The Wellness Proposal

Hey there! My name's Neha Bhattacharya. I am a grad student at UBC, and this post is a rant against toxic positivity in the popular culture and university spaces.  I have been in university spaces for 6+ years now, both in India and in Canada, and amidst so many differences between the two— there is one thing that is strikingly consistent in both. Both the spaces, otherwise starkly different from each other, are similar in the way they stress on toxic positivity among its youth. This tells us a lot about the lopsidedness of global popular culture that increasingly stresses on being hyper-active and consistently happy in order to be accepted as a functional youth in the society.  This blog post is an appeal or an imploration (for want of a politer word) to all who think to be hyper-active and always happy is the only acceptable state to be in. Glorification of  hyper-activity in the popular domain is highly problematic, for it encourages people to only let on what is publicly valida

Hello there!  It’s nice to meet you! My name is leea and I’m a Psychology student at UBC. Given that this is my first time making a post, I would like to do a little self-introduction. I’ll take a page out of my professors’ generic get-to-know-you ice breakers and share what my hobbies are first. During my spare time, I really enjoy reading books, particularly poetry nowadays, and falling down the rabbit hole of binging Korean dramas. Before COVID-19 hit the world, I also loved exploring the different coffee shops in Vancouver. Whether it be for the aesthetic of these shops or their actual coffee, I’ve come to appreciate these little excursions as breaks from the busyness of life sometimes.  This fall, I’ll be entering into my fourth year of my undergraduate degree. It certainly isn’t what I imagined my final year to look like, but I’m nonetheless excited for what’s to come. However, I would be lying if I say I’m also not anxious of what my future will look like once I graduate. “What

I used to want to be a people pleaser. I said “yes” to so many things and later, regretted it. I put other people’s needs before my own because I didn’t value myself and my own needs. We all have to do things we don't want to do and that is just part of life. However, so many people unnecessarily agree to do things they don’t even have to do. Sometimes, these things can get pretty big and soon, almost irreversible. For example, saying yes to taking on a large assignment all by yourself or accepting a position or job you weren’t even sure about. I understand we want others to like us and accept us; it’s human nature. I know it's very hard to think about letting someone you care about down or falling short of someone’s expectation of you. It is true, saying "no" can even be heartbreaking to someone else. With that said, so is saying "yes", when you don’t mean it. I find that in general, people often foster resentment and regret when they don't honor thems

A small victory can be any small task that contributes to a productive day, applies to a long-term goal, or anything that makes you feel successful. For example, working or studying for one hour, attending all of your zoom meetings, and responding to emails. However, it does not have to be limited to school and work, it can also be daily tasks, such as grocery shopping or washing the dishes. No matter how difficult the task is, recognizing your accomplishments contributes to well-being.  Celebrating them is important too because it gives you the opportunity to re-energize.  This also has a physiological benefit. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, is induced when you recognize something positive, and in return, enhances your motivation. So by recognizing more, you will feel more motivated and less stressed, thus making you feel better and more productive.  Ways to celebrate can include: Going for a walk Taking a small nap Rewarding yourself with a cup of coffee from your local shop Talking

Most people experience stress and anxiety from time to time. I experience it quite a bit and I know a lot of others can say the same. Stress is any demand placed on your brain or physical body. The feeling of being stressed can be triggered by an event that makes you feel frustrated or nervous. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. It can be a reaction to stress, or it can occur in people who are unable to identify significant stressors in their life. Our moods are constantly going up and down. If we know and accept that every situation changes, we can then think: “So now I am unhappy. It is nothing special. It will not last forever.” Whether I feel happy or unhappy, I know it is because of causes and conditions. A great Buddhist master from India, Shantideva, gave us a very useful piece of advice: If there is a situation that you can change, why worry? Just change it. And if there is a situation that you cannot change, why worry? Worrying will not help. I only learned this r

                                                  The start of your day will determine how your entire day will go. So, it is important to build good habits and incorporate a routine in the morning so you can set yourself off for a successful and productive day. Before developing a morning routine, it is important you get the recommended seven to nine hours a day, so you feel recharged and can start your day. Here are a few suggestions you can incorporate into your morning to ensure you have an amazing day: Jump out of your bed and then make your bed. Once you are awake after a good night’s rest, make sure to jump right out of bed. Do this as fast as possible so that you are not tempted to snooze more in your bed. Once you are up and awake, make your bed first thing in the morning. If you make your bed first thing in the morning, you would have accomplished your first task and that will encourage you to do another task and another task. Even if you decide to have a lazy day and watch N