By Camila Grigera Naon Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — American colleges are seeing an upward trend in mindfulness meditation workshops for the campus community. This recent increase is a reflection of a busier world for young Americans.
The practice of mindfulness meditation by American adults increased from 4.1 percent in 2012, to 14.2 percent in 2017, according to a study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. As a direct result, colleges across the United States have begun to offer more meditation classes as a means of reducing stress levels for students.
At Syracuse University, free meditation sessions are offered five times a week in the school’s chapel. For many students, this practice allows for them to relax and focus on nothing but their breathing. Sophomore Olivia Peck says that during the week, it seems almost impossible to set aside time for herself.
Annabelle Roberts McMichael, an SU meditation instructor, says people’s tendency of keeping up with a busy lifestyle is a direct result of deep-seated American values.
“I think in mainstream U.S. culture, time spent not doing anything, and not speaking, and not accomplishing physical things isn’t valued, but it’s something that human beings really need,” she said.
For Peck, she really began to notice these American tendencies after traveling abroad and studying other cultures.
“In France, when you are eating lunch, you are eating lunch, and that’s all you’re doing,” she said. “Yet when I’m eating lunch, I’m not just eating lunch. I’m on my laptop, I’m doing homework, and my brain is in a million directions.”
For Roberts McMichael, meditation is useful for Americans because it helps them take a step back, and focus on their spirit, rather than their schedule.
“You just spend time processing life in a state of awareness, she said. “All you do is sit quietly and just pay attention to your breathing, and learn to focus on your mind and be in the present through just observing your breath.”
Peck thinks Americans still need to prioritize their health more and set time aside for themselves.
“Americans in this busy lifestyle culture really do need to breathe. I just think it’s the simple things in life that you need to start taking care of, but people neglect those,” she said.
If you are interested in exploring mindful meditation opportunities at Syracuse University, visit their website to learn more.
