Mari Pangelinan

Tag: mindfulness

  • The Power of Doing Nothing: Why Taking a Break Isn’t a Waste of Time

    The Power of Doing Nothing: Why Taking a Break Isn’t a Waste of Time


    We’re living in a world where being busy and stressed is a sign of success. If we’re not working, socializing, or studying, we’re behind. But what if doing absolutely nothing is just what we need?

    I used to feel so bad about wasting time in bed scrolling through TikTok for an hour or zoning out to some random playlist. It was time I could be using getting something off my to-do list. Recently, though, I’ve started to savor those times and at times noticing the productivity hidden in taking a break.


    Why Slowing Down is Important
    College life can feel never ending– juggling classes, jobs, friends, and all the never-ending activities. There’s constant pressure to keep moving, keep working, keep socializing. With the constant flow of Instagram posts comes the stress to keep up and fill your schedule to the brim.


    But here’s the thing: Staying busy 24/7 can actually backfire. A Time article shares “stress affects the operation of every organ and system in the body, including the immune system.” So why would we let ourselves reach unhealthy ammounts of stress with no rest?


    What “Doing Nothing” Can Look Like
    When I say, “doing nothing,” I don’t mean binge-watching a new series in a marathon or scrolling aimlessly through TikTok. I mean giving yourself permission to actually disconnect. No phone, no laptop, no stressors.

    Doing nothing for me is:

    – Lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling.

    – Taking a color walk.

    – Sitting outside.

    – Setting a timer and letting my mind wander.

    – Coloring in a fun coloring book.

    These might feel awkward or like a waste of time at first – but trust me soon you will find yourself building in time to just be.

    Why Doing Nothing Is Actually Doing Something
    Surprisingly, doing nothing is an incredibly effective way to recharge. According to Harvard Health, resting without interruption can decrease stress levels, boost creativity, and even help you work through feelings you’ve been holding back.


    Personally, I’ve found I feel more balanced when I allow myself to do nothing. Giving myself permission to take time to reset is essential these days. My head clears, and I notice things that I would otherwise have missed out on if I’d been running around with a mind full of a million things. Allowing yourself to take breaks, even if it is hard and awkward at first, can make all the difference.

  • Logging Off to Tune In

    Logging Off to Tune In

    It is no secret that we, as a society, have become reliant on our screens. The American Psychological Association reports that teens spend, on average, 4.8 hours a day on social media. This doesn’t surprise me – between school, social media, texting, and of course mindless scrolling I use my phone for basically everything.

    Reaching for my phone has become this built-in time filler integrated into nearly every task. Now don’t worry this isn’t going to be a post on how we should all get off our phones forever. I do believe there are certain benefits to using our phones. But recently, I have been questioning how can I unplug without feeling like I’m missing everything?

    NPR reported that 91% of people felt better after blocking the internet from their phones for just two weeks. As a college student, I’m not sure this was a realistic path for me to help break the doom-scrolling habits, but this opened my eyes to what a small change can do.

    My Mini Detox

    When Lent came around, I decided to give up social media at night. This felt like a good step toward living life a bit more unplugged. I had my roommate create a screentime password and lock my apps to hold myself accountable. I knew this would be challenging but I didn’t anticipate struggling as much as I did.

    Turning off my phone at night was actually a relief. This allowed me to focus on my nighttime routine and prepare for the next day. The challenge came when I’d wake up in the middle of the night and didn’t have TikTok to scroll through to fall back asleep. With social media blocked, I found myself scrolling through anything and everything I could find on my phone. This was the moment I realized I needed this push toward being unplugged.

    Although this was hard there were other aspects of this that helped me build space between my phone and the urge to scroll. Now, I find myself assuming that screen time notification is about to pop up each night – and sometimes I even wish it did.

    I have learned that yes, I might be the “screenager” I tried so hard not to become. But also, being unplugged doesn’t have to happen overnight. Slowly phasing out habits that are blocking you from connecting with others can be the first step to finding your balance in being unplugged.

    Here are 5 things that helped me replace scrolling

    1. Listen to a podcast.
      • My go to podcast has been the Mel Robbins podcast, this allowed me to focus on something else without having to stare at a screen.
    2. Go on a walk or move your body!
      • I find myself feeling antsy without the mindless scrolling. A five-minute meditation, walk, or yoga helped me clear my head and get out some energy.
    3. Leave your phone at home (when you can).
      • I get that having your phone on you can feel like a safety net. But when you’re with people you trust, try leaving that phone at home and connect with those around you.
    4. Read.
      • It sounds basic, but picking up a book that is interesting to you (not an assigned reading) can act as a good way to reset your mind.
    5. Let your phone die.
      • At times I find myself scared of my phone hitting 1% battery, but I have been trying to let it die and challenge myself to charge it only once a day. This acts as my own kind of “screen time” notification.

    Balance doesn’t mean cutting technology out altogether. It means using your screens more intentionally. Even a brief time offline can make all the difference. And hey, you might even enjoy life a bit more unplugged. I encourage you to log off – just temporarily and tune in to what is around you.

  • Mental Wellness at Your Fingertips: How Calm Is Leading with Purpose

    Mental Wellness at Your Fingertips: How Calm Is Leading with Purpose

    As the mental health crisis continues to grow across the United States, providing people with access to mental health and wellness resources is more crucial than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five adults experience anxiety and depression. Despite these numbers, many people still don’t have access to affordable mental healthcare.

    Calm’s Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

    The Calm app aims to address this issue by offering free and premium meditation, sleep, and wellness resources to help users find balance in their daily lives. The app was founded in 2012 and has seen success over the years, earning the title of iPhone App of the Year in 2017. Since then, it has grown with over 150 million downloads. Today, the Calm app partners with businesses and healthcare providers to help more people access the support they need.

    Calm Logo In the App Store

    This blog post explores Calm’s approach to corporate social responsibility and how the company encourages other organizations to provide employees and customers with mental health resources. Corporate social responsibility encourages companies to assess their impact on society, focusing on more than just profits. With Calm’s free resources, mental health resources are right at people’s fingertips. By focusing on expanding mental health resources Calm has displayed corporate social responsibility, setting an example for other companies to provide access to mental health care. One example of this is Calm’s ongoing partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

    Calm x Kaiser Permanente Partnership

    The partnership began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when stress was at an all-time high. Many were scared to leave their homes, and Calm provided support from anywhere. This partnership offered Kaiser members a free premium subscription that includes guided meditation, sleep stories, breathing exercises, masterclasses, and other wellness resources. Members got emails letting them know about this exciting partnership which not only raised awareness about Calm but also opened a larger conversation about online mental health resources.

     Additionally, the two companies hosted the virtual World Mental Health Day event. This allowed people to hear personal stories from others and take a deeper look at strategies to manage mental health challenges. This event was promoted on social media accounts and company websites, raising awareness across both audiences.

    Flyer from https://www.calm.com

    Effective Digital Campaigns

    In a digital age, it is helpful to promote events on social media as it is both an effective and low-cost option for raising awareness and increasing engagement. Utilizing the many forms of media has helped Calm promote its app and share snippets to get people more interested in what it is about. Posts and flyers that offer information in a concise and visually appealing way can be helpful in spreading awareness about campaigns and events. Since this is an app, users and potential users are more likely to check either social media or emails reminding them of events and special offerings. With the app’s growing success, it is clear they are reaching those who could benefit from the various tools offered.

    Calm’s Lasting Impact

    The Calm app is all about providing people with access to mental healthcare and this partnership, as well as similar ones, has helped encourage people to focus on their well-being. By providing free and accessible mental health tools, Calm has allowed many people to access help they may not have been able to get. Partnerships have also encouraged other companies to offer mental health resources and fight this mental health crisis. Opening the conversation about mental health helps break the stigma and encourages people to take charge of their mental health. Calm has helped people and companies take responsibility and fight the mental health crisis.

  • The Power of Connection: Spotlight on Active Minds

    The Power of Connection: Spotlight on Active Minds

    Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up is one of the best lessons I have learned. Having friends who are there to support you is something so important. A non-profit I would like to highlight focuses on creating space for young adults to talk about mental health and well-being.

    Active Minds Logo

    What is Active Minds?

    The nonprofit organization Active Minds uses peer connection to help change the conversation about mental health. Its mission is to “mobilize youth & young adults to transform mental health norms across society” (Active Minds). They create programs where students can support each other and have meaningful discussions with their peers about their well-being. Today, Active Minds is on over 1,000 campuses and in communities facilitating conversations and creating a safe space where people can feel seen, heard, and understood.

    Send Silence Packing

    One of their main events is Send Silence Packing, where they visit 60-80 schools and set up backpacks to represent those who have lost their life to suicide. This visual helps students see the many people who struggle with mental health while encouraging them to have those hard conversations and lean on their community when they need support.

    This peer-to-peer support is what makes Active Minds stand out to me. Meeting young adults where they are helps make mental health a more approachable topic. On their social media accounts, they share tips on managing stress and stories from those who have been impacted by Active Minds.

    Why is this important?

    In a world that feels so busy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lost. Finding a space where you feel comfortable having open conversations about how you are doing can help you and others around you. For some, it may take a more structured community like Active Minds. For me, I have found community through the friendships and support systems I have built. Knowing I have people who hear me and listen without judgment has helped me understand that it’s OK to feel lost or to ask for help. I encourage you to think about your community — spaces where you feel heard and supported — and lean on them when life feels busy and out of balance.

    In the same way, be there for others. A quick call, a thoughtful text, or inviting someone to go on a walk can make all the difference. Being part of a community is not just about finding support, but about offering it too.