Self Care
Harmonizing Wellness: Music Therapy Tips for Mental Health
In the symphony of life, mental health often plays a leading role. Like a well-conducted orchestra, maintaining harmony within oneself requires a balance of many elements. Music stands as a universal language, and has the power to soothe the mind, uplift the spirit, and facilitate healing. It is important to explore the therapeutic benefits of…
Embracing the Fresh Start: Spring Cleaning for Mental Health
As we welcome the vibrant hues of spring, there’s an undeniable sense of renewal in the air. Alongside the blooming flowers and chirping birds, many of us feel a compelling urge to de-clutter and refresh our living spaces. April is Stress Awareness Month, and it’s brought to light the importance of handling our stress and…
Beyond Bubble Baths: The Real Talk on Authentic Self-Care
In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of self-care has become more than just a buzzword; it’s a heavily discussed movement. From Instagram influences promoting skincare routines to celebrities advocating for their meditation practices, self-care has become embedded into pop culture. However, in this new age of social media, the concept of self-care often can feel…
Is Self-Care Selfish? Self-Centeredness vs. Selflessness in Mental Health
In life, we often find ourselves swaying to the rhythms of obligations, responsibilities, and the needs of others. Amidst all this, it’s easy to lose sight of the most essential melody: the tune of self-care and self-love. We tend to gravitate towards our daily obligations and responsibilities and repress the self-care necessary to allow us…
You Can Restart Anytime: Expectations of New Year’s Resolutions vs. Reality
The new year brings intentions of resetting, creating goals, and making the most of this fresh start. Often, we find ourselves adopting new habits, exploring unfamiliar routines, and working towards the “best” version of ourselves. However, this exciting time of renewal and change can often come with heightened expectations. It’s easy to get consumed with…
Improving Your Mental Wellness: Where to Start
The clinical definition of well-being comprises four components: the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community. Simple, right? If only. In my one and half years as a college student, I have learned the importance of stress management, which…
A Guide to Navigating Mental Health Amidst Change
As the winter months settle upon us, seasons change, and many aspects of our lives do as well. Change can take on many forms and manifest in several ways, from minor adjustments to our daily routines to more significant transitions such as a new job, ending relationships, or relocating to a new city. These shifts…
How Humanities and STEM Students Alike Can Better Manage Stress
College is not easy. This fall, I began my sophomore year at Union College, and it is definitely much more challenging than the previous year, especially since I have all upper-level classes this term, two of them being biology classes and one other intensive political science class. Though students often jokingly debate which is more…
Creating a Sustainable Self-Care Routine for Students
Self-care is something that everyone talks about — but what does it actually mean, and how do you create a routine that is both effective and sustainable? As a student, self-care isn’t always easy to fit into my schedule, but it remains an important part of taking care of our mental health. As I’ve learned…
Your Perfect Self-Care Day: Expectation vs. Reality
A peek online will expose you to a seemingly unlimited number of self-care routines, tips, and advice. But take a second look, and you’ll see a disconnection between what internet influencers portray as self-care and what a self-care day actually looks like. What does it mean to care for yourself? Is it popping a different…
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.