From: Green Bandana Brigade Date: February 17, 2025 Subject: Green Bandana Brigade Newsletter
Hi Green Bandana Brigade (GBB)!
We hope your spring semester is off to a good start! It was so wonderful to see many of you at our Healthy Hounds Day on February 5!
In our last newsletter, we discussed ways in which you may create and maintain boundaries, create connections, and practice self-care and self-compassion during times when we may feel overloaded with work, personal responsibilities, relationships, media, news, and creating a balance with it all.
We hope you found these recommendations helpful and encourage you to look back at them as you take one step forward each day.
Tips for Creating a Self-Care Plan for You!
Review your past and present self-care history. To what extent, if any, are you already practicing self-care?
What areas of self-care do you want to begin to focus on? (physical, emotional relational, spiritual/religious, professional)?
Don’t aim for perfection! It’s impossible to attend to all areas of self-care perfectly.
Personalize your self-care plan
Be creative: consider self-care strategies unique to your needs and interests – find what is relaxing, rejuvenating, and enjoyable to you!
Be open to changes: continually review your plan and be open to amending it and trying new strategies as needed
Put the plan into action
Start small: begin putting your plan into action with small, more manageable self-care practices or changes in your life (e.g., a weekly walk with your partner, eating a healthy breakfast every morning, ending each day with a five-minute mindfulness exercise)
Don’t give up!
Remember that setbacks are common when beginning a self-care regimen. Do not be tempted to throw away your hard work and dedication after an occasional misstep. You got this!
Carter, L. A., & Barnett, J. E. (2014). Self-care for clinicians in training: A guide to psychological wellness for graduate students in psychology. Oxford University Press.(Available online through the Loyola/Notre Dame Library).
Thriving Spaces: Environment for Learning, Living, and Working Survey!
Finally, consider taking the campus climate survey Thriving Spaces: Environment for Learning, Living, and Working Survey! The findings from this survey will integrate with past assessments to create a comprehensive understanding of our campus climate. These insights will directly inform action plans and strategic initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving environment for all.
Your participation is essential in helping Loyola understand how institutional policies, procedures, and culture influence respect, inclusivity, and overall well-being at Loyola. The survey will be open from Tuesday, February 4 – Friday, March 7, 2025.
Self-Care Era: Student Reflections on News and Politics
I am a first year, and reading the news and politics the past couple of weeks has felt like being underwater. The news has consumed my whole time with being aware of what is going on around the world. While being aware is good, it has made me feel overstimulated about the current culture we live in. I want to let other students know you are not alone. What I do to make sure I am taking a break is to make sure to call your family, share what you are feeling, and reflect on your emotions. I understand that for some, these past couple of weeks have been hard. You are not alone and more importantly, you have support, and you belong.
Mental Health Taskforce Student Ambassador, Sarah Flores.
Have a question or concern?
Feel free to reach out to greenbandanabrigade@loyola.edu or visit the Mental Health Task Forcewebsite to learn more about wellness initiatives on campus and other members of the team.
