Treating Your Mind & Body as Separate Mechanisms

By: Caroline Tierney

When we think of sports, meditation, staying active, and the like, we tend to think of our mind and body working in tandem. In sports, I can always recall coaches advising my teammates and I to actively think about the action we were about to take, “Think about where you are throwing the ball!”, in order to establish a better mind, body connection. While I absolutely believe the mind and body work together in many cases, I also find it important to recognize how our mind can work against our body.

For anyone that has ever taken a psychology class, we often learn about topics like fear in the unconscious. Fear is a mechanism that our unconscious mind uses to protect ourselves from getting hurt, or worse. What’s interesting though, is how we use our conscious mind and our surroundings to influence that unconscious fear. Think about it, your unconscious mind inherently can not perceive reality, that’s why we have our conscious mind. So when you are about to send a double backflip off a jump on skis, your unconscious mind, without perception of reality, screams at you not to. But the reason you feel like you want to at least try to land the double backflip, is because your conscious mind can perceive reality, and a part of you believes you can do it. Your unconscious mind is working against your body in this scenario, trying to protect you, yet in reality you know your body is capable.

The reason I bring up these differences is because we can use our conscious mind to control our unconscious fears, of any level, by separating how we treat our mind and body. For example, one of my favorite hobbies is surfing. The sport of surfing comes with a lot of dangers, especially being tossed under water for a long period of time with only one breath. I recently came back from a 5 day surf camp in the lovely Pacific waters of Costa Rica. Included in the camp was a series of workshops from meditation and stretching, to underwater weight lifting, and my personal favorite, apnea breathwork. Imagine the Costa Rica Men’s Surf National Champion saying that you are about to be held down at the bottom of a pool by weights, and required to hold your breath for 2 minutes straight. You can probably understand the shock on my face when he told me this was going to happen, I thought for sure I couldn’t hold my breath for any longer than a minute. Prior to this exercise, we spent a lot of time separating our mind from our body, and overcoming the physical feelings of fear by controlling our mind. As the two minutes were ticking, instead of focusing on the tight feelings in my chest and head under water, I focused on imagining a series of numbers in my head. It may sound strange, but it truly distracted me for most of the time. I thought about the selection of numbers I envisioned, the size of the font, color, how they were presented, like in a box or underlined, and what the numbers meant. Before I knew it, 2 minutes passed, and I came to the surface gasping for air indeed. 

While this experience may sound extreme, and candidly it was quite intense, there are some broader lessons to be learned. Again, fear is a mechanism our minds enforce to protect ourselves from the “bad” in our environment. But by breaking down the connection between your mind and body, you will start to realize that fear is entirely controllable, and you can quite literally accomplish anything you desire by treating your mind and body as two separate entities.

Reset and Recharge: Surviving the Post-Spring Break Slump

By: Rachael Doyle

Like many of you I spent my semester looking forward to spring break- turning my burnout into sunburn and doing absolutely nothing. What I didn’t realize is that all those adventures- including the immense traveling and that sunburn I previously mentioned- really took a toll on me, and I came back to find that I needed a vacation from my vacation. The days after break now left me feeling even worse than when I left, and since graduation is barely within reach I still have a long way to go before I can start packing it up for good. To prepare for the final stretch of the semester I came up with the perfect recipe to reset, refocus, and realign my space- remembering that how you feel is an emanate reflection on how you will do.

Physical Space:

Surprising to no one, the first thing I did to realign myself was a reset of my physical space- everything I use on a daily basis needed some extra care and attention. Bare minimum surface cleaning is all that I did to my dorm room all semester, so I took the time to deep clean and organize everything. When it came to my closet I packed up all the winter sweaters and jackets I didn’t need anymore, as well as anything I knew I would want to donate. If you’re looking to donate any gently used clothing WiB will be having a spring cleaning fundraiser this April, so be sure to put it all aside for that!

When it came to organizing my school supplies I started with my desk, making sure to sort through all my books and papers, wiping down everything, and getting some new organizers for my pens and pencils that I desperately needed (highly recommend Marshalls if you’re looking for some yourself!). I also did a deep clean of my backpack, once again organizing all my papers and pens so that I am ready to get back to class!

Digital Space:

Genuinely nothing is worse than logging into my email and seeing a full inbox. When it comes to sorting through my email I make sure to create tabs for my different classes, responding to anything I need to as I organize and put things into different folders. I know most people are inclined to just delete everything they see or leave it to clutter even further, but it is important to keep an eye on your inbox! You never know when an important email from a professor, classmate, or even a recruiter could come in- and the worst thing you could do is ignore it. If you’re struggling to keep up with spam and clutter, there are services you can use to help unsubscribe from certain senders and ensure that the important information is staying at the front of your inbox. 

As someone who takes a lot of creative classes where photo and video editing are crucial, the file space on my computer is always an uphill battle. Make sure to clean out any unused files on your computer, and store the ones that you may need for later. One of the best things I ever did was buy an external hard drive, and all my important large files and projects go in there for safe keeping. This is also a great idea for anyone who may have an older laptop- if you know you may be graduating or investing in a new device soon, now is the perfect time to back up your best files!

Lastly, make sure to clean out your phone. Delete unused apps, clear out any old messages or photos, and readjust your home screen if needed. One of my favorite new updates on my phone has been the creation of Widgets- they help you prioritize certain apps and information in a clean and organized way. I can personally vouch that it is the sole reason I remember to continue my Duolingo streak each day, and has been a great tool to remind me of updates on anything from homework assignments to the weather. During this time it is also important to take breaks from social media- I am sure many of you (like myself) spent hours scrolling and seeing what everyone else was up to over break, but now that we are in the final stretch of our time on campus make sure you stay present! Go for a walk in Downtown Amherst, read a book by the pond, or spend time with friends at Blue Wall and enjoy the beauty of spring on campus while we still can!

Mental Space

Hopefully some of the above items will help clear your mind and make you feel more relaxed, but there are also many ways to free up your mental space and make you truly feel ready for the rest of the semester. The first thing I have been (trying) to do is get enough sleep- for those of us that didn’t catch up on sleep over break now is the perfect time to start a more restful routine! One thing I have loved doing since break is reading- and reading before bed is a great way to avoid screens and get ready for a peaceful sleep. 

One thing I also love doing to reset is going to the gym, it may sound crazy but I swear it is the perfect way to clear your head and make your body feel good! The rec can get pretty hectic during busy hours, so if you’re looking for something more relaxed try going for a walk outside, sign up for an off-campus fitness class (my friends have tried everything from rock climbing to jiu jitsu and loved it) or even do some yoga in your own dorm room! As the weather gets nicer I always feel the need to get out and do something- so even if you just want to stroll around make sure you listen to your body and get out there!

Lastly, spend time with friends and loved ones! I am usually a pretty big home body, but now is the time to get out there! Even if it’s just a coffee date or a catch up call, my friends and family are the ones I lean on most to help center me and get me on the right track.

The final push of the semester can definitely be a struggle for a lot of people, but know you aren’t alone! It is never too late to join a club, start a new hobby or make a new friend. Take care of yourself and remember that there is still so much time to do everything you need while also taking care of yourself and the spaces you have that allow you to succeed.

Rebranding the Word Selfish

By: Jane Tecu

Starting at a young age, we are taught that selfish is a negative word. Being selfish is considered taboo and something that we should strive to avoid. Google defines selfishness as “lacking consideration of others; concerned with one's own personal profit or pleasure.”

All my life, I have viewed being selfish as an immoral characteristic and would be insulted if someone ever referred to me as such. However, these last few months have allowed me to give the concept of selfishness deeper thought. Like many others, I find myself in situations that require me to think about myself and what is healthy and what is not. With so many negative connotations associated with the word selfish, perhaps it keeps us from prioritizing ourselves, especially in difficult situations. Is it always wrong to put our own needs first?

Rebranding involves changing the image of something. I think the time has come to rebrand the word selfish. Doing what serves our well-being, even when it disappoints others or goes against societal expectations, is ultimately a way to care for ourselves. We don’t need to explain it or justify it. We all have the right to make choices that allow us to be healthy in ourselves and in our relationships.

It can be good to remind yourself that:

●      It’s okay to want or need alone time.

●      It’s okay to say no.

●      It’s okay to need help. 

●      It’s okay to set boundaries.

I would even go so far as to say these things are not only okay but necessary to be a balanced and functioning adult. These things are needed if we want to thrive.

What if we took the stigma out of being selfish so that it wasn’t seen as a negative but instead as a normal and healthy way of considering our own needs? To me, being selfish means putting myself first rather than last. By setting healthy and necessary boundaries, I can better focus on my own needs and, from there, better able to figure out what I really have to offer those I care for and love. That ultimately builds stronger relationships—with both myself and those around me. So, here’s to being selfish by truly supporting ourselves!

To Be Little Women

By: Ryo Nozawa

The Little Women story has influenced and followed me in every step of my life. From reading it in Japanese as a child to seeing it on the big screen years later, it never ceases to leave me wide eyed and warm. A story written by Louisa May Alcott-showcasing the lives of each member of the March family-its lines, speeches, and emotional prowess continue to imbue me with vigor, hope, and grace for the world around me. At her core, Jo is a dynamic and impassioned young woman, representing the possibility for more than the confining standards of the nineteenth century. She is “boyish”, hot-tempered, and impulsive but she is curious. Jo is consistently lured and seduced by the world around her, as she navigates her path and purpose in life. She acts as a beacon of hope and early-feminism for those who wanted more than what was expected of them. To evidently juxtapose her, Meg stands as a wife, a mother, and a girl who hopes for the simplicity of a nuclear family. She is a parallel of her mother, compassionate and temperamental. By taking these two contrasting characters, I hope to solicit understanding and empathy for both of their paths. 

Growing up is a daunting experience for all, as it works to reconcile our fluid passions with reality and its seemingly cemented molds. For Jo, she finds solace in writing and taking a more unconventional approach to life. At that time, a woman was expected to fall in love, marry, and bear children. However, she-and many other women-found that expectation to be unfulfilling. We all know her story. We understand what it means to be a woman and to want more. Post-war modernity allowed for a long-awaited transformation for women, especially in western countries, but just how much has changed? The deep cracks in our everyday lives and our minds-well-solidified by the patriarchy and thousands of years of indoctrination-still stand to remind us of our society’s flaws. Yet, emerging from all of this, Jo’s raw vulnerability has always inspired me to be ambitious and chase for independent success but also allow myself grace for the simpler things in life. For her, it was wanting to be loved. Perhaps, her story teaches us that making a name for yourself is important especially as a woman, but independently, it may not always be fulfilling. Finding a balance could be the key to true happiness.

I believe that it would be a disservice to the discourse if I did not mention the more neglected March sister, Meg. She is compassionate and good, she is feminine and dutiful. I believe that she is largely forgotten because of what she wants. Her dreams are dimmed by Jo’s commanding aspirations but Meg confronts this notion and reminds Jo that “just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant”. This quote struck me to be significant and ultimately inspired me to write this. Despite approaching life in a more traditional fashion than Jo, it does not suggest that her dreams of being a mother and having a family should be relegated to her being a docile wife. It does not take away from her as a person and more importantly, as a woman. I think that as discussions of making oneself into something and creating a world for women to become successful, it can be easy to grimace at those who give up their jobs or economic opportunities to fulfill other aspects of their lives. However, we all want different things and I think that for me, Meg is a character that represents a girl hoping for a family like the one she grew up in and dreaming of another kind of fulfillment than Jo-and that is okay. Jo is enlivened by books and Meg by unconditional love. 

I suppose the point of this commentary is to say that it is okay to want different things, even at different times of our lives. You do not have to just be a ‘Meg’ or a ‘Jo’, you can be both! We are never confined to just one path and they are never set in stone. Being a woman during this time is to understand and offer grace to those that do not “fit” all the values you possess. Never be quick to judge another person and never assume that your aspirations are more important. If we establish more confining molds for ourselves beyond the ones already placed, we soon will lose space to grow. The Little Women story continues to offer hope for all individuals navigating a world of endless possibilities and like Meg reminds us, just because your dreams may be different from the person beside you, it does not mean they are any less important.

Branching Out and Building Connections: A Brief Recap of the 2024 Women of Isenberg Conference

By: Jane Tecu

On Saturday, February 10, I had the privilege of attending the 11th annual Women of Isenberg Conference, a full-day opportunity for students to hear directly from professionals, share their experiences, and expand their networks. For those who could not attend the conference, my recap hopefully will give you some insight and motivate you to attend next year.

The conference started with an inspiring keynote address from Shachar Scott, Vice President for Marketing at Meta’s Reality Labs, who shared her empowering journey to reach her current position. I felt extremely lucky to hear how Scott overcame hurdles to achieve her aspirations. Her story and career path seemed to resonate with many of the conference’s attendees.

Next, there was the opportunity to attend a variety of break-out sessions featuring Isenberg graduates and faculty. The workshops emphasized career-building strategies and offered motivational tips to help women navigate the work world. I went to Tech Trailblazers: Woman Shaping the Digital Transformation, with panelists Ashley Scala, a private wealth advisor at Goldman Sachs; Alaina Adams, a senior product manager in sustainability at Google; and Brittany Keller, a strategy manager at PayPal. I came away with a deeper understanding of the importance of clear communication and motivation to continue to learn. Other sessions throughout the day covered topics such as workplace politics, women in entrepreneurship, personal brand strategy, cultural inclusion, building connections, and more.

 At lunch, the conference organizers seated undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and alumni together, offering the opportunity to strike up conversations and network with your tablemates.

As informative as the conference was, events like this can be difficult for someone who considers themselves an introvert or has social anxiety. Being assigned to a table with strangers and surrounded by successful leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs can feel like a lot of pressure. Many of these individuals felt unapproachable and that felt overwhelming in the beginning. At the same time, it’s important to remind yourself that you have every right to approach them and make connections—that’s part of what a conference is for. Once I reminded myself of this, I was able to feel more comfortable and confident with the people at my table and ended up having some meaningful conversations and making some connections.

For me and anyone else who might need to hear it: When building your future, it’s essential to branch out beyond your comfort zone if you want to grow. The Women of Isenberg Conference is a great opportunity to practice doing that.