The Cornell Quaranzine

Supporting Your Well-being - Fall 2020

09/30/2020

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Dear Community,


It's that time of year again - fall is here, the holiday season is looming ahead, and classes are perhaps starting to pick up a little! It may feel a little harder to keep track of time these days. On the one hand, time seems As the leaves change, take a moment to look back and reflect on the strength and victories that each and everyone of you have displayed up to this point. For this week’s Quaranzine, we highlight resources and events that can hopefully provide a space and opportunity for this healthy self-reflection.


Wishing you wellness,

The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health


* If you would like to continue receiving issues of the newsletter each week, follow this link!

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But First: A Self Check-in

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Why is self-reflection important? For one thing, it can motivate you by clearing the fog that makes your current circumstances seem extra gloomy. Have you ever felt helpless because of something external that happened which resulted in internal negative self-talk or feelings? Maybe you got an exam back and you didn’t do as well as you expected. Or maybe you fell behind and missed an important deadline. Perhaps you recently had an argument with someone you’re close to. When we can notice and gently reflect upon our negative self-talk and feelings we can challenge and reframe these.


  • We may have done poorly on this exam, but we aren’t a complete failure.


  • We may have missed a deadline, but it’s not the end of the semester yet.


  • We may have had an argument with someone we care about, but that doesn’t have to mean the end of the relationship.


You’re at Cornell for a reason. And even though life gets messy sometimes, if you allow yourself to look at and then beyond the mess, you can find the message and create new meaning. What’s important is that you give yourself the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and to grow.

Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it. – Rafiki, from The Lion King

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Self-Reflection Begins with Taking a Break, Relaxing Into It

Include mini-breaks in your daily schedule to take a deep breath, stretch, drink water and/or to reflect on how your day is going.


And, taking a longer break, ideally most days, is one way to build self-reflection into your routine and grow your understanding of yourself. Journaling, listening to music or the sounds of nature, making art, or doodling are just a few ways to move into a reflective state of mind for many. Then ask yourself a question or two such as: What's working for me? Where can I do more of that? What's not working? Where can I let that go? What's most important to me today? This week? This semester?


To simply listen is a very effective way to get some reflection started: Try a bit of the relaxing nature sounds below!

Relax 8 Hours-Relaxing Nature Sounds-Study-Sleep-Meditation-Water Sounds-Bird Song
Alternatively, listen to a live music performance by one of Cornell's very own...

Midday Music: Piano Performance by Xak Bjerken!

Wednesday, Sep. 30th, 12:30pm

This is an online event.

When COVID-19 came to Ithaca and in-person concerts were cancelled, renowned piano professor Xak Bjerken writes that he did not touch a piano for three months for the first time in his life! As he reflected on sources of inspiration during a time with no organized concert commitments, he picked out the pieces he will perform this Wednesday as his inspiration to perform again. Check out the program here!
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Let's Meditate With Cornell Wellness!

Take some time out of your morning this Thursday, October 1, at 9:00AM for a guided meditation session with Kerry Howell! One of the best ways to refresh our perspective and open up the mind for calm reflection is to start the day by focusing on the inner self, free of distractions. If interested, check out this link to register for these weekly sessions!


People of color have historically lacked representation in the meditation space. However, there are many of us who have a regular practice, teach and work to spread the word to our black, brown and other marginalized communities about the benefits of meditation. Check out these: Brooklyn Zen Center: https://brooklynzen.org/programs/people-of-color-group/ and the #1 meditation app for Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. https://liberatemeditation.com/

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Catch the Full Harvest Moon This Week

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Thursday, October 1, 2020: A full ‘Harvest Moon’

In the days before tractor lights, the lamp of the Harvest Moon helped farmers to gather their crops, despite the diminishing daylight hours. As the sun’s light faded in the west, the moon would soon rise in the east to illuminate (reflect light on) the fields throughout the night. The name "Harvest Moon" probably sprang to the lips of farmers throughout the Northern Hemisphere on autumn evenings, as it aided in bringing in the crops.


On Thursday October 1st, the “Harvest Moon” will rise at dusk in the east. It’s officially full at 5:05 p.m. EDT, but try to watch it at moonrise where you are for the full effect!

Highlights of the Botanic Garden: The Wonder of Native Pollinator Plants

Watch as Krissy Boys, native plant specialist, walks us through one of the little-known details of the Botanic Gardens! The plant community is especially curated and designed to present an attractive feast for some of the important pollinators of the area. A component of this effort is the "Botanic Buzzline" trail - a perfect backdrop for some reflective sitting or walking!

The Wonder of Native Pollinator Plants

BRIGHT SPOT

Check out this article from the Cornell Daily Sun! Let's continue to all work together and keep up the great work!

https://cornellsun.com/2020/09/29/agents-of-change-cornell-student-ambassadors-are-part-of-the-public-health-plan/
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Resources for Connecting

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Connecting for Emotional Support: FREE Skill-based Workshops through CAPS

Connecting for Emotional Support: FREE Skill-based Workshops through CAPS

Connecting for Emotional Support: FREE Skill-based Workshops through CAPS
CAPS staff members facilitate these virtual, psycho-educational, drop-in workshops are designed to help students develop skills to assist with coping. To participate in a workshop, please register using the link(s) below. You will then receive the Zoom meeting link by email.


CAPS Led Workshops:



Workshops do not provide mental health treatment. If you would like to speak with a counselor, call us (24/7) at 607-255-5155. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact 911 or an emergency mental health service in your local community.

health.cornell.edu/services/mental-health-care/group-counseling
Connecting for Academic Support: The Learning Strategies Center

Connecting for Academic Support: The Learning Strategies Center

Connecting for Academic Support: The Learning Strategies Center
The Learning Strategies Center (LSC) wants to help you manage your time better!


Managing your time well is key to success in college. Many college students find themselves with more unstructured time than they’ve been used to. Of course, unstructured time and free time are not the same thing, and learning how to create structure for yourself can require patience, practice, and persistence.


Students tell us that they find using a semester calendar and a weekly calendar can help them:

  • make (and keep) semester-long goals,
  • stop wasting time by finding hidden time and using a “work-day” approach; and
  • be more prepared and organized.


Cornell students can self-enroll in our Canvas module on Time Management.

Social Connecting: Check out these upcoming activities!

Social Connecting: Check out these upcoming activities!

Social Connecting: Check out these upcoming activities!

Cine con Cultura Latinx American Film Festival


Casual Chats with LSSO and LSP!

  • Sept 30 1:30PM-2:30PM

  • Come say hello and hang out with Juliette and Melissa Ruiz Hernandez '22 LSP/LSSO communication intern of the Latinx Student Success Office where we offer a relaxed space to chat (virtually) about current events, what LSP has to offer, what’s happening in the community and how to connect…or whatever is on your mind.

  • https://cornell.zoom.us/j/95493730037?pwd=RDhmMlhmYldON3YzYzR6NkdESmdYQT09


Apple Festive: Safe & Socially Distanced Options to Enjoy the Fall Apple Harvest Season

  • Happening now until Oct 4
  • Downtown Ithaca will welcome a couple farmers to sell their harvest bounty throughout the week in a socially distant, de-densified version of a farmers market and cider trail happening on the Commons and inside downtown shops and restaurants in the district.
  • https://www.downtownithaca.com/apple-festive/

Quick COVID-19 Updates

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Behavioral Compact Review

We're very fortunate to have a community that continues to adhere to public health guidelines that have enabled us to remain on campus. Let's be sure to keep key components of the Behavioral Compact in mind, and continue to ensure the health and safety of us all. This includes:

  • agreeing to adhere to the university’s prohibition against invited guests, including family members, to campus and/or my campus residence.
  • following all New York State and university guidelines and directives on travel (which may include travel prohibitions), as they are issued.
  • complying, if one must travel, with quarantine and testing requirements based on guidance from Tompkins County, and the public health agency of my travel destination.


We're all counting on each other!

Talk/Text Resources

If you find yourself struggling or in need of someone to talk to, know that you are not alone.

The following resources are here to support you:


Cornell Resources

  • Cornell Health phone consultation (24/7): 607-255-5155

  • EARS peer counselors phone consultation 3-11pm M-F; 7-11pm S/S: 607-255-3277

Ithaca Resources (24/7)

National Talk-Lines (24/7)

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

  • Trevor Project hotline (LGBTQ+): 866-488-7386

  • LGBT+ National Hotline: 888-843-4564

  • TransLifeline: 877-565-8860

National Text/Chat Services

  • National Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741

  • Steve Fund crisis text line: Text STEVE to 741741 (connects you to a counselor of color)

  • Trevor Project text line (LGBTQ+): Text START to 678678

National Suicide Prevention "Lifeline CHAT" service: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Quanzine Editors

Get in Touch

(607) 255-5155 health.cornell.edu