The Flourish, November 2022
Embracing Change
November is a time full of many changes– midterm exams, the election, changes in weather, stress of the holidays– each of which can bring on their own emotions and feelings. If you find yourself feeling heavier than usual, know that you are not alone in these times.
This month, we share some tools and resources to keep you grounded for whatever comes your way. Read on to learn more about how you can embrace these changes, how to incorporate more gratitude into your life, and ways to cope with those gloomy thoughts. We also highlight student tips for managing test anxiety, as we know midterm season is among us.
Autumn Energy is Potent.
It can feel yummy. And it can feel rushed. It's the crackling activity of campus. It’s "I'm excited about my life!" and it's "I must do all the things right this very second or the magic will disappear!" Autumn energy is a leaf about to fall but it hasn’t yet; it’s the dramatic make-the-most-of-this before the inevitable hush of winter. We rush through the moments wanting to soak it all in, and we never breathe long enough to actually… soak it all in.
The Power of Gratitude
Gratitude is powerful. Often underestimated and overlooked, the practice of gratitude has transformative potential, even in the most perilous (or dismal) circumstances. Science tells us that cultivating gratitude in our lives leads to greater health, happiness, and resilience, but how on earth is it possible to practice gratitude when the circumstances of our lives make it difficult to feel grateful?
5-SURE is Ready to Keep You and Your Peers Safe
We understand that campus safety is top of mind right now. To reduce risk and ensure the safety of you and your peers, 5-SURE Safe Rides and 5-SURE on Foot offers FREE assistance to get you home safely. Simply call 5-SURE at 650.725.SURE (7873) to request a ride any evening/night of the week. On weekends, stop by the 5-SURE on Foot table on the Row for snacks, stickers, and a walk home!
How to Ease Test Anxiety
Midterm season is here and you may be finding yourself overcome with nervousness and anxiousness. As a result, many experience test anxiety, which interferes with your ability to perform well on tests. Test anxiety comes with emotional and physical symptoms, including racing thoughts about failure, rapid heartbeat, headache, and nausea. The good thing is that there are multiple strategies that can help reduce your test anxiety. Discover which ones work the best for you! We also cover what qualifies as academic accommodations and how to get support if test anxiety continues to be a problem.
SAD About the Sleep You're Getting?
Finding it difficult to stay awake throughout the day? Feeling more fatigued than usual these days? This may not just be due to burnout from the quarter… you may be suffering from SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. Aside from causing gloomy thoughts, SAD can have an impact on your sleep, resulting in feelings of fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and/or hypersomnia. Learn more about SAD, its impact on sleep, and how to get better sleep during the fall/winter months.
What’s Flourishing This Month?
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 12 p.m. PT. The Certificate in Critical Consciousness and Anti-Oppressive Praxis (Info Session). An annual cohort program that prepares graduate students and postdocs in STEM fields to navigate a dynamic future from a position of knowledge, empathy, and justice. Grounded in critical theory and Black Feminism, the program teaches critical understanding of identity and positionality; past and present oppressive structures; and inclusive practices for transformative change. RSVP for an info session on Wednesday, November 9 at 12 p.m. Applications due Monday, Nov. 28.
- Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT - Flip the Script (Workshop): Are you interested in sexual assault prevention? The SHARE (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education) Office is hosting the Flip the Script workshop to teach femme students tools for resisting sexual violence. This 12-hour evidence-based program will take place on November 12th and 13th from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (with a 1-hour lunch break). Snacks and lunch will be provided. If you are interested in this program or future offerings of this program, please fill out the interest form.
- Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. PT - Student Grief and Loss Gathering: If you are currently or have ever experienced the death of a significant person in your life, or are experiencing feelings of grief in a time of uncertainty, this is an opportunity to share your experiences, suggestions, and concerns with others in a safe and supportive environment. This event is free and open only to Stanford students. Event to take place in the Common Room, Old Union 3rd floor. Learn more.
- Monday - Thursday, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. PT through December 8 - Yoga and Guided Meditation: Check out these weekly opportunities to engage with others in the community for meditation and yoga. Open to Stanford affiliates. Sessions are free and no pre-registration is required. Bring your own yoga mat for yoga sessions. Sessions to take place at CIRCLE Sanctuary, Old Union, 3rd floor.
- Currently recruiting for Winter Quarter 2023! - Let's Talk: Men's Group. The Confidential Support Team (CST) is planning to offer a group for male-identified students who have had difficult sexual experiences to share, connect with others, and receive support. Men of all sexual orientations and genders within this spectrum are welcome including Gay, Queer, Bi, and Transgender. This group will provide participants the opportunity to share experiences, connect with other men, and receive support in regaining a greater sense of control and empowerment in their lives. CST is currently recruiting for Winter Quarter 2023. The group will either be Monday at 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. or Friday at 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Please express your interest and preference for meeting time.
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.