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It is natural to feel a variety of intense emotions during a time of crisis. The unprecedented nature of this pandemic introduces multiple uncertainties, losses, and dramatic changes to life on a personal, local, and global level. The  has a great page on what to expect and how to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The CWC has created this  of videos to help you learn how to cope and grow stronger during this challenging time. We have also compiled the following apps, articles, and websites to support you.

Mindfulness is simply the practice of becoming and remaining aware of one³ÉÈ˶¶Òôthoughts, feelings, and environment. Mindfulness helps give us greater control over our thoughts and reactions, and raises our threshold for stress and overwhelm. Mindfulness literally changes the function and structure of our brains as we redirect focus away from worry and toward peace.

We have compiled some information and exercises for you on our . You’ll find guides on activities such as mindful walking, mindful eating, breathing exercises, and seated meditation. We highly recommend this  and this .

In addition, we have compiled the following articles about using mindfulness to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

A guiding principle of our campus community is the Benedictine value of stewardship, which means celebrating and caring for nature. At this time, health officials say it is safe to spend time outdoors as long as you maintain 6 feet of distance between you and other people. Our beautiful wooded campus provides ample room for students, faculty, and staff to spend time in meditative, prayerful, or playful engagement with nature. 

Here is some information about the health benefits of spending time outside, and ideas for how to engage with your environment. You don’t have to go on a long hike to experience the effects of spending time in nature; , whether active or still, . Not up for leaving your room today? . 

We have compiled a list of  to inspire you. And because there is scientific evidence that , we have included some for a healthy distraction.

Like mindfulness, practicing gratitude helps inoculate us against feelings of stress and overwhelm, and helps us develop resiliency. Research on gratitude indicates that it can strengthen social bonds, improve sleep and cardiovascular health, and reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. We have compiled a , as well as a . In addition, here are some articles that we think will inspire you and warm your heart.

Music transcends languages and nationalities. Let yourself explore making music or listening to the music of others. Whether to calm, inspire, or connect, invite music and art into your life. Similarly, creating visual art or journaling can help you express and understand your feelings while relieving stress. Here are some tips on ways to use art to cope with difficult emotions:

• Journaling facilitates self-awareness and self-expression.  outlines not only the benefits of journaling, but tips on how to get started. 
• Reading and writing poetry can help you express and understand your feelings. If you are stuck on what to write,  not only explains how poetry therapy works, it offers prompts for writing your own poems.
• Collage is an inexpensive way to express yourself and explore imagery.  and  provide some instructions and ideas.
• Mandalas have been  for thousands of years. You can , or use  to draw your own. 

If you would like to see some of the ways others are using art and music to cope and connect, check out these two social media campaigns created by world-renowned musicians and performers.

• PBS.org: 
• NY Times: