Breathe in. Breathe out.
It seems simple and easy, yet we often forget to stop and breathe for a second in the midst of our chaotic lives. Breathing is more beneficial than you may think. Inhaling brings in the oxygen that feeds the trillions of cells in your body, and exhaling expels 70% of the body’s waste. Now it doesn’t seem so simple, does it?
Feeling stressed is almost part of our everyday routine as students. Especially at Northwestern, life can be fast paced and demanding. Having a certain level of stress is healthy; the right amount of challenges in our lives help us grow. However, keeping up with our classes, our jobs, our relationships, and all that is required of us, can create the negative kind of stress we need to have under control to keep ourselves healthy.
Breathe is a mobile stress management resource, created purposely for Northwestern students by the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). In Breathe, you will find a variety of brief guided meditations and breathing practices, all based on the latest scientific research, to help you cope with stress, test anxiety, and lack of sleep. Breathe is meant to be used on-the-go; in-between classes, before exams, or when you need to take a brief time-out and recenter. Some of the techniques explore deep breathing, mindfulness, gratitude, muscle relaxation, and other tools to help you fall asleep.
Don’t forget to check back frequently because new practices will be constantly added to support you. If none of these practices seem to help you manage stress, maybe it’s time to talk to a professional. Make an appointment with CAPS, Health Service, or your doctor to talk and come up with a plan. Be proactive about your wellbeing, and remember to take a moment in your day to breathe.