Mindfulness in the Life of a College Student

What do you picture when you hear, "college students practicing mindfulness?" A a 20-year-old meditating in their dorm room? A group of friends practicing mindful communication? Or maybe a college sophomore skipping a party to stay home and journal about the importance of gratitude. Sounds a bit silly, right?

Well, as a rising junior at the University of Washington, I can tell you that it doesn’t quite look like that. Many young people may not even realize they're practicing mindfulness when they are. In my case, as a young woman with a parent in the mindfulness business, I can understand that what I view as a simple way to relax might also be a mindfulness technique. But even still, my approach might look different than traditional meditations or micro-practices.

At its root, mindfulness is simply "the awareness that arises when we pay attention, on purpose, to the present moment, without judgment"—and that can manifest in a multitude of different ways. So what does mindfulness look like in the lives of college students?

Spending Time Outside

While you might think that "kids these days" are always inside on their phones—and sometimes you may be right—we do actually come out of our rooms every so often. I’m fortunate that my university is on a big lake because one of my favorite things to do is go swimming and tanning with my friends. Growing up, you could always find me swimming, whether that be in Lake Michigan, the neighborhood pool, or even the ocean. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that it can be hard to make time for a day of fun at the pool or the lake. But when I do, I really notice the difference. It's something so innocent and reminiscent of the carefree times in my life. Reconnecting with my inner sense of play and joy really helps me stay grounded and provides distance from the stress of everyday life. Another way I love to get outside is going on walks! Paired with a coffee and a best friend, walks are an excellent method to carve out some quality time, move your body, and get some fresh air.

Self-Care

Being on your own for the first time, it can be a struggle to remember your basic needs—like eating nutritious food, getting proper sleep, and keeping yourself, your space, and your clothes clean. But many students quickly realize the value of self-care and how making time to take care of yourself can help settle your mind and relax your body. My absolute favorite thing to do when I'm stressed or feeling emotional is to take a nap. College students might not get eight hours every night, but boy do we know how to sleep during the day.

Taking a hot shower is also a great way to insert a little mindful moment into your day. Feeling clean and refreshed can often be the key to turning around a bad day. The warmth of the water and the smell of my favorite shampoo always boosts my mood. A nice, warm bath is also a great place to wind down and de-stress at the end of a long day.

Listening to Music

You would be hard-pressed to find a generation that relies on music as much as we do. Growing up with radios in our cars and homes, and having phones that can play anything, anytime, anywhere, music has been a comforting companion almost all our lives. We often use music to express ourselves and communicate with each other. Music can be a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings, but can also help to build feelings of compassion. When I hear lyrics or sounds that resonate with me, I feel like someone is experiencing my emotions alongside me and it reminds me that I'm not alone.

During a transformational time, like college, music can be a profound comfort through all the ups and downs. For me, certain songs can bring back some of my favorite memories or hold me when I'm dealing with big feelings. Music is also a great way to connect with those close to you. Whenever I go home, I share new songs with my family and friends and I know that when they hear my favorite songs, they’ll think of me while I'm away.

Now, you might say to yourself, these are normal, everyday things. So why would they have such an impact? Because that's just what mindfulness is! It can come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone's journey is different. But paying attention to simple things that bring you joy can really make a difference. For college kids, these simple pleasures are a way to bring color to our days and help us appreciate the present moment. As we mature and evolve, our interests will diversify, and our world will get larger. But we have created our own space to grow on the campus we call home.

Mindfully yours,
Thora

If you’re looking to connect to more joy and the simple pleasures in your own life, join Inseus for our upcoming Mindful Self-Compassion Short Course starting September 8th. This bite size offering will help you to cultivate your own toolkit of practical, accessible skills to integrate mind self-compassion into your daily life—unlocking a healthier, happier, more peaceful you.