easy as going for a walk and slowing down at a nice rhythm,” Campbell said. “Paying attention to what’s happening around us, the birds chirping, friends walking past us, the smell of the air, the taste that we may taste.” 

An additional resource hosted by Religious and Spiritual Life is “Pause” which takes place every Wednesday at four in the student lounge of the Carlton Student Union Building (CUB). “It’s an opportunity to pause from their busy schedules and to reflect, connect and just be in community with each other,” Campbell said. “Each week [we do] something fun, and at the end of it, you can leave the space with something to take on for the rest of the week too.”

Wellness

There is a connection between being mindfully healthy and physically healthy. Campbell used to be a hospital chaplain where he saw the relationship first hand. There were designated spaces for patients who chose to reflect spiritually and mindfully. “We saw that their health increased because there’s this correlation between a healthy mind and a healthy body, healthy soul and a healthy body,” Campbell said. “What we experience in life and the things that we don’t necessarily address head on can show up in our bodies. And if we can slow down, if we can slow our heart rate down, and slow our minds down, then that can impact our bodies in a very helpful way.” 

Finding the time and place to be both mentally and physically mindful can be a little difficult. Wellness and Recreation offers weekly programs for students who want to exercise with their community. “I think some of the things we offer, we do a lot of fitness classes that we hope people kind of take part in if they’re not as comfortable as going right into the weight room,” Director of Wellness and Recreation, Deana Lowry said. “We do have yoga classes and spin classes and dance fitness and strength training classes to kind of give people an extra instructor in that space so that they can help them make sure that they’re doing things correctly.” 

These programs offer a space and structure to give students extra support in their physical journey. 

Being intentional with your time and activities is the first step. “My advice is to make it a priority, like it’s not going to happen on its own,” Lowry said. “You got to carve out the time and make time, even if it is getting up a little bit earlier. And when you start to see the effects that it has and how positive it is, it almost becomes your daily life after that.” 

Students can get connected with Wellness and Recreation and view the program schedule via the Stetson University W&R app. Lowry also encourages students to visit the Hollis Center to learn more. “Our staff here, no matter where they work, love helping out and love making you feel comfortable in this space and finding kind of what your thing is,” Lowry said. “So please come ask questions, even if you just want a tour of the building.” 

Both Campbell and Lowry understand that physical and mental wellbeing is a crucial part of success.

“We can’t be champions in the world if we aren’t champions with our mental and spiritual health, and so if we, if we take care of our souls and our minds and our bodies, they’ll take care of us.”

• Campbell