The Mindfulness and Meditation Club provides UT students with relaxation methods and allows them to reflect on themselves by focusing on self-awareness. The club hosts meetings every Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. in Student Union Room 376B.
The Mindfulness and Meditation Club allows students to be themselves without any judgment. This club takes pride in authenticity by having what the club calls a “raw check-in,” in which students honestly tell the group how they have been doing whether it is good or bad. Students in the club also create a sense of community that feels like having a second family.
The club has other activities in addition to its weekly meetings. One event that they have is a pop-up thrift shop. Some of the items on display are clothes, books and occasionally even sweet treats.
Another event the club hosts is the annual Spring Retreat in a cabin in the woods. The retreat is one of the most popular events because students get to spend time outdoors as well as socialize and strengthen their friendships.
Charlotte Szymanski, a sophomore psychology and Italian major and the club’s social media coordinator, spoke more about what a student gains from the Mindfulness and Meditation Club.
“Overall, students in this club grow together in a way of finding yourself,” Syzmanski said.
Maddie Hux, a senior wildlife and fisheries management major, is the president of the club and has been involved in it for about three years. With experience in the club, Hux is knowledgeable about what it means to be mindful. Hux spoke about another area of how mindfulness can benefit students.
“Mindfulness can also help improve your focus, which aids in academic achievement,” Hux said.
Since the spring 2024 semester is coming to an end, now is a great time for students to be mindful due to finals coming up soon. To help prepare mentally, students can take advantage of this club and benefit academically and cognitively. They can relax and take a step away from the stress of finals.
The mind is a main generator for stress. Depending on how one thinks, it is typically where anxiety is started. Meditation allows a person to focus on themselves and shut out all the noise to focus on their breathing. The more one is in touch with their breathing, the more quiet the mind is. The Conversation states that just meditating for 10 minutes a day can have a huge impact on the brain.
There are a lot more reasons to meditate other than to relieve stress. Not only does meditation have benefits for the mind, but it can also improve one’s physical health. According to Cultivating Health, meditation can help decrease an individual’s blood pressure which overall helps with keeping the heart healthy.
It is understandable that some students may not have the time to join another club this far into the semester, or they may not feel comfortable about opening up to a group of people. However, the Mindfulness and Meditation Club offers something for everyone. Hux spoke about the flexibility and atmosphere of the club.
“Our club environment is extremely laid back,” Hux said. “Some days are more high energy than others, but we always center ourselves in the meditation. We have fun.”
To find out more about the Mindfulness and Meditation Club and its activities, check out their Instagram, @UTK.mindfulnessandmediation.
