Project Heartbalm helps students meditate during midterms

By Grace Bonamico

Five Towns College students found peace during midterm week with Project Heartbalm, a guided meditation and art therapy session designed to help them de-stress and recharge. Co-hosted by the Counseling Center and Student Access Office, the event offered a quiet space for deep breathing, relaxation, and a much-needed break from the pressures of exams.

Along with a guided meditation, Project Heartbalm had students identify ways to be kind to themselves with ‘I Can’ statements while creating spiral drawings using the affirmations.

“The idea behind our workshop was to let students think about how they can find self-compassion and self-love, especially under the shadow of Valentine’s Day. During midterm week, I think it’s a nice idea for people to remember, in order to be kind to themselves, to take a breath, take a couple of breaths, take a moment, and tell themselves that I’m doing fine and I’m good enough the way I am,” said Learning Specialist Mara Strenger.

Students who attended enjoyed the meditation and hope to see more sessions in the future. “I really loved it, and I think Five Towns should continue to have meditation sessions like that. As somebody who’s been meditating for years, I know the benefits of it, and I think that it would be very beneficial for students in these struggling times,” said Music Performance Major Nick Ryan.

At the end of the session, attendees were given a little gift bag with a small notebook, chapstick, a tiny crystal, and some chocolate to help with some self-care and remember the lessons taught by Project Heartbalm.