Toward a Mindful Campus
You have questions about mindfulness and meditation. MindfulWake has the answers.
MindfulWake Defined
MindfulWake offers evidence-based, trauma-informed, and innovative programs and classes to educate, inspire and support healthy living. Mindfulness has its origins in Buddhist practices that are over 2,500 years old. Although it has religious roots, mindfulness practices are not inherently religious, and it will not conflict with your faith or beliefs (or lack thereof). These ancient teaching and the many recent rigorous research studies agree: mindfulness can improve your quality of life.
Choosing a MindfulWake program
Explore the many types of mindfulness offerings at your disposal.
Mindfulness classes
Mindfulness practice communities
Mindfulness activities to do right now
Who can practice mindfulness?
Mindfulness can be of benefit to any member of the Wake Forest community, but the following people may find it particularly useful:
- If you have a history of depression.
- If you suffer from anxiety.
- If you find yourself in relational distress.
- If you have suffered a significant loss.
- If you are a care provider.
- If you would like something to be different in your life, but you’re not sure what.
- If you suffer from a chronic illness or medical condition.
- If you are stressed or overwhelmed by your life circumstances.
- If you are going through a period of significant change in your life.
Better, not perfect
Mindfulness isn’t the secret sauce to all of life’s challenges. People who practice mindfulness still experience stress, and may actually feel emotions and sensations more acutely, but they are less likely to be overwhelmed by them and they are more likely to respond with greater wisdom. Mindfulness practices entail repetition. Practice takes time and patience. Mindfulness is not a quick fix.
The science of mindfulness
Research continues to show that mindfulness offers significant benefits to our physical and emotional health by creating a positive cycle of improvements, leading to:
- feeling more relaxed and at ease
- better sleep
- better concentration
- higher emotional resilience
- heightened awareness
- equanimity
Trauma-informed mindfulness
Mindfulness work typically involves working with something known as an object, or anchor, of attention- a neutral reference point that helps support mental stability. But anchors can also intensify trauma. MindfulWake participants will not be asked to override signals from their bodies but will be encouraged to listen to them. Participants always have choice and autonomy over their own experience. Participants are also welcome to explore whatever supports self-regulation and stability.