BustMyStress Newsletter - Spring Quarter - Week 3

Spiritual Wellbeing and Sexual Assault Awareness Month at UChicago

This week, we're talking about Spiritual Wellbeing. Spiritual Wellbeing is defined as discovering meaning and purpose in life and understanding the beliefs, values, and ethics that help guide your life. For some, this may include participation in a particular religious tradition, and for others, this may an individual journey focused on questioning and clarifying your values. Spiritual wellbeing is so important because it can help you cope with trauma; reduce anxiety, stress, anger, and depression; enhance your quality of life; and increase feelings of peace and hope.

If you engage with a particular religious tradition, the month of April may be a particularly tough time to be away from family and friends because it features many major religious traditions' religious holidays, including: Ramadan from March 22 - April 20 and ending with Eid al-Fitr from April 21-22; Passover from April 5-13; Holy Week from April 2-8; Easter on April 9; and Holi, celebrated by UChicago student groups on April 23.

If you find yourself struggling because you are away from family or your traditions, there are other ways to stay connected during this time:

- Honor the feelings that you are feeling

- Do something for others (check out the University Community Service Center)

- Get connected with a local faith community (check out UChicago Spiritual Life's religious advisors)

- Practice self-care (routinely practicing mindfulness and gratitude can help)

- Make your own traditions

If you're interested in starting to explore a new spiritual journey, check out this article about the science of spirituality. If you are interested in engaging with your spiritual wellbeing at UChicago, check out UChicago Spiritual Life for additional support.

The Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) program and UChicago Spiritual Life are hosting their Trauma-Informed Meditation Series starting this evening from 6:00-7:00pm. The series will continue for the first three Mondays of April. This series will be facilitated in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The themes of the three Trauma-Informed Meditation sessions are:

- April 3: Grounding and understanding trauma self-compassion

- April 10: Embodied practice healing meditation

- April 17: Forgiveness meditation and Tonglen

To register for this series, complete this short survey. Follow this link to learn more about the other Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities at UChicago. If you are a survivor of Sexual Assault and would like additional support, contact the UChicago Center for Awareness, Resolution, Education, and Support or call the Sexual Assault Dean-On-Call through the UChicago Safe App or by calling UCPD Dispatch at 773-702-8181.

For this week's study break quiz, take a road trip throughout the US and it'll guess your favorite season!

Take 10 is an initiative intended to encourage all members of the UChicago community to rest and connect with others. Join us to participate in Take 10 events from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM across campus on odd-week Thursdays this quarter! We hope you drop by and take 10!

Restorative yoga classes at UChicago Student Wellness will help ease tension and melt your worries away. Using props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets, you will relax into postures that are held for several minutes at a time. We use mindful breathing and meditation techniques that are sure to leave you calmer and more grounded than when you walked in the door. Join us at the Student Wellness Center on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM.

20 Minute Still sessions allow you to take a moment to pause and join the Office of Spiritual Life for twenty minutes of facilitated meditation to still the mind. Twenty Minutes Still takes place on Mondays from 5:00-5:20pm in Ida Noyes Hall 034. Cookies and coffee/tea are provided.

Yoga Classes from Spiritual Life are offered in both a virtual and in-person modalities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during Winter Quarter. Check out the most updated yoga offerings here.

Wellness Coaching allows students to examine their strengths with a wellness coach to navigate transitions and achieve desired changes they’d like to make in their lives. Interested students may schedule a 90-minute session with a Student Wellness coach or a 30-minute session with a TimelyCare wellness coach. Visit this page for more information.

Let's Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness. No appointment is necessary. In-person sessions are held throughout Autumn Quarter on Mondays and Fridays. Let's Talk has more information.

Buddy Up offers graduate and professional students the opportunity to join a network of peers wanting to meet with students across campus. Students are paired up with a new buddy every two weeks. Students may register here or email Carolyn Banner at cbanner@uchicago.edu with questions.

Food Security Resources provide short-term support for students experiencing difficulties with food access. Please reach out if you or someone you know is worried about running out of food, skipping meals, etc. Graduate and Professional Students can contact Student Support Service studentsupport@uchicago.edu, and Undergraduate Students can contact the Center for College Student Success ccss@uchicago.edu. You can also apply for grocery vouchers here.

FitChicago offers an array of fitness opportunities for you seven days a week. Everything from foam roller classes to Zumba! Check out the Winter Quarter class offerings and schedule here.

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