Student Resources

Meditation & Mindful Apps

You can use different techniques to practice mindfulness at any time. Try these meditation and mindfulness apps:

HAPPIFY: This is an app and website designed to help users overcome negative thoughts, stress, and life’s challenges using evidence-based solutions.

SANVELLO: This is an app that provides strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. You can also track your mood throughout the day and learn calming tips.

HEADSPACE: Try spoken-word exercises, meditation, or practice some deep breathing exercises.

STOP, BREATHE, & THINK: Cope with stress by managing your breathing. The app offers a variety of exercises and information on the effects of stress on the body.

CALM: Calm: Improve your focus, happiness, or gratitude by listening to music, meditation sessions, or a calming background image.

SMILING MIND: This app content is divided by age and incorporates an easy program for both children and adults.

UCLA MINDFUL: Basic meditation exercises in English and Spanish. Informative videos exploring how to get started, supportive meditation postures, and the science of mindfulness.

SOLITAIRED: Play a solitaire game while also engaging in mindfulness prompts.

Some apps are completely free while others include a free version with the option to upgrade to premium content and features.

CSUDH Apps

CSUDH EATS (App available for iPhone or iPad)

CSUDH Eats alerts users about free or low-cost food sources on campus. This app will also provide information about items that may be purchased at the campus’s weekly farmers market.

ASK TEDDY (App available for iPhone or Android)

Ask Teddy is a virtual academic advisor and campus guide.

iTOROS MOBILE (App available for iPhone or Androids)

iToros Mobile provides easy access to your Grades, Holds, To-Do List, Class Schedule and more! Away from your computer? No worries! You can now register and pay fees using your mobile device.

Mental Health Blogs

NAMI Blog: NAMI shares insight from mental health professionals on a wide array of topics. From mental illness to defeating stigmas, these blog posts offer education, suggestions, and real life stories on living with mental illness.

PsychCentral Blog: PsychCentral maintains an extensive collection of mental health blogs.

Psychology Today: Psychology Today offers a directory of blogs run by mental health professionals and experts in a range of specialty areas.

BarBend: BarBend has an extensive collection on exercise and nutrition. Learn how to improve your mental health through body movement and food-choices.

Managing Anxiety During COVID-19

The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be stressful. Feeling fear and anxiety about COVID-19 or the reaction of our communities can be overwhelming. While the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty are completely normal during this time, there are ways we can manage those emotions in a healthy manner.

Below are some tips that you can put into practice.

1. Practice labeling your emotions

Putting a name to your feelings decreases their intensity. So whether you are feeling sad, anxious, angry, or scared, acknowledge it. By paying attention to those emotions you can decrease the chance you'll make a decision based on those emotions only.

2. Take breaks

Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news pertaining to COVID-19 (including social media). Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and overwhelming.

3. Take care of your body

Take time to practice deep breathing, stretch your body, or meditate. Remember to eat a well balanced meal (include vegetables and fruits), exercise regularly (30 minutes a day), get plenty of sleep (7-9 hours), and avoid alcohol & drugs.

4. Make time to relax

Make time to unwind, relax, and have fun. Try to do some activities you enjoy such as dancing, reading, drawing, walking or playing with your pet.

5. Connect with others

Staying connected to others is important during this time of physical social-distancing. Talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.

Getting The Most Of Your Online Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives and has forced us to adapt to a virtual environment. Here are some strategies for getting the most of your online learning and improving time management.

1. Create a regular study space and stay organized.

Whether your study space is your kitchen table, your nightstand, or the patio lawn chair. Avoid studying in your bed, as this may interfere with your sleep.

2. Figure out how you learn best.

What time of day are you at your best? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Set aside an hour or two to study and focus on one task at a time. If you have kids that require your attention, try to carve out a study session during their nap-time, free-play, or video game time.

3. Eliminate distractions.

Some might find that they can tune out a noisy home by listening to music. Others might choose to lock themselves in a room. Others might go outside on the porch or in the backyard. Ultimately, you will need to find a strategy that works best for you.

4. Try using a "done" list.

A “done” list includes the things you’ve done during the day, such as listening to the biology lecture, responding to an email, submitting assignments, or even having a conversation. The act of writing down what you’ve done and seeing a list of those activities grow throughout the day often can offset the disappointment of a never-ending to-do list.

5. Take a break and get moving.

Sitting for long periods combined with isolation can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Make sure to incorporate breaks so you can recharge. Drink water, stretch your legs, and take some time to breathe! Make sure you can see the natural light through your window or door. Or better yet, go outside for a bit each day to soak up the sunlight.

Hang in there TOROS, you are RESILIENT, and we will get through this pandemic TOGETHER!

YOU@CSUDH

The purpose of the YOU@CSUDH portal is to connect students with campus resources and other online educational tools to increase CSUDH student success. The innovative digital tool promotes self- reflection, allowing students to be more proactive with their health and well-being in order to make the most of their college experience.

Students can complete brief assessments and create their profile in order to customize content. Users can set goals and check them off once completed, review useful and relatable content, or search for something specific.

Using the portal, students can explore their strengths and areas for growth across three domains:

SUCCEED = Academics / Career
THRIVE = Physical / Mental Health
MATTER = Purpose / Community / Social

HOW TO LOG-IN INTO YOUR YOU@COLLEGE ACCOUNT

Visit the YOU@CSUDH website you.csudh.edu
Click on "Log in with Your ID" icon. Use your CSUDH credentials (username and password).
Next, confirm your CSUDH email.
Next, click on the "Create a Customized Dashboard" icon and follow the directions their after.

INFORMATION & PRIVACY

The YOU@CSUDH platform collects basic user information (name, email address, etc.). This information is collected to allow the platform to enable secure access and personalized resources for individual users. In addition, YOU@CSUDH collects product usage data (clicks, time spent on the site, search terms, etc.) each time a student uses the platform.

However, YOU@CSU’s comprehensive privacy defenses protect this information from risk. For example:

Data like names and email addresses are always encrypted to protect the student’s identity.
We restrict our team’s access to student data, limiting access of confidential information to only key development staff.
YOU@CSUDH analytics use aggregate data and prevents displaying small results sizes.
YOU@CSUDH information is not sold to any outside third party.

YOU@CSUDH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

CSUDH is in partnership with Grit Digital Health, a company created by Cactus Communications and their owner Joe Conrad. A research agreement between CSUDH and Grit Digital Health was formalized in November 2020 for You@CSUDH content creation/review, concept testing and evaluation. The portal launched in Spring 2021. Student Psychological Services at CSUDH have worked closely with the company to envision and continue to enhance the portal.

YOU@CSU CONTACTS

For University-specific questions, contact Josephine Lara, Mental Health Education Assistant

310.243.3818 | jlara@csudh.edu