Compassionate action is rooted in the understanding that we are all connected, and that the well-being of others is intimately tied to our own. By acting compassionately, we not only improve the lives of those around us, but we also strengthen our own sense of purpose and fulfillment. Additionally, research has shown that engaging in compassionate action can have positive effects on our mental and physical health, as well as our overall sense of happiness and well-being.

Compassionate action refers to actions taken with the intention of reducing the suffering of others. This begins with ourselves. By resolving our own suffering, we are able to access and act from a space of inner fulfillment which creates a capacity to be present for others. Further, it involves a willingness to empathize with others, and to take steps to alleviate their pain or difficulties. Compassionate action can take many different forms, such as volunteering time and resources to help those in need, donating money to charitable causes, or simply offering emotional support to someone who is going through a difficult time.

Here’s how to get started today: 

1. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion as a tool to treat yourself and others more kindly. Integrate these practices into your daily life by using more compassionate language when communicating with others and practicing self-care to promote your own well-being.

2. Engage in community service that align with your academic coursework or values: Volunteer at local organizations like WISE or Willing Hands or reach out to the Center for Social Impact for service programs that you can participate in through Dartmouth. By combining academic learning with hands-on service, you can develop greater empathy, become more engaged in your community, and learn new skills to help you build connections and make a positive impact on the world around you.

3. Embrace sustainability: promote a more compassionate world for both current and future generations by reducing your use of single-use plastics, conserving water and energy, and choosing environmentally-friendly products into your daily life.
   
   One of the best remedies for eco-anxiety and climate grief is DOING SOMETHING – one easy action you can take right now (literally, right now!) is filling out this quick poll to show your support for bold climate action right here at Dartmouth.

4. Engage in Peer Support: Reach out to friends who may be struggling with challenges and offer emotional support, encouragement, or practical assistance. By practicing empathy and compassion towards our peers, we not only help them to feel seen and heard, but we also build meaningful connections that can contribute to a sense of community and belonging. 

For more on this theme stay tuned to our weekly newsletter and Insta account for weekly resources, tips, and reflections.

Written by Sid Babla

Classes are almost over. Take a deep breath. You got this.

Instead of rapidly moving on to the next thing on your agenda (finals, spring break plans, etc.) take a moment to pause and take stock of all that you worked on this past term. Celebrate the successes, acknowledge the setbacks, and give yourself a moment to just breathe and be. Taking moments, even fleeting ones, to pause can help you reset for what’s to come.

That’s exactly what helps Dartmouth student, Denva Nesbeth Jr ’24, de-stress and thrive:

I view wellbeing as one of the most important aspects of my life. Considering the multitude of responsibilities I have on and outside of campus, I actively make sure I give myself breaks and do things to ensure that I’m in a good mental space. Whether it’s working on music because I find it fulfilling or setting aside some minutes in the day for mindfulness to be present in the moment or spending time with my friends, my wellbeing and mental health are central to me. 

Denva Nesbeth Jr ’24

To take a page from Denva’s “wellbeing” playbook, we are thrilled to share his super chill and calming instrumental track, “In the Stacks”. Denva described making the instrumental last year in the spring while he was in the library and was inspired to create something that could be listened to while reading, studying, or doing any kind of work.

The “In The Stacks” single itself, as well as the full album, can be listened to while one is reviewing for a midterm or working on a problem set or a 10 page paper. You can also listen to it when you’re chilling with your friends or chilling by yourself or have it in the background while eating with friends. If you’ve had a long, stressful day or you feel burdened with problem sets or pulling an all-nighter, you can listen to help lock in or give you a relief of stress!

As we turn the corner towards finals — we offer this track as a gift to you. Listen to it on your own, with others, or you can often find it playing in the Student Wellness Center Tranquility Room (a space to help you pause and take a break while in the library). In whatever way the melodic beat of “In the Stacks” finds you, we hope it offers you respite from the demands and stresses of life.

Many thanks to Denva Nesbeth Jr. for opening our ears and hearts!

Denva Nesbeth, Jr. is a ’24 studying Mathematical Data Science with an intention to minor in FILM & Media Studies. He is the Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter on campus. He was previously involved in the Sustainability Action Program and as a research assistant with the Augmented Health Lab.