Ask an Owl: Wellness Tips & Tricks Part I

by Fau Students | Thursday, Apr 13, 2023

HeadSpace

Reviewed by Marissa Lippinkhof

I like the app "HeadSpace." HeadSpace is a mindfulness app used for meditation. It offers guided meditation, sleep meditation, and breathing exercises. You can listen to calming sounds and music using the “sleep mode” in the app. The SOS section has small meditations for when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, as well as breathwork to help relax and calm you down. The app also has an exercise section that offers mood boosting and at-home workouts, including a 28-day mindful fitness and cardio course. HeadSpace offers two auto-renewing subscription options for $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year. 

I had never meditated before getting this app. However, last semester I was feeling very stressed so friends recommended I try meditation. I was very skeptical of meditation at first, but I decided to download HeadSpace to help guide me. I got the free version, which has short, 5-20 minute, guided meditation videos with relaxation noise. Trying the meditation exercise felt awkward at first, but I noticed that after a couple of trials, I felt more relaxed and was able to regulate my breathing better. I recommend getting the premium version of the app because it unlocks all the features. Otherwise, you only have access for a week, or the 3-minute daily meditation. The premium version was a lot better because I really like the sleep noises, which help me fall asleep a lot quicker. 

Relaxation Strategies

By Calyssa Setterberg

I do not have a specific mental health app that I use to track my emotions or to relax as I prefer to de-stress away from the screen. If anything, Spotify could be considered an app I use for my mental health – crafting playlists for each mood and utilizing music to unwind – but overall, my strategies are based in real life. One of my favorite parts of the day is going on the swings with my friends and listening to music. The sun, the breeze, the conversations, and seeing all of the wildlife helps to calm my mind and prepare me to go back to work. I also enjoy crocheting and solving a rubik’s cube as a mental break. Doing something with my hands that requires little thought is a nice way to breathe for a moment. I am a dancer, so I naturally turn to this form of art to express my emotions and release frustration, worry, or confusion. Also, having a set schedule and plan for the week helps my mental health; simply seeing my assignments written out puts into perspective how achievable they actually are. I do not have one strategy or little piece of advice for mental health, but I recommend spending time with the people you love and doing little things that bring you enjoyment as often as you can. :) 

MyFitnessPal

Reviewed by Anonymous

This is an app where you can log your calories. There is a free version, or an upgraded version with access to more specific features like meal plans and component breakdowns of the foods you eat. 

Back in high school I had a lot on my schedule and would more often than not forget to eat, leading me to eat one (maybe two) "meals" a day, or sometimes forgetting to eat anything entirely until lunch or dinner the next day. I say “meals” very loosely since I would usually just grab the most random, definitely not nutritional, thing from my pantry. The easier the food was to eat, the better. In my mind, time spent on cooking was a waste of my time that I could have spent doing my homework. Come my final year of high school, I decided I wanted to start working out and quickly realized that the way I had been eating was a hazard to my health when exercising. Not only that, but it also stunted my progress since my body wasn’t getting enough nutrients. I decided to download MyFitnessPal as a way to hold myself accountable for eating a sufficient amount of calories in a day, and it helped me break my bad habits. It is important to note though that this should not be used obsessively and it is okay to not be 100% accurate when logging meals, as this might develop other food-related worries or unhealthy habits. In fact, I even deleted the app once I had begun to consistently eat well again. But when used in moderation, this app can be useful for those who want to make sure they are eating an acceptable amount in a day.

Podcast: Let Go with Lucinda

By Marissa Lippinkhof

One of my favorite mental health podcasts is called "Let go with Lucinda." They are 40 minute episodes where Lucinda Basset, an anxiety book author and expert, talks with people who are struggling with anxiety and helps them find coping strategies. Whenever I feel anxious, I find these episodes to be very helpful. She also adds positive thinking mantras in the episodes.

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