Donya Rouzbehi
Sports Editor
The University’s Institute of Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being hosted a self-care workshop on Feb. 26 at the Randall Lewis Center for about 12.
Sarina Sauceda, project coordinator, talked about self-care myths, tips and tricks.
Sauceda discussed engaging in activities that care for your mind, body and soul. One of her talking points included self-reliance and self-control.
She also considered different dimensions of wellness. She stressed the importance of each dimension, beginning with emotional wellness. Her examples included self-kindness, expressing your emotions, listening to others and learning from mistakes.
Sauceda and her team work on different wellness projects that focus on mental health, specifically for college students, faculty and staff.
“We provide off-campus resources,” Sauceda said. “We want to really help and bring wellness to the community and focus on what that will be.”
Sauceda believes that students everywhere need wellness and self-care workshops like these. She thinks students can benefit from guidance for self-care and mental health, especially while balancing school and personal life.
Other points included eating food that makes you feel good, physical movement and sleeping habits. She encouraged students to find ways to expand their knowledge, skills and to recognize creativity.
Allison Krich, interim executive director of the Randall Lewis Center, is inspired by the importance of self-care and its significance for college students.
“I’m very student-focused in my work on campus,” Krich said. “I notice areas where students need help or areas that might need to be addressed.”
When diving into career development, she persuaded students to find purpose and success in their college careers and beyond. Sauceda also dove into financial budgeting, saving and spending.
Her advice was to set budget goals, avoid impulsive purchases and review bank accounts.
Sauceda suggested more ways to practice self-care, such as engaging in mindfulness, meditation or religious practices. She told guests to start small and do what works best for them when it comes to self-care, since there is no correct way to do it.
Students were prompted to attend her workshop for more guidance on mental health, self-care and where to start. Lindsey Mendoza-Alvarez, a junior legal studies major, is striving to become the best version of herself.
“I’m really trying to find what works best for me in regards to just taking care of myself and not isolating myself from the campus,” Mendoza-Alvarez said. “I thought this was a good opportunity for me.”
Sauceda emphasized that while self-care is crucial to add to peoples’ routine, sometimes additional and professional support is necessary.
Another myth she mentioned was that self-care is limited to those with time or resources. She proposed that self-care can be free and simple for everyone’s daily routines, as long as it’s simple and sustainable.
Kevin Conde, a junior computer-science major, attended this workshop to learn more about what other people do for their self-care.
“I’m curious because I know for me it’s a lot more financial and physical,” Conde said. “I just wanted to see what other people focused on and different opinions on it.”
Donya Rouzbehi can be reached at donya.rouzbehi@laverne.edu.
Donya Rouzbehi is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism, and staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previously served as sports editor and a staff writer for the Campus Times, and is co-editor-in-chief of La Verne Magazine. Her other writing can be found at trillmag.com/author/donya-rouzbehi
Jasmine Lyn is a sophomore photography major and photography editor for the Campus Times. She is also a staff photographer for La Verne Magazine and a former staff photographer for the Campus Times. Her work can also be found at Jazzylyn.com
