Balancing four classes, witnessing racial tensions and fearing the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis Amponsah found himself overwhelmed by the chaotic climate of the world. After discovering it through TikTok, Amponsah’s sister introduced him to meditation as a form of stress relief.
Amponsah, a UNC junior, is not alone in looking to technology for this kind of service.
Self-care is becoming increasingly important for college students to maintain their well-being while juggling classes and extracurriculars. With so many students owning smartphones, resources to guide them through self-care exercises are right at their fingertips.
Amponsah said he first began meditation through YouTube videos. He later experimented with the app Headspace, but found himself drawn to the more personal experiences without guiding.
Amponsah now uses the app Insight Timer when he meditates due to its music feature, which allows for guided meditations or music to be played in accordance with a timer.
An intern for UNC Healthy Heels and a full-time student, Amponsah said regularly practicing meditation has helped him throughout the pandemic.
“I felt like a day where I practiced meditation was much more productive than a day than I didn't,” Amponsah said. “It relieves stress for me.”
Caress Roach, the health promotion and well-being programs coordinator at Student Wellness, said it’s essential for students to utilize University resources for mental health and self-care, including Student Wellness and Counseling and Psychological Services.
Roach said it’s important for students to understand that stress is natural. She said reframing and understanding one’s stress can alleviate unrealistic expectations.
