Free Minds

                                                                                                                            By: Ashli Preddie-Smith I like to move it, move it. I like to MOVE IT! Or not? But you should. The human body is a complex machine that was made to move. You may not always feel like it but your body needs to move. Exercise helps the body to release tryptophan which is an amino acid that helps improve your mood by aiding the release of the happy hormone serotonin. Listen Linda, You may not feel like getting out of bed or your room. Having anxiety or just generally being in a down mood can leave you feeling worried, fatigued, and restless and can also have you avoiding social situations. You may not want to go run or climb a tree or lift weights and all that jazz but there are options. Yoga is one way to include physical activity into your day to help improve your mental health. Kalisse Kelly, 200 YTT Yoga Angels Teacher shared her story of how yog

                                                                                                      By: Petrina Daley   Someone once said that it’s a cold world when you’re out there alone, I can imagine trying to face mental health issues on your own. You’re not in this by yourself, you don’t have to go through this trying time alone. Everyone seems to be busy trying to earn a suitable living because many a mickle makes a muckle but there is someone willing to listen to you, honey. There are numerous amounts of help out there for you. Here are a few ways to receive help if you are battling with mental health challenges and as we know giving is better than receiving according to Acts 20:35, so here are some ways to render assistance to someone also. Don’t allow someone you know or yourself to suffer in silence. If everyone takes a stand to fight mental health challenges and each one tries to help one, then maybe it will cause a chain reaction. Here

                                                         By: Ashli Preddie Smith                                                                                                                                                                     They say the food is the staff of life, but what does food really have to do with our minds? They say we are what we eat, but do our minds even count? Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Think about it. Our body needs nutrients, vitamins and minerals to function and some of the hormones that control our mood relies on them too. Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Endorphin are some of the ‘happy’ hormones. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers, Dopamine is your feel-good hormone and Serotonin is the body’s sleep, mood, appetite, and digestion regulator.   According to Harvard Health Publishing "There is consistent evidence for a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern and lower risk of depression” You may be t

By: Jason Grant  Peace does not come easily or by chance but when it does it allows you to find balance in your life. The minute you apply for a college that’s where it all begins, you become anxious about your new path for the next four years and where it will take you. In fact, you may have high expectations before you even get there. Until you are finally there, three assignments behind and two sectional to do in one day. What do you do then? You master your emotions, you develop strategies that will help you to be more responsible in getting things at the right time.  As humans we find peace when things work in harmony, a smooth flow is always the desire of our hearts. The reality is, that it is not always possible for you to have everything in place. There will always be ups and downs, but the way you react to the situation will tell how great of an impact it will have on you. Finding perfect balance in the semester will bring you absolute peace in your colleg

Coping with COVID-19                                                                     By: Petrina Daley  Coronavirus slowly took over the world and sorry to say until this day it has never left and university students are left with questions such as, “ Will I finish my degree?”. This can be mentally challenging. People are scared even to cough, sneeze or breathe. Every establishment is closing. This virus forces people to stay away from groups, and you’re being forced to stay home, and school is officially closed. Here are some ways to maintain stable mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Keep motivated- Tell yourselves that this is just a bump in your road to success, but you have to achieve your goals. Remember all that you want to accomplish, set your goals and work hard towards them. Follow up with the NEWS- Keep up to date with the NEWS. Sanitize, Sanitize, sanitize!- Remember to keep yourselves and your environment saniti

                                                           By: Santeio Brooks                                                                                             Tell me, how are you feeling? Lately, I've been thinking, things aren't going so well for me. I feel down, constantly anxious, and unable to enjoy myself when I go out with my friends. I get so irritable… Hold up, wait a minute…. Could I be suffering from mental illness? The signs and symptoms of mental disorders and illnesses are sometimes very noticeable but, because of the stigma associated with mental health, they are often passed off as something else or even ignored. However, with more people being affected by mental illness each year, it is really time to stamp out the stigma and talk about mental health. Check before you wreck yourselves and others around you. Are you constantly negative? Even suicidal? Dragged and battered by thoughts fluttering your mind? Sometimes symptoms may eve

Free Your Minds, It's Friday  By: Petrina Daley  Hey there, you were just on my mind. You’re special and I just want to say happy Friday! I missed you too. Yes you, I am talking to you. I want you to know that you’re a gem. Taking a break from those tiring assignments? I know that the University can be a challenge. Speaking of challenges, you have to try your best to keep good mental health. Mental health is important. I know, “where am I going with this conversation ?”, you may ask but I will spare you the lecture today only because it's Friday. Come and sit with me for a few minutes, your favorite advisor has something to say, not tooting my own horn.   Mental health includes your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is important at every stage of life so don’t take it for granted. As you grow older you will experience new problems and these situations can affect your mental health. I know that you have started University and you are older n

By: Santeio Brooks  Many of today’s university students feel overwhelming pressure from their academics. Here are four ways that can help to ease the mind’. ME Time - Have you ever had some me-time? Taking an hour or two for yourself can help you replenish, connect with yourself. Perhaps you’ll discover things about yourself that you never knew. Exercise - Whether it is a sport or a simple jog, sports and exercise have always been therapy for preventing stress and other mental issues as well as physical health. Try it! You’ll see. Eat well, think well - Monitoring our food intake is important. So include those fruits and vegetables in your diet. Socialize - Just as to how personal time is important. Socializing with friends and family is also important. It helps us connect and feel closer to the people we love, becoming a source of strength. We sometimes get tangled with the thorns of life. but with these tips, I encourage you to go out and Fre

By: Ashli Preddie-smith Laughter is the best medicine they always say but I want to give you something to think about. First of all, I want you to think back to maybe primary and high school. Do you remember looking at persons who worked there and painting a picture of what you think their life at home is like? Maybe you pulled pranks at the ones who seemed less fortunate all in the name of a good laugh? This mindset has followed us into university. It is the same way we deal with people who struggle with mental illnesses or even just persons who are conscious of the importance of good mental health. The word mad has been used loosely lately and is quite insensitive. I spoke to a 22-year-old female, who currently attends university about mental health in Jamaica and the conversation was very heart-breaking. Betty* said, “For years I have struggled with depression and anxiety. At first, I would try to convince myself that I’m just stressed and would shove it aside becau

By: Jason Grant As a University student, stress is an experience that most students become exposed to and the harsh reality is that they may not know how to cope with it. Tertiary institutions have an age limit in order for prospective students to be considered eligible to study with them. You may have not thought of this before, but let us give you the reason behind this. It's all about maturity. A student tends to show a greater level of maturity when they have reached 18 years old. Maturity will give you the drive to keep pushing to find the perfect balance. The perfect balance in a semester relies on a few life skills, which if you haven't developed as yet freshman year is the perfect time for this.  Balance can be found in the semester through: Any college student can tell you that you will experience stress, burn-out, and distraction when studying. The thing is knowing how to handle the stress and finding the perfect balance to complete the semester.