WELLNESS & MINDFULNESS
Check out these resources below if you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed! We have everything from relaxing podcasts to wonderful book recommendations!
Book Recommendations ~ Apps & Podcasts ~ Habit Building Apps ~ Places to Visit ~ McMaster Resources
BOOK RECOMEDATIONS
Novel by Micheal A. Singer that describes how to uncover the source/fluctuations of your inner energy and how to free yourself from thoughts/emotions that limit your consciousness.
Novel by Baptist de Pape that explores the concept that the heart is more than an organ. It focuses on the powers of the heart such as forgiveness, gratitude, resilience and love.
In this book, the author makes the argument that everyone has an inner critic in their mind that reminds them that they are never quite “good enough.” Because of these thoughts, people often second-guess their actions and doubt their value as people. This voice inside everyone's head feels overpowering, but people can learn to manage it. Mark Coleman is a meditation teacher and therapist who helps his readers release themselves from their inner critics through the use of mindfulness/compassion.
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson is a well-researched user’s manual for anyone interested in how our bodies function.
The truth is...We all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle. The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more "space" in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness. With these habits, you'll have the clarity to prioritize what's most important in your life, what no longer serves your goals, and how you want to live on a daily basis.
Check out this link for 50 different mindfulness, meditation and wellness books.
Comment your book recommendations here:
MINDFULNESS APPS & PODCASTS
Headspace is a wonderful app to help you meditate, relax, focus and get out of your head.
Using this secure app, you can video, text, or speak with a healthcare provider in minutes from the comfort of your home. Doctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and therapists are available from 8am to 8pm EST everyday. Psychologist appointments are free for students on the McMaster health plan!
Discover your mind. Waking Up is a guide to understanding the mind, for the purpose of living a more balanced and fulfilling life. Join Sam Harris - neuroscientist, philospher, and New York Times best-selling author- as he explores the practice of meditation and examines the theory behind it.
Mindfulness podcast by Sam Harris
UCLA Guided Meditation Podcast. Includes guided breathing sessions to reduce stress, how to meditate when facing difficulties in life and meditation before sleep.
Click this link to check out 19 podcasts ranging from mindfulness mediation and coping with anxiety to the science behind happiness and gratitude!
HABIT BUILDING APPS
Cleanly laid out and minimalist in appearance, Habitify works as a journal for your habits. It divides the day up between morning, afternoon, and evening, giving you the perfect opportunity to slot in relevant activities in your chosen time period.
Habitica is a free habit-building and productivity app that treats your real life like a game. With in-game rewards and punishments to motivate you and a strong social network to inspire you, Habitica can help you achieve your goals to become healthy, hard-working, and happy.
Coach.Me is a habit tracking app that gives you access to professional coaches and a supportive community. Tracking your habits is an effective way to form new ones, but sometimes you need some extra motivation. If you don’t want to go it alone, then Coach.Me is the app for you.
PLACES TO VISIT
Check out this scenic hiking trail in Hamilton!
Amazing waterfalls and nature to be spotted near McMaster!
More amazing trails and sites to see!
MCMASTER RESOURCES
Check out the Mindfulness Center at the David-Braley Athletic Center! Whether you’re looking to do some yoga, meditation or Tai Chi, the Mindfulness and Wellness Centre is a great quiet space to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body. Through various partnerships including the Student Life Enhancement Fund, Great West Life, London Life and Canada Life Insurance company, the Centre was developed to help students and members find balance in their lives by strengthening their mental health.
A diverse and consensus-based community for McMaster students where we value, respect, and learn from each other. Creating forums to discuss life, spiritual and societal issues. Linking McMaster students to volunteer together in weekly groups throughout Hamilton
Mindfulness meditation is a practice that is designed to experience awareness in the present moment. The mindfulness meditation exercises available on in this link focus on the mind, body, emotions, and breathing. The narrative and the visual imagery are designed to assist with awareness and practicing being present. Mindfulness practice has been demonstrated to promote clarifying emotions, reducing stress, managing chronic pain, improving overall well-being.
McMaster Mindfulness Club (MMC) aims to educate students about the psychological and physiological benefits of mindfulness on the human body through various interactive workshops, events, and social media.
A club intended for undergraduate students who want to evolve and discover the self. A place where like-minded individuals can connect to holistic practices that encourage reflection of the self.
App recommendations by the Student Wellness center for anxiety, body image, happiness, procrastination, sleep and substance abuse.