By: Gigi Shannon, Undergraduate Intern
During the gloomy winter months, especially here in the Lansing area, it’s difficult to stay motivated and one easily falls into a slump. In order to counteract this, we often turn to focusing on our mindfulness and wellbeing by practicing self-care. Of course, caring for oneself is crucial; one can’t care for others if they haven’t first cared for themselves. However, it’s important to think critically about why self-care has been such a buzz word in the past several years.
The modern trend of mindfulness and wellness has been influenced by the capitalist society we live in. The mindset focused on the individual is a degradation of the concept’s inception in religions like Buddhism. In its Buddhist roots, mindfulness is reached through altruism, selflessness, and a focus on community. The Buddhist concept of anatta, or selfless compassion, contradicts the individualist attitude surrounding selfcare that is often practiced in the west. A way to practice anatta in your own life may be to engage with your community, and thus eachieve joy and well-being through selflessness.
According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering and engaging with the community has many mental health benefits including decreases in depression and anxiety. This winter, to combat the typical gloominess associated with the season, try engaging with the community to keep your spirits up. You can stay tuned with our office for upcoming service opportunities or check out the Center for Community Engaged Learning here at Michigan State.
Interested in sharing your own "Thought Of The Day" or TOTD? Email us at wss@msu.edu.
Comments