Looking for help in managing the pace and stress of your day?

Dartmouth students, faculty, and staff are now eligible forfree enrollment in Headspace, a mindfulness and meditation app that provides access to thousands of hours of science-based content designed to help individuals manage stress, improve sleep, exercise mindfully, and remain focused.

A Sept. 8 email fromCaitlin Barthelmes, director of the Student Wellness Center, andCourtney Rotchford, program manager for Wellness at Dartmouth, invited members of the community to sign up for the program, which includes guided programs on such topics as breathing exercises to reduce stress and meditation for parents.

In the first week, more than 850 people at Dartmouth registered.

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I am excited by a renewed energy and understanding of the benefits of mindfulness as a pathway to support the well-being of our community.

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Caitlin Barthelmes, director of the Student Wellness Center

Im thrilled we are offering the Headspace app as an additional tool to support the mental well-being of the Dartmouth community, says Rotchford. It provides a platform not only for those interested in exploring mindfulness and meditation for the first time but also as a way to strengthen personal practices for those who have already found meditation to be useful in supporting their well-being.

Barthelmes agrees. Meditation and mindfulness practices have been a part of the Dartmouth community for many years, and I am excited by a renewed energy and understanding of the benefits of mindfulness as a pathway to support the well-being of our community, she says. Headspace is a complementary addition to the menu of mental and emotional well-being offerings that provide support along the continuum of care at Dartmouth.

A Getting Started With Headspace webinar is also planned for Tuesday.

In addition to Headspace, theStudent Wellness Centerposts a wide range of in-person mindfulness opportunities on itscalendar, including yoga classes, drop-in meditation sessions, and regular mindfulness and practice groups, most of which are also open to employees.The Tucker Centeroffers additional programs, including a weekly mindfulness group for faculty and staff.

The idea for the adoption of a campus-wide mindfulness app came from feedback from the community, including a faculty and staff Wellness at Dartmouth survey, student government initiatives, andthe Jed Foundation initiative, which is working to improve mental health on campus. Headspace was selected after a review of several available apps and a small comparison study that gathered feedback from undergraduates, graduate and professional school students, staff, and faculty.

The majority of participants endorsed Headspace as a selection for Dartmouth primarily due to its name recognition, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive offerings that were inclusive of, but not limited to, mindfulness meditations, Barthelmes says.

To enroll in Headspace, which is open to all enrolled students and employees who receive their paycheck from Dartmouth, visit theHeadspace websiteand follow the instructions below:

For more information on enrollment and how to get the most from Headspace membership, community members are invited tojoin the webinaron Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 12:30 p.m. Additional details are available in anFAQ(PDF).

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Mindfulness App Now Available to the Dartmouth Community - Dartmouth News