Ann Arbor Times

YPSILANTI — Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, many Americans did not consider self-care a priority. However, as of 2020, almost 70% of respondents in a survey conducted by wellness software company Vargo said they were planning on doing more self-care the following year.

Despite the recent recognition of the importance of self-care—possibly driven by the changes caused by the pandemic—many individuals continue to face barriers to practicing it. This month’s episode of “Enlighten U,” Eastern Michigan University’s mental health podcast, teaches listeners about self-care, why it’s so important, and how to make time for it in daily life.

Expert guest Raina LaGrand, LMSW, MPH, CYT, owns Root to Rise Somatics in Ypsilanti. There, she focuses on connectedness and how it impacts well-being. LaGrand emphasizes the need for this connection in self-care routines.

“You can drink all the green juice, go to Orange Theory every day, and quit smoking,” LaGrand said. “But if you’re not connected, you’re not going to be well.”

Student guest Laleh Walker, a rising sophomore at Eastern Michigan studying public relations, said her freshman year was extraordinarily busy. Luckily, she recognized the importance of self-care when she felt drained.

“I felt like the walls were caving in on me,” Walker said.

While discussing her feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed, Walker shared her self-care strategies including forming a routine, meditation, and talking to her parents—further illustrating the importance LaGrand places on connectedness and communication.

Throughout the episode, Walker and LaGrand also discuss facets of self-care including goal setting with realistic goals and forming good habits for later in life. They also address how students can keep in touch over the summer.

The episode offers listeners an opportunity to win a self-care-related prize. To enter, listeners must watch the episode until the end, like the video comment section below it as well as subscribe to Eastern Michigan University’s YouTube channel. Five winners will be randomly selected and announced in early July; they will then have 30 days to claim their prize from EMU.

Future episodes of “Enlighten U” will address topics such as fear of failure learning disabilities adjustment to campus life navigating transition from high school college more

For more information please contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu or Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu To submit topic idea or guest request please contact show directly Enlighten_U@emich.edu

About “Enlighten U”

“Enlighten U” is an Eastern Michigan University-produced podcast for college students experiencing unique stressors including academic pressures personal growth social challenges Each episode welcomes student alum subject-matter professional addressing mental health topics like imposter syndrome financial strain grading anxiety adjustment campus life social media harms social justice

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded 1849 second oldest public university Michigan serves more than 13k students pursuing undergraduate graduate specialist doctoral certificate degrees arts sciences professions More than 300 majors minors concentrations delivered through University's Colleges Arts Sciences Business Education Engineering Technology Health Human Services graduate school National publications regularly recognize EMU excellence diversity commitment applied education Visit University rankings points pride websites learn more For more information about Eastern Michigan visit University's website Stay up date news activities announcements visit EMU Today

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