“Remind yourself that if you think you already understand how someone feels or what they are trying to say, it is a delusion. Remember a time when you were sure you were right and then discovered one little fact that changed everything. There is always more to learn.” – Douglas Stone

Hey Y’all! My name is Ellie Anders Thompson and I am the MultiFaith Advisor at The William Jewett Tucker Center at Dartmouth. At the Tucker Center we focus on helping students engage with Spiritual Wellness. My interfaith work helps students develop the skillset and the knowledge base to become interfaith leaders here on campus, but also as a professional skillset for the workforce. Spiritual Wellness is often defined as the journey to find meaning and purpose in your life. Through that journey, however, we might become exposed to beliefs different than our own. Today, we will look at how to communicate bravely with others and engage in interfaith dialogue. When you engage in interfaith dialogue you have the incredible opportunity to be in relationship with other folks on the journey with you. 

Here are the ways that Brave Communications can happen through increasing interfaith dialogue:

1. Interfaith dialogue begins by building respect for different identities. We talk about how everyone has the right to their worldview identity, to express it, and to have it accommodated. But that is just the beginning of interfaith because once we create places and spaces where respect is the norm, this is when meaningful relationships begin to be built. Relationships between people who fundamentally disagree about some things, and find other common interests or values have a rich depth. When those folks model that relationship to the communities within their tradition or worldview it creates opportunity for those groups to work together toward a common civic good. This in turn makes our society stronger.

2. Explore your spiritual identity through practice. Each one of our worldviews, by this I mean our religious, spiritual, or intentionally secular identities, are made up of different beliefs, behaviors, and communities of belonging. Developing your spiritual well-being is the discovery of the different routines you will choose to engage with on a regular basis. For example, a regular meditation or prayer practice, and the frequency of your practice. In interfaith, you see others making different choices about their habits and you can appreciate and learn from them. You can have ‘holy envy’ or a deep appreciation for an element of a practice from a worldview other than your own. Sometimes you might even choose to try out a prayer or meditation style that isn’t from your tradition to have a greater understanding of other’s experiences. Because you are learning alongside others in interfaith relationships you have interesting glimpses into the behaviors of your friends.

3. Don’t shy away from having challenging conversations about beliefs. It really is one of my favorite things in the world to hear a new perspective, something I’ve never considered, or a new reflection on something. For example, during an interfaith dinner last year, we had conversation about ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. It came down to a conversation about the difference between joy versus happiness. All the participants in the discussion had this one way of thinking about joy, but eventually another person spoke up and shared a perspective I had never heard about their idea of happiness. It was so interesting, and I asked where their perspective came from because it was completely new to me. I was grateful they shared and gave us all a new angle to see from. It wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t been there to share. It was an opportunity to weigh my beliefs about happiness and joy and evaluate the impact that was having on my thinking and behavior.

Applications are now open for the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break trip to Washington D.C. Students will travel to Washington D.C. to engage with individuals and organizations doing interfaith work around social issues the group has identified as shared values across their variety of worldviews. Participants will come to see themselves as interfaith leaders who will effect change for a more pluralistic society.  Exploring worldviews can be a continual journey toward your spiritual wellness. It’s made even more rich by traveling with others. We hope to see your application! 

Better Together,

Ellie

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” – Brene Brown

Welcome back to the Student Wellness Center’s Fall of Brave Connections! As we delve deeper into exploring the varied and different avenues of bravery, we are joined by Denva Nesbeth Jr. ‘24, who offers insights into how tapping into their strength of vulnerability has served as a personal source of creativity, connection, and purpose.

“I’ve been making music since summer 2017, but it was in late 2022 when I finally gained the courage and confidence to release music on all streaming platforms, and it’s been rewarding in more ways than I could have imagined. Music has been a big point of vulnerability for me because of the amount of confidence it takes to openly put your work out there. I can make an instrumental I love, and it can exist as just a file on my iPad, but once it’s out in the world, it’s not directly mine anymore. There is a level of uncertainty in how it will be received. 

Here are my suggestions for overcoming that uncertainty, connecting with your creative side, and being more authentic in your expressions:

1. Continue working on your craft because over time you get better at what you’re doing. I mainly started playing beats for my friends 2-3 years after I’d been working on music, so that time allowed me to gradually improve, find my sound, and make things that I felt comfortable sharing.

2. Know that getting feedback from loved ones will only make your creativity better. If they enjoy it, it can give you further motivation to keep going. If they give some criticism, be open to hearing it because they can provide a perspective you never considered, which can expand your capabilities. When I started playing my stuff for friends and family, they were the ones that kept telling me to put something out and not keeping songs in the vault. Those responses were definitely a big catalyst in me getting the confidence to release my music out on all platforms.

3. Remember to not overthink because art is about how it makes you feel. I knew that “In the Stacks” would be the first song I would release because as soon as I hit play, it felt great and that’s all that matters.

Whether my music relaxes someone, soothes them as they meditate, puts them in a space of flow or focus, or hypes them up, I just want to make people’s day better. That’s the purpose of my music because that’s what it does for me. It alleviates stress, puts me in a place of flow, and provides a great feeling of fulfillment.

I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made through releasing my music and how it has further deepened the friendships I already have. Being open to the music within me had the beautiful ability to create a feeling of belonging and community with others who share similar interests. From making “In The Stacks” to “Reach Higher,” which touches different genres, to my upcoming album “Back in the Stacks,” it excites me to just continue making what I enjoy and I’m grateful for any person who listens.”

Written by Denva Nesbeth Jr. ‘24

Building Brave Spaces is the work of everyone. Whether you’re the captain of your sports team, leading your greek community, or coordinating a group assignment. 

Our nervous system instinctively seeks safety and comfort. When it senses danger, the amygdala triggers a response that affects our reasoning. For instance, a fellow classmate fearing their idea might be dismissed may choose not to speak up. Yet, by gradually building resilience to fear and discomfort, the nervous system and body-mind adjusts, and speaking up becomes more natural.

Prioritizing acts of courage and bravery lays the groundwork for psychological safety. In educational settings, these acts might involve sharing personal stories, initiating challenging conversations, or supporting learning for others. These actions strengthen our emotional and psychological fortitude, creating an environment where courage fosters true safety.

Steps to Establishing a Brave Space & Environment:

1. Acknowledge Diverse Perspectives: Understand that each individual brings unique experiences and viewpoints. Recognize and accept these differences, acknowledging the necessity to overcome biases.

2. Set Clear Expectations: Before conversations begin, establish expectations and ground rules. Allow marginalized voices and those with less power to speak first, and ensure equal opportunities for everyone to contribute.

3. Foster Personal Connections: Develop genuine interest in others and connect with them on a personal level. As a student leader, finding time to meet individually and build personal connections can ultimately encourage open communication.

4. Cultivate Empathy: Radical acceptance and attentive listening are crucial components to cultivating empathy. Address issues with a problem-solving mindset and ensure meetings or group interactions uplift participants and make them feel empowered.

Building Brave Spaces isn’t easy, whether it involves sharing experiences or confronting biases. However, as members of the Dartmouth Community, when we commit to diversity and inclusion efforts, courage becomes second nature. With persistent efforts, a space emerges where every voice is valued and appreciated.

Article adapted from: https://www.dalecarnegie.com/blog/create-a-brave-dei-spaces-in-workplace/ 

For more on Braves Spaces see: 

• Arao, & Clemens, K. (2013). 135From Safe Spaces to Brave Spaces: A New Way to Frame Dialogue Around Diversity and Social Justice. In The Art of Effective Facilitation (1st ed., pp. 135–150). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003447580-11
• Speaking up on campus doesn’t mean shouting down others – by  Sian Beilock and Phil Hanlon

CONTENT WARNING: This post contains language and ideas around race and racism.  People who have been racialized may feel uneasy or even angry when engaging in this work.  Please recognize and allow yourself to take a step away when needed.  For those who have greater privilege, we encourage the practice of “courageous self-examination.” 

Welcome back to the Student Wellness Center’s Fall of Brave Connections! In this week’s reflection, we will focus on the courage it takes to embark on the inner work of racial justice. 

In the SWC Reflections post Who Are You Really? A 3-Step Process to Know Who You Are and What You Want, we encouraged those of us with greater privilege to take the necessary steps that contribute to a community where there is equity and opportunity for all – even if it’s uncomfortable at times.  But what are those “necessary steps”? For those of us that want to take action but are not quite sure where to start, it’s often helpful to start with…you guessed it… ourselves (and no, this is not selfish work, but an imperative step in unraveling the deep history of racial injustices). 

By taking time to identify our own relationship to inequity, race, and racism we can begin to “recognize and accept where we are and to investigate what must be changed to minimize the harm that our own views and blindspots cause others” and that this step, according to law professor, social activist, and mindfulness teacher, Rhonda McGee, is essential to the work of racial justice.

When it comes to exploring your own views (hidden and otherwise) related to race and racism, try this 4-step process* as a way to begin to examine your beliefs, conditionings, and behaviors. You may learn something about yourself you didn’t know was lying just beneath the surface.  And it might be uncomfortable. That’s where bravery comes into play. If we are to actively engage with social justice, we must be willing to see our own biases and racist tendencies and aim to unlearn them. Acts of bravery are rarely the easy way, but they are often the actions, words, and thoughts that create a better world for all.

As you consider race and racism in your life, gently and boldly move through these steps:  

1. The first step is grounding, or pausing – allow yourself the time and space for silent contemplation; to sit in awareness. Try our 5-minute Breath Awareness meditation to ground yourself and strengthen your attention.
   

2. The second step is seeing – with courageous self-examination, think of a time when you were interacting with someone of another race, a time when the fact of racial difference became apparent to you somehow. Ask yourself:
   
   What were some of the thoughts running through my mind?
   What notions of race do I recall being a part of this experience?
   

3. The next step is being —recognize and acknowledge that there is race and racism in your life, in your community, and in you. It’s not just something that exists elsewhere.  This part is key as it unlocks the ignorance that leads to complacency and inaction. You may notice a level of discomfort arising as some of what you will encounter doing this work will be unpleasant. 
   
   As a tool (even the most brave souls use tools!) to work with challenging feelings and thoughts, try out the evidence-based RAIN practice to help bring mindfulness and compassion to difficult emotions.
   

4. The final step is doing – be willing to engage in discussions about race, utilizing deep listening, non-violent communication, and taking risks to speak about race and other forms of social identity bias.
   
   Connect with the Office of Pluralism and Leadership for additional ways to advocate for social justice and/or for further education for communicating across differences, recognizing bias, and intervening in moments of harm.
    

*Inspired from the book The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by law professor and mindfulness teacher Rhonda Magee.

This is hard and challenging work, but now is the opportune time to lean into discomfort, and discover all the ways we can contribute to a world where every being is welcomed.  By knowing ourselves deeper, we can let go of unintentional harmful behavior and move towards greater equity and acceptance for all. 

If you are interested in exploring this topic in greater depth with your community, reach out to Laura.Beth.White@Dartmouth.edu for more information on our Waking Up to Racism In & Around Us workshop.

As we travel further into the unfamiliar territory of ‘Brave Connections,’ we will introduce a tool that helps us to differentiate between knowing whether the new ideas we encounter are challenging and exciting to us or draining and worrisome. This week, we are zooming in on our “Stretch Zone,”* a term for the space beyond our “Comfort Zone,” in which learning, growth, and transformation can occur. When we connect courageously with new ideas, new people, and new perspectives, we are actively engaged. We might feel anxious, uneasy, inspired, or exhilarated, all the while remaining in a grounding and present state. But these strong emotions can walk a fine line. They may even tip us into the “Overwhelm Zone,” or into a place of panic and disconnectedness. Follow these tips for engaging in brave connections in a manner that maintains our ability to be engaged and challenged, while also confident and grounded.

The Dartmouth community is full of opportunities for each of us to slide into our stretch zones. In fact, our campus is teeming with possibilities for encountering diverse people, cultures, and perspectives! By knowing our comfort zone, recognizing when we are in an appropriate place to stretch and learn, and courageously stepping into the unfamiliar, we are setting ourselves up for continued growth and personal enrichment.

Reflection Question:

What are some ways I have stepped outside my comfort zone this term? What do I notice about my emotions or my physical state of being when I am being “stretched”?

*Inspired by terminology developed by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults

 “What makes any act brave isn’t that it’s easy, but that it is done even amidst uncertainty and discomfort.” -Excerpt from SWC Reflections Who are you really? A 3-step Process to Know Who You Are and What You Want.

Welcome back to the Student Wellness Center’s Fall of Brave Connections! As we explore ‘Brave Connections’, we will continue to dedicate time and space to bringing  greater awareness to what bravery really looks (and feels) like and explore the ways we can activate this strength more intentionally into our lives.  Along the way we’ll reflect on many of the ways courage can be expressed with either ourselves, with others, or with the community.

In this week’s reflection, we will focus on the courage it takes to know and be our authentic selves. 

Before we can be brave in being (or staying) who we want to be, we first need to recognize who it is we actually want to be.  What values are guiding us towards that vision and what gets in our way from consistently being that person? Here are three ways to help you get started today:

• Know yourself better with this 12 minute Headspace meditation that guides you to “Connect you with your Core Self” and reminds you of the “beautiful things that make you unique.”

• Get clear on your values by identifying what is most important to you and what fills you with a sense of purpose.  Free journal on your own or check out the Living Into Our Values worksheet exercise created by research professor, Brene Brown, to help you gain greater clarity around this.

• Deepen self-awareness and kindly notice the times your actions, thoughts, words and intentions are counter to who you really are.  Mindfulness-based practices are one way to help you strengthen your attention and shine light on the moments that are not “you”. 

For some of us, what keeps us from being “who we want to be” has nothing to do with what is outlined above, but rather has everything to do with the systems and structures that are in place that can stifle our ability to speak up, to be our full selves, and to feel a sense of safety and trust to do so.  

With “Brave Connections,” we ask you to take a moment to consider areas of your life where you are more privileged or hold more power than others. Consider the systems you benefit from and how you can use your own power to courageously contribute to a community where there is equity and opportunity for all – even if it’s uncomfortable at times.  What makes any act brave isn’t that it’s easy, but that it is done even amidst uncertainty and discomfort.  

Stay tuned for the rest of fall term as we outline specific ways to support you in stepping more into the discomfort and vulnerability that ‘Brave Connections’ require.

Reflection Question:

What does it feel like when you are living into your values? What does it look like?

“What we need is not just to create safe spaces, but to create brave ones, where people are encouraged to challenge each other…to establish a culture of belonging where all people feel they can be at the table.”

– Sian Beilock, President of Dartmouth

Hey Dartmouth, 

As we turn the corner towards a new academic year we want to warmly welcome all of the recent new arrivals to Dartmouth (including our new President Beilock!) and give an enthusiastic “welcome back”(!) to all of those that have rejoined our shared community 

Our team at the Student Wellness Center (SWC) wholeheartedly wants to help create a community where everyone feels supported in being who they want to be, while living a life they want to be living, and empowered to help others do the same. And we recognize that it can be a tall order (and more than a little scary) to express who we truly are without fear of judgment, let alone creating spaces for others to do so. 

With that in mind, we will be exploring ‘Brave Connections’ this fall and how we can tap into our strength of bravery to collectively build a culture of belonging and authenticity. 

To kick-start this theme, let’s start at the very top.  What do we really mean when we say bravery?  The VIA Institute on Character says that to be brave is to act on your deepest convictions, and to face threats, challenges, difficulties, and pains, despite any doubts and fears.

Beyond the physical acts of courage we normally think of (eg. fire fighter running into burning building), bravery can also encompass acts of:

1. EMPATHY – the ability to sense others emotions and imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling
2. VULNERABILITY – the ability to face uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. 
3. COMPASSION – our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, and includes the desire to help.
4. GENEROSITY – virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly.
5. NON-JUDGMENTAL – letting go of the automatic judgments that arise in your mind with every experience you have. 
6. SELF-ACCEPTANCE – the ability to unconditionally accept both your strengths and your challenges (or areas of growth).
   

With those qualities in mind, our theme of ‘Brave Connections’ is all about recognizing that bravery is much more than exhibiting signs of power and strength. That it is equally, if not more, about tapping into the courage it takes to be vulnerable; to step into emotional uncertainty and let yourself be seen.  Whether it is through exploring our own inner worlds, connecting with others we typically wouldn’t connect with, exploring new and innovative ways of thinking, or creating spaces where all individuals feel encouraged to speak up and share their perspectives, ‘Brave Connections’ creates a culture that encourages authenticity and builds a sense of true belonging for everyone.

Each week this fall we will explore different aspects of ‘Brave Connections’ to  bring greater awareness to how bravery looks and feels and explore the ways we can activate this strength more intentionally into our lives within ourselves, with others, and in community. 

Our team at the Student Wellness Center (SWC) is grateful to have you as part of our community and can’t wait to get to know you better, 

Your friends at the Student Wellness Center

PS…
Remember the SWC is here for you – If you need someone to talk to we provide one-on-one wellness check-ins.  If taking time for yourself in a group experience would be best,  join in with others during our mindfulness meditations or  yoga classes. 

We’ll also continue to offer our Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) sessions to students who want to take a deeper dive into their wellbeing, our Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) trainings and offer other SWC resources and services.

Reflection: 

When have you felt the strongest sense that ‘you belong’?  What were the qualities of that time, space and of the people around you that contributed to that sense of belonging?

Written by Sid Babla

Welcome back to the Summer of Reflection with the Student Wellness Center! As Summer term comes to an end and we enter finals season, this week we look at our Intellectual Root of Wellness. This is an openness to new ideas, thinking critically, focusing effectively, and seeking out new challenges. It is being creative, curious, and engaging in ongoing learning inside and outside the classroom.

Here are a few possible ways we can begin to nourish our intellectual root as students:

1. Center Yourself – Being open to novel ideas and concepts that provide us with a new understanding requires focus and attention. This can be done by cultivating Mindful presence: the practice of being fully engaged in the present moment with a non-judgmental and accepting attitude. When our minds stop ruminating, we create space to focus on what truly matters. From this stems a clarity that reveals what action is needed for us to meet the present moment. 

2. Simplify to uncover the next action step – completing an assignment, learning a new skill or language, and working through a challenging problem set oftentimes have multiple sub-tasks and sequential steps. This can more often than not make our ‘to-do’ list seem overwhelming. Author Greg McKeown recommends identifying the first obvious action and committing to 10 minutes of focused action called ‘microbursts’. This overcomes procrastination and we start making immediate progress. For example:

Project	First Obvious Action	Microburst
Complete assignment	Open a blank document	Draft an outline for the paper
Finish class reading	Open course curriculum	Identify and search for reading material. Download book/mark it for quick access
Complete group presentation	Open email client	Write and send an email with a When2Meet link to group participants

3. Schedule it and Get to (Deep Work) – Every time we context switch, it takes about 23 minutes to regain the focus that we lost. Each time, it also requires more cognitive energy to reach the same level of focus. It’s no wonder that we find ourselves (cognitively) fatigued by 2pm on most days, unable to concentrate on challenging tasks. NY Times bestselling author and Montgomery Fellow for Summer 2023, Cal Newport ‘04 talks about the importance of deep work to overcome context switches by ‘time blocking’: scheduling an extended block of time to work on a singular, complex task without checking email or social media. (e.g. working to finish a first draft of a paper). 

This 3 step framework of centering yourself, identifying actions to build momentum, and scheduling time blocks is designed to help you go from zero to one in nourishing your intellectual root. Having a system to manage our attention and focus nurtures and grows our curiosity. The more intentional we are with how we use our attention, the more fulfilling our intellectual pursuits become. Over time, this sustains and grows our sense of wellbeing.

Sid Babla, Wellbeing Program Coordinator, Student Wellness Center

Written by Alleah Schweitzer

Welcome back to the Summer of Reflection with the Student Wellness Center! Summer term is winding to a close soon and with it, our journey guiding you to reflect on your roots of wellness. As we forge ahead in self-exploration, we pause to gently turn our attention to our Spiritual Root of Wellness, examining the ways in which we may cultivate a sense of purpose, inner peace, and connect to that which is greater than ourselves.

Here are just a few ideas to try in our efforts to nourish our spiritual wellbeing as students:

1. Practicing Self Awareness & Gratitude – Dedicate time towards the practice of introspection. Try breath awareness as a means of practicing self-reflection in a non-judgmental manner. Try yoga to help you remain in the present moment and to develop a deeper sense of inner awareness. Engage gratitude to develop a sense of appreciation for the blessings you do have in your life.

Reflect on your spiritual wellness: What are the values and beliefs you hold closely and how do they contribute to the deeper aspects of your life’s purpose?

2. Through our Connections with Nature – The time we spend in nature can spark a sense of wonder and interconnectedness. Whether we are heading to class, hiking through Pine Park, or simply appreciating the natural beauty in the sensations around us every day, connecting with nature can provide space for spiritual nourishment. And even if you can’t get outside, check out Headspace for a nature inspired getaway.

Reflect on your spiritual wellness: How might you already be connecting with nature in your day-to-day routine?

3. Through Meaningful and Brave Connections with Others – Connecting with those around you who share similar values and beliefs can help you engage in conversations that investigate and further define your spiritual identity. Consider joining a campus community or group that aligns with your spiritual traditions or interests. Attend an Interfaith Dinner for widening your exposure to different worldviews and carving out space for deepening your self-awareness and interfaith understanding. Seek confidential pastoral counseling for questions of faith, life issues, the loss of a loved one, and more.

Reflect on your spiritual wellness: What is one step I can take today to connect with others?

4. Engaging in Service and Giving – Participate in acts of kindness in your immediate Dartmouth community and beyond. Service to others, or causes greater than ourselves, can help us better define our sense of purpose and find fulfillment. Check out the Center for Social Impact on ways to get involved in a wide range of service-oriented engagements.

Reflect on your spiritual wellness: What can you do, in your own way, to give back to your community?

Reflecting on spiritual wellness is a personal journey only YOU can take—what resonates and is meaningful to you will differ from the needs of others. We invite you to regularly, and kindly, check in on all the ways you can continue deepening your connection to your beliefs and values. Our spiritual selves are ever evolving with time and new experiences. But the more habitually we can turn our attention to fostering spiritual wellness, the better equipped we can be to contribute, positively, to our personal and collective wellbeing.

Until next week,

Alleah Schweitzer
Student Wellness Center Wellbeing Program Coordinator

Post written by Alleah Schweitzer

Welcome back to the Student Wellness Center’s Summer of Reflection! As we explore our Roots of Wellbeing, we dedicate time and space to bringing awareness to each of the dimensions of our wellness, paying attention to the areas that deplete or fortify us. Along the way, we will pause and reflect, and equip ourselves with attitudes of kindness, patience, and curiosity. In this week’s reflection, we will explore our Environmental Root of Wellbeing and our capacity to feel renewed, balanced, and awakened by engaging with our natural surroundings.

It was only a few months ago that I was sitting on a snowbank alongside the roaring Big Wood River, less than a mile from my old home in Idaho. May was here and yet, the typical signs of spring were not. The past winter had been one for the record books. In fact, over five feet of snow still blanketed much of the region. Summer being around the corner felt as improbable as the notion of ever wearing a t-shirt again.

Despite the snow, I resolved to sit by the river that day— it was, in theory, spring. After post-holing a taxing quarter mile to the riverbank, I laid down a picnic blanket atop the snow crust. My mind was far away, spinning with worries about the things I still needed to do, and I could feel my pulse quicken as I bemoaned another cold, lifeless day. Every fiber of my being longed for the days of flip flops, bonfires, and juicy watermelon. 

Noticing that my worries weren’t serving me at that moment, I slowed my breath and directed my attention, instead, to my surroundings. My eyes caught the sunshine and the shadows of dancing, bare tree branches, which were projected like a filmstrip onto the white screen of snow at my feet. This movie played to the soundtrack of a raging torrent, thundering off the mountains and snaking past me into the valley below. Beneath the river’s song was the delicate rhythm of snow itself, clicking and dripping, as it melted. My nose detected sweet, earthy wafts of thawing leaves and pinecones. The numbing chill of the frozen landscape crept through my sweater and I, at last, tasted the light crispness of clean spring air. 

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature– the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson

The relationship I developed with my own backyard in that moment is something we can all try. We don’t even need a riverbank to do it! Here are some ways we can work towards becoming more rooted in our relationships with the environment: 

1. Practice land acknowledgement— Long before Dartmouth College was established, Indigenous nations like the Abenaki have been in relationship with the land. Land acknowledgements help us to recognize the longstanding history that has brought us all to reside on and learn on this land, including recognizing the enslaved and disenfranchised Black and Indigenous peoples who helped build Hanover, Dartmouth, and surrounding infrastructure. Bring mindfulness to our present participation in colonization and acknowledge the privilege we have in occupying this space.
   
   
2. Find nature wherever you are— Whether we are observing a ladybug on a blade of grass, a robin flitting past our window, or the warmth of sunshine on our skin heading to class, nature surrounds us and is always ready to be discovered. Dartmouth’s campus has ample spaces for the enjoyment of nature. Find a quiet place in nature and revisit it many times of year, at different times of day, alone and with others.
   
   
3. Use all of your senses and engage your curiosity in natural settings– Forest bathing, or “shinrin-yoku,” involves immersing yourself fully in a natural environment. This practice can provide many health benefits, including reducing stress and even lead to higher feelings of body appreciation. Find a quiet spot and try these tips for Forest Bathing.
   
   
4. Learn to recognize and manage eco-anxiety– As our relationships with nature deepen, we can experience feelings of grief, guilt, and despair at the recognition of environmental degradation and climate change. Use a mindfulness practice with Headspace to regulate your nervous system. Process feelings in a non-judgmental space by connecting with a counselor or setting up a Wellness Check In.
   
   
5. Take bold action– Mitigate feelings of eco-anxiety by making our voices and opinions known. Take this poll to help generate ideas and energy for student-led intersectional climate action on campus. Looking for other ways to take action on campus? Check out Dartlist or visit the Free Market thrift store (basement of North Mass) instead of buying new. Embrace sustainable bike culture. Volunteer at the O-farm.
   

Spring did eventually arrive. In fact, it was unfolding right before me on that riverbank (even if I was *sigh* wearing a turtleneck). I will never forget the understanding that came when I realized spring was something that I could participate in, rather than waiting for it to happen to me. My time on the riverbank, while only a few minutes long, provided me a sense of surety and renewal I never thought possible from noticing something as simple as the change of seasons. As I fell deeper into appreciating what many outdoor enthusiasts refer to as “shoulder season” or “off-season,” I found myself connected to an unlikely time of year, and with it, this planet and the natural beauty that is all around us every day.

Until next week,

Alleah Schweitzer
Student Wellness Center Wellbeing Program Coordinator