May 18, 2021
How to Centralize Your Wellness During the Summer Term
Welcome to the first blog post of the Black Student Wellness Collective!
The blog will be updated monthly with the goal of sharing information on topics related to mental health and wellness for Black students at Brown University. You can also find helpful content on our Instagram page, @brown_bswc. If you have any suggestions for content for the blog, please submit it on the feedback form.
Given that it is a new term for first-year students, and a particularly difficult year for Black folks, it seemed fitting to start the blog with some general tips on how to make your overall wellness a priority during this summer term.
Focus on getting your basic needs met. This can’t be emphasized enough. It is so important to eat, sleep, drink water, and dedicate time to rest your body and mind every day, even if it is just for a few minutes. Consider trying the Do Nothing for Two Minutes Timer. If you have longer stretch of time available, check out this interactive self-care guide. Browse through the Black Wellness Resources page for more resources.
Be mindful of your screen time. While we are living in a time where most of what we do involves being behind a screen, try to take regular breaks away from your screens, even if it is just to close your eyes for a moment, stretch, or take a walk.
Rethink your feed. Pay attention to how you feel after being on social media. Do you feel energized? Inspired? Depleted? Enraged? Oftentimes, it’s difficult to notice how much we absorb from what we’re seeing on the internet. Pay attention to this and consider cleaning your social media feeds if needed.
Reach out for help when needed. There are so many resources here at Brown and beyond that can help you through difficult times. Take a look at our Black Wellness Resources page for a start. If you often have trouble reaching out for help, take a look at this article that shares some tips on how to start.
Find your people. Connecting with others is definitely more difficult these days but not impossible. It is so important to surround yourself with likeminded people who can understand and connect with you. Don’t know where to start? Considering looking into programming from the BCSC or the Black Student Union.
Don’t judge yourself. This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone. Don’t compare yourself to how others may be coping and remind yourself that you are doing the best you can at this moment.