Self-care has been a common topic in this last year. “Give yourself grace,” a common phrase. The stress of this past year’s challenges has shown up throughout our lives, at work, at home, and within our relationships. In response to what we as an alumni board are seeing and feeling ourselves, the IU South Bend Alumni Association board wanted to provide some self-care programming for alumni.
We kicked off the series with a stress management workshop by Assistant Professor of Psychology Rebecca Kinsey. She identified four non-negotiables necessary for a strong foundation and recommends reviewing your habits related to them when feeling stressed. These non-negotiables include eating healthy foods, getting enough rest, connecting with your support system, and exercising to release endorphins. When you’re feeling stressed go back to the basics to see what adjustments you can make in these areas to improve your well-being.
Additionally Dr. Kinsey encourages nurturing positive emotions to build resilience, which in turn helps us bounce back from adversity. Identify what brings you joy or a sense of purpose. What fills your cup? Savor positive and meaningful moments to carry you through challenging situations. Consider mindful meditation and breathing exercises to help bring you back to center when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Christine Bettcher, MS Ed ’08, is a counselor at IU South Bend’s Student Counseling Center. She created several mindful moment videos last year in response to our social distanced environments. Check these links for quick one minute suggestions for relaxation breathing, letting thoughts flow like water, and using your senses in mindfulness. Christine has also shared a self-reflection of her response to the pandemic which offers additional resources for us to use to help center our own thoughts and feelings.
For alumni parents and caregivers working through transitions in education and guiding children through their emotions, we are happy to offer access to Parenting in Motion, with on-demand videos for you to view based on your interest and availability.
Parenting in Motion (PiM) was a virtual summit featuring many Michiana-area professionals and resources held October 27-29, 2020. The summit was the idea of local Psychologist Dr. Margaret Jessop, who developed the event with the help of Mindful U and SJC Cares. Dr. Jessop’s aim was to gather local experts to support those raising children and youth during the Covid-era, and to underscore the therapeutic and physiological benefits of physical movement in combatting stress and anxiety and enhancing mental wellness for people of all ages. Among others, PiM features presentations by IU South Bend alumni Benjamin Domonkos, ‘BS Ed ‘11, MS Ed ‘ 19; Angela Henry, MSW ’02; Colleen Spano, BGS ’05, MS Ed ’11; and MJ Murray Vachon, MS Ed Counseling ’87; and IUPUI alumna Donna Voor, MSW ’93.
Each PiM session is approx. 30 minutes long and available for you to view at your convenience.
SJC Cares is the System of Care consortium in St. Joseph County, which strives to support local families and organizations in caring for the mental well-being of youth. More information on Parenting in Motion’s developers can be found at: