The Flourish, January 2023
Your Winter 2023 Starter Pack
It’s the start of a new year and quarter – how is life tree-ting you so far? Whether you are excited for this fresh start, find yourself still ruminating over 2022, or are feeling a bit unprepared, The Flourish is here to support you with a Winter 2023 Starter Pack!
This month we offer an integrated savoring practice to guide you toward growth from challenges and struggles, as well as ways to find connection as you transition into a new year. Discover how to hit reset on your physical and mental health by focusing on your mental health hygiene and explore tips and resources to help you best prepare for 2023.
Savoring the Sweet, Salty, AND Bitter of the Past Year, Present, and Future
It’s the start of a new year and quarter…do you feel your mind already running a mile a minute? Whether you are already stressing over the new quarter or finding yourself ruminating over 2022, it can be helpful to overcome these feelings of angst through the practice of savoring. Discover how to savor the past, present, and future for a healthy and happy 2023.
The Importance of Practicing Mental Health Hygiene
When you think of hygiene, what are the first things that come to mind? Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, washing your hands? When it comes to caring for our body, we tend to prioritize our physical hygiene, but have you ever considered that your mind needs the same care? Discover what mental health hygiene is, the importance of practicing it, and the benefits you gain from doing so.
How to Navigate Feelings of Loneliness and Connection This Quarter
We’re entering a new year, a new quarter. Many of our resolutions undoubtedly include building community and seeking meaningful connection, but you may find yourself feeling hesitant, uncomfortable, or anxious to do so. Know these feelings are normal and you are not alone. Learn more about why you experience these feelings, how to move away from loneliness, and what you can do to find your sense of belonging.
Well-Being Tips From Two Stanford Students
As you look toward the upcoming year, it is important to take a minute to reflect on the past year. How did you prioritize time to care for your mental and physical health? Did your practice benefit your overall well-being? What unhealthy practices would you like to work on in the new year? By looking inward and understanding your behaviors, you can better prepare for the upcoming year with a fresh mindset.
Hit Reset on Your Sleep Schedule
Looking to hit reset on your sleep schedule? If you have struggled in the past with practicing good sleep hygiene, know that it is never too late to get yourself on a healthy and consistent sleep routine. Aside from helping you feel rested, a consistent sleep schedule can sharpen thinking, strengthen physical health, and aid in emotional regulation. Read on to learn how you can have a more restful (and healthy) 2023.
What’s Flourishing This Month?
Upcoming Events
- First session on Friday, January 13 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. PT - Kundalini Yoga Series. Join Rocky Blumhagen (Returning fellow, Stanford DCI 2019) as he leads a practice to help you relax, connect, nourish, and uplift your spirit through movement and breathwork. Bathe in the nurturing sounds of chants, gong, harmonium, music, and singing bowls. All levels are welcome from beginner to experienced. Yoga series to take place on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. PT at Stanford Memorial Church (Dates are: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3). No preregistration is required. Please bring your own yoga mat.
- First session on Wednesday, January 18 at 1 p.m. PT - Anxiety Toolbox. Learn about how stress and anxiety show up in your body, emotions, thoughts and behaviors, and gain skills to lower anxiety in each area. Increase your ability to manage anxious thoughts and develop skills to recognize the role of systems of oppression and conditioning in anxiety. This workshop consists of psycho-education, break-out groups, and skills practice. Multiple dates and times available to attend this two part, 1-hour each virtual workshop. To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 and ask for a pre-group meeting.
- Begins Wednesday, January 18 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. PT - Action Plan for Mental Health. Do you find that mental health issues make it difficult for you to thrive at Stanford? Would you like to identify the resources and support you need that are most helpful to YOU in managing your daily life? Developing an Action Plan for Mental Health helps identify feelings and behaviors, triggers that threaten wellbeing, while building toolbox of coping strategies, and other supports. This group will meet in person on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. PT (Dates are: 1/18, 1/25, 2/01, 2/08, 2/15, 2/22, 3/01, 3/08). To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 and ask for a pre-group meeting.
- Sign up by Monday, January 23 - The Algorithm: Self-image Support Space for Black and Brown Students. The Algorithm is a group for Black and Brown students to unpack their self-image through conversation and explorative exercises. Group to take place on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PT in-person, starting February 1. Sign up on the “INTEREST LIST- The Algorithm: Self-image Support Space for Black and Brown Students” in Vaden Portal rosters, in the "Groups and Workshops" section. The facilitator (Bianca Aaron, LMFT) will reach out to you to schedule a pre-group meeting. Please sign up by Monday, January 23 to allow time for the facilitator to meet with you.
- First session on Tuesday, January 24 from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. PT - Wise Mind DBT Informed Skills Group. This virtual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group is a quarter-long workshop-style group focused on how to identify and work with intense emotions. DBT addresses skills to understand and regulate emotion, tolerate distress, and be more effective in interpersonal concerns. This group will meet online on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. PT (Dates are: 1/24, 1/31, 2/07, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28). To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 and ask for a pre-group meeting.
- First session on Tuesday, January 24 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. PT - FLI Support Space. This space is dedicated for any student who aligns with the FLI (First generation in your family to go to college and/or low income student at Stanford) identity. Come connect with peers to openly communicate about your experience in the campus community. Explore how your unique background intersects with your mental well-being and develop a safe place to be your authentic self. This group will meet on January 24, February 15, and March 7. Sign up today! The facilitator will contact you to share information on the upcoming meetings.
- Tuesday, January 24 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. PT - Winter of Wellness: Cozy Comfort in Community. Enjoy a warm welcome by checking out the Winter of Wellness: Cozy Comfort in Community open house event. Partake in winter activities, such as knitting, while enjoying comfort drinks and food, a foot warming station, nap and relax room, and more! This event is free and open to Stanford students. Event to take place at Kingscote Gardens from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. PT.
- First session on Wednesday, January 25 from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. PT - Rooted! Black Graduate Students Process Space. Rooted! is a support group for Black-identified Stanford graduate students that is designed to be a confidential space for students to speak their minds, build community, rest, connect with themselves, and learn coping skills for managing graduate life at Stanford. This weekly support group will meet on Wednesdays 3:30 - 5 p.m. PT via Zoom (Dates are: 1/25, 2/01, 2/08, 2/15, 2/22, 3/01, 3/08, 3/15). To join, please contact CAPS at 650.723.3785 and ask for a pre-group meeting.
- First session on Thursday, January 26 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. PT - QTrees Support Group. QTrees is a process/support group for LGBTQIA+ undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford. Join us to connect with other LGBTQIA+ to process and support each other around your identity and how that may impact your experience. Group will meet weekly on Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. PT. (Dates are: 1/26, 2/02, 2/09, 2/16, 2/23, 3/02). Sign up on the "INTEREST LIST- Qtrees" in Vaden Portal rosters, in the "Groups and Workshops" section. One of the facilitators (Christine Catipon, PsyD and Sam Del Castillo, PhD) will reach out to you to schedule a pre-group meeting.
- First session on Tuesday, January 31 from 2:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. PT - Yoga as Healing. Yoga as Healing at Stanford is a free program for self-identified survivors of sexual and relationship violence/abuse/trauma who are ready to try gently & restorative yoga as a healing modality. Group will meet on Tuesdays from 2:30 - 4 p.m. PT. (Dates are: 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7), during which you would ideally be able to attend all sessions. Space will be available for the first 10 interested students (of all genders and levels of experience with yoga) who email Carley Jaskulski at ejaskulski@stanford.edu.
- January is National Stalking Awareness Month! Join the SHARE and WCC for Stalking Awareness Month Teach-In and Discussion. Learn more about stalking on Thursday, February 2 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. PT at the WCC Space. Various educational materials will be shown, followed by a facilitated discussion afterwards. Snacks and boba will be provided! RSVP at forms.gle/skCtpxiurtHHAQFw8.
For additional upcoming events, check out the Office of Student Engagement
The Flourish
This online publication is your monthly guide to flourishing on the Farm. The Flourish provides you with tips, articles, and resources on key monthly health and wellness topics to support your mental health and well-being.