Disordered eating and eating disorders are common issues on college campuses. Disordered eating can include excessive dieting, restricted eating, pre-occupation with food or weight, binge-eating, and/or purging behaviors. The majority of eating disorders onset before the age of 20—early identification of disordered eating behaviors are important before the illness spirals out of control. Eating disorders ... [Read more...]
Who experiences panic attacks? It’s possible to have a panic attack without being diagnosed with any anxiety disorder. It’s also possible to experience recurrent panic attacks when diagnosed with disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, or Obsessive Compulsive disorder. The symptoms of a panic attack vary from person to person, but common symptoms ... [Read more...]
This week's Be Well: Mindful Yoga mindfulness exercises focus on feelings, emotions, and sensations. When we are mindful of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations, we aren't fighting against them or avoiding them altogether. This helps to reduce stress through acceptance and acknowledgement. Below is this week's exercise. If you would like a downloadable MP3, please ... [Read more...]
Test anxiety can happen to anyone, and it affects some people more than others. Some students sit down for a test and have their mind go completely blank and their stomach twist into knots. Test anxiety can occur for many reasons—fear of failure, past problems with tests, or even genetics. There are many different ways ... [Read more...]
This week's Be Well: Mindful Yoga exercises focus on mindfulness of the breath. This introduction explains how mindful breathing helps us: Here is the exercise. For downloadable MP3 files, please contact wellness@spu.edu
Social anxiety might easily be confused with shyness—however, social anxiety is an extreme fear of being judged or scrutinized by others in social or performance situations. The unique experience of college may result in increased feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and shyness that may lead to social anxiety disorder. Being socially anxious during college can have ... [Read more...]
As part of the Be Well: Mindful Yoga program, we are able to provide audio files of the mindfulness and relaxation activities. These can be used to practice on your own at home. This week, we focus on taking a body inventory and body scan. These exercises are used to help us become aware of ... [Read more...]
Stress and anxiety are seemingly very similar, but the differences between the two are important. Stress is a natural response of the body. In small to moderate doses, stress can be motivating, though chronic can have adverse effects on the body. Stress comes and goes depending on daily events. Stress can be managed through changes ... [Read more...]