Dear friends, colleagues, students, staff, Chapman community, I hope this finds you well and safe. We are thinking of everyone in your many settings and unique ways of being engaged in teaching, learning, working, and going about your daily lives. We are mindful of those in the regions who are suffering fires and deadly smoke;
Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind As a college student myself once, I know all too well how stressful, overwhelming, and anxiety-producing attending university can be—especially during these challenging times. Even as adults, we still require tools and strategies for managing stress and coping with uncertainty. If you can relate to any or more of the following right
Life is immensely uncertain right now. Last March, I wrote a piece about how time and space were taking on a new character as we transitioned to online learning. We did so with heroic efforts. And now we face another major transition, preparing for an unprecedented start to this academic year with teaching, learning, and
HEALING OUR NATION’S SOUL “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” Rumi If You’re Hurting, You’re Not Alone As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July and commemorate our nation’s independence, like many of us right now, my heart feels heavy. My soul hurts. While navigating through the array of conflicting emotions over the
How We Cope with Hope “Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind” Series Chapman University’s Director of Contemplative Practices and Well-being Advances Strategies for Coping During Crisis and Uncertainty. “Crisis-Coping” Fatigue Learning to cope in the midst of crisis and uncertainty can understandably take its toll on your brain, body, and being. These feelings can become all the more
“Just breathe.” That used to be solid advice for so many things. It works to alleviate anxiety or pre-performance jitters. Breath training is key for a woman near to giving birth, or a person living with chronic pain. Singers and actors know the power of deep breathing for performances. Yet suddenly, taking a breath can
Let me begin with appreciation and thanks to our Chapman faculty and staff. Although I can’t see you face to face, I see your work more clearly than ever online and in my zoom calls with you. I love hearing about your incredibly creative online teaching methods and ambitious timely research, much of which is
BE ADAPTIVE, NOT REACTIVE TO CHANGE “Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind” Series Chapman University’s Director of Contemplative Practices and Well-being Advances Strategies for Coping During Crisis and Uncertainty. Navigating change is never easy. Whether it’s a health scare, personal loss, or financial hardship, it’s natural to experience anxiety, grief, and a lack of feeling in control.