The Flourish, October 2022
Your Guide to Flourishing on the Farm
If you find yourself feeling nervous, excited, and/or overwhelmed as you transition to the Farm, remember that you are not alone and there is a community here ready to support you.
To help you flourish– function well, feel well, and be well– this month’s edition features tips and resources to help you take charge of your mental health and well-being. Read on to learn more about flourishing, how to resist the Stanford Duck Syndrome, how to navigate the myriad of mental health resources at Stanford, and more. Let’s flourish, Stanford!
Don’t Be a Duck! How to Resist the Stanford Duck Syndrome.
There may be times that we look around at our peers and see many succeeding and gliding through the quarter. But the truth is that this it’s all an illusion. Underneath what seems perfect are students working hard to keep it all together– this is the Stanford Duck Syndrome.
It’s important to remember these feelings are normal, and that you are not alone. You belong here! There are many resources on campus to support you, especially during your first quarter, and by reaching out you are pushing back on the Stanford Duck Syndrome.
Flourishing on the Farm
Ever experience feelings of being burnt out, aimless, and/or lethargic? If so, you have experienced feelings of languishing, the all-too-common other side of the flourishing continuum, and the opposite of what we are after. We want you to flourish in and outside of the classroom. New to the term flourishing? Read on to learn more about what it means to flourish and how to flourish during your time at Stanford and beyond.
Mental Health Resources at Stanford
Life on the Farm will be full of new and unexpected challenges but that does not mean you have to navigate them alone. As you transition to life on the Farm, we encourage you to prioritize your mental health and well-being to better equip you for the challenges to come. Read on to learn more about mental health, how to care for your mental health, and resources available at Stanford ready to support you on your mental health journey.
Avoid Overloading Yourself with Units
As a Stanford student, it can be easy to feel the academic pressures and as a result, overload yourself in course units. It is important to remind yourself that your unit count does not define who you are as a Stanford student. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your coursework already, it may be time to revisit your course load and reconsider the units you are taking. Read on to determine if your course schedule is right for you and how to drop a class if you find yourself feeling overworked.
Circadian Rhythms and Routines: Cultivate Consistency for Improved Mental Health
Disrupted circadian rhythms can ruin your sleep, but can also negatively impact the processes in your body that regulate your mood. Since your limbic system and monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, etc) also run on 24 hour cycles governed by your brain, keeping your sleep schedule consistent can improve your mental health. In addition, maintaining a daily routine and planning out your day can have psychological benefits by reducing feelings of burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety, in addition to helping you get to sleep at night!
What’s Flourishing This Month?
Upcoming Events
- Queer Yoga: Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. PT, outside of Kingscote Gardens (weather permitting). Join the Weiland Health Initiative and YogaX in a queer community space of movement, group discussion and reflection time focused on yoga and life beyond. All bodies and identities are welcome! This class will be for all levels of yoga experience and will provide variations for poses and props to meet ALL body needs. Extra mats, blocks, straps, and blankets will be provided!
- SHARE, CST, and YWCA Open House: Wednesday, October 12 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PT, at Kingscote Gardens. Learn more about the SHARE Title IX Office, the Confidential Support Team, and Stanford YWCA while decorating delicious Halloween cookies!
- DisCo Hangout: BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks) & Study: Thursday, October 13 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. PT, first floor of the Student Services Building. Bring some of your favorite snacks to munch on as you study, in the company of other students.
- Flu shot clinics for students are now available at four locations: Koret Plaza, the Science & Engineering Quad, Clark Center, and the Graduate School of Business student lounge. To schedule an appointment, sign into the Vaden Patient Portal and select “Schedule an Appointment” > “Medical Services” > “Flu Clinic.” Questions about the flu vaccine? Check out these FAQs.
- Sunshine Walking: Joy through Movement with Francesca Maria will be held at the Burnham Pavilion on October 25th from 5:00pm-6:15pm. This event is a free event hosted by Health and Human Performance and open to the public with RSVP: https://events.stanford.edu/event/sunshine_walking_joy_through_movement
- QT Fund applications are open: Part of QSR and Weiland's mission to support the health and wellness of students in the queer and trans communities, the QT Fund is designed to support students' access to gender and sexuality affirming medical, legal, and mental health services. Learn more and apply for a grant of up to $500 by 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.
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.