Thriving through Transitions
Cultivating Resilience And Growth Mindset In College
Tips for Coping with Seasonal Depression Navigating the Winter Blues
The Power of Gratitude
Uncovering Hidden Treasures of a Thankful Heart
Journeying Through Global Hot Drink Traditions Cultural Cuppas
Dreaming of a Green Holiday
Festive
Eco-Friendly Tips
We’ve reached miles 10-12, the halfway mark—did you know this is where many runners consider calling it quits? But not Luxeathoners! To keep pushing forward, we might need to switch up our pace a bit. Just like in any marathon, we encounter physical and mental hurdles, unpredictable conditions, and the need to adapt our strategies. Embracing change means staying resilient, flexible, and laser-focused amidst these challenges.
This month, our focus is on imparting invaluable life lessons in perseverance and adaptability that extend far beyond the racecourse. With many of our participants gearing up for life after college, it’s all about staying on the fast track to success.
We’ve got some tea to spill, but first put down your coffee! Our wellness campaign this month will educate our guests on the benefits of tea and why substituting a cup of coffee for a cup of tea will give you an energy boost, promotes calmness, and provide your body with rich antioxidants and hydration.
It’s the holiday season and mint is prominent in a lot of desserts and beverages, the herb contains antioxidants and essential oils that may have calming effects on the digestive system, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion or nausea.
Celebrate holidays with environmentally friendly practices like gifting homemade treats such as holiday cookies in reusable containers o avoid packaging waste and promote sustainable living.
Fostering a Supportive
Navigating through college can be a tricky experience, and at times, you may think you can’t bounce back from a challenging situation. But here, at Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality, our vision is to dedicate and foster success and the advancement of the institutions we serve. By doing this, we help propel the businesses we serve forward. Don’t get discouraged; many people want to see you succeed, and we want to see you and your friends running past the Luxeathon™ into your next chapter of success.
On college campuses, many students can feel lonely and anxious. You or some of your friends can feel the pressure of going back to your hometown, seasonal depression, or not feeling like you’re at your full potential. Transitioning through college trials can be overwhelming or rewarding and a significant life change. The financial stress, academic stress, and even independence can feel overwhelming. Most colleges and universities are determined to support their students so they can succeed in their studies, much like Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, Tested: College Students and Mental Health, “students are using campus resources to talk about emotional health concerns. Moreover, it is becoming common for them to talk to friends, professors, and staff about these concerns.”
Transitioning into college doesn’t have to be an anxious process. There are many resources at your HBCU that you can utilize to help you cultivate a resilient mindset. Use some of these strategies to help navigate through college while still succeeding in your studies.
Start the conversation with someone you trust about your challenging situations. This could be beneficial because it allows you to address any situation you may be going through. Instead of going through the situation alone, talking with a person you trust can ease the stress and may open doors for resources.
Building this principle will help you bounce back from any situation because your mindset is different. Knowing that you overcame one struggle could give you the confidence to conquer the next struggle or bounce back from the setback.
Connecting with an organization or a group that shares your interests could help boost your mood. Being part of a group with students who share similar interests and values can cultivate a safe space where you feel heard and seen, which could boost your mental health overall.
Getting a good night’s rest and eating a well-balanced diet can make all the difference when trying to succeed in college. It’s easy to get that not-so-healthy snack or sacrifice sleep for studying, but lack of sleep and nutrients can impact your productivity and become detrimental to your studies. Knowing what needs to be done and putting those tasks in order can help you prioritize and stay on track to achieve your goals.
Building resilience is one of the secret keys to functioning through life as a young adult. Knowing how to handle numerous factors, such as adversity or stress, will teach you how to navigate through the ups and downs of academic life and personal life. Addressing those factors with someone you trust could also provide resources that can help you transition into living a Luxe Life.
The weather is starting to get cooler, and the days are becoming shorter. Navigating through the winter blues can be detrimental for students. You may start to feel depressed when this time comes around, but following these tips could turn your seasonal depression into things you no longer have to worry about.
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, most known as Seasonal Depression, is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons, for example, fall or winter. People with SAD could experience fatigue, hopelessness, or depression. Improvement is said to move in when the spring season arrives. SAD is brought on by changes in daylight hours. In retrospect, having the “holiday blues” is the feeling of sadness brought on by the stresses of certain times of the year.
Such as school scheduling or family visits. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “SAD occurs much more often in women than in men” and “is more common in people living farther north, where there are shorter daylight hours in the winter.” SAD is also more common in people who struggle with depression or bipolar disorder. Moreover, the disorder may be common in people who have relatives with other mental illnesses.
NIMH stated that “Studies indicate that people with SAD, especially winter-pattern SAD, have reduced levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate mood. Research also suggests that sunlight affects levels of molecules that help maintain normal serotonin levels. Shorter daylight hours may prevent these molecules from functioning properly, contributing to decreased serotonin levels in the winter.”
Daylight savings time for some people means gaining or losing one hour of sleep. In its literal definition, provided by The Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory, by act of Congress, civil clocks in most areas of the United States are adjusted ahead one hour in the summer months (known as Daylight Saving Time) and returned one hour in the winter months (known as standard time). For others, daylight savings is a time they dread because of the consequences of losing an hour of daylight.
While seasonal depression is challenging to work around, there are ways that you can cope with the change. Here are some ways you can tackle seasonal depression:
Self-care is the best care! Prioritizing your emotional and physical well-being is vital to your everyday life. Eating a regular, balanced diet and getting enough sleep can boost energy levels. These increased levels can make you want to get out of a seasonal slump and be productive.
Finding a hobby you enjoy will keep your brain occupied. Doing something that brings you happiness when coping with seasonal depression could turn things around. You can also look forward to doing it after work or classes. Consider joining the gym, reading a book from the Thompson Hospitality Marketing team’s October book list, or starting and completing a craft project. Doing these things can help distract you from the burden of SAD.
Lack of sleep can worsen seasonal depression and could increase the chances of students experiencing it. Sleeping, eating healthily, exercising, or finding a hobby could be an important part of your daily routine and could make all the difference. Healthy eating habits and enough sleep are most likely in your daily life, but putting them into a routine and balancing these factors could curve seasonal depression and keep anxiety at bay. Consider purchasing a planner to help you plan the day or using task tools on your cell phone.
Light therapy could be a great alternative to getting sunlight and managing SAD. Twenty minutes of light therapy is said to have a positive effect on those dealing with seasonal depression. Consider visiting your on-campus wellness center to take advantage of any light therapy resources they may have. Visiting them could open the door to an abundance of other resources just for you.
There are resources out there to help combat SAD, and you are not alone. Much like when running your race in life, it’s easy to see people running past you or side by side, but their journey is different. Take some time off the track and take care of yourself. You could ultimately benefit from the break and could come back stronger, healthier, and better.
Being joyful and practicing gratitude comes with many personal benefits. These feelings of joy or gratitude can relieve stress and improve sleep patterns, relationships, and productivity. Practicing gratitude can be a game-changing trait to develop because living a life of gratitude helps you notice the small wins or moments that could mean the world to you and the people around you. Becoming resilient to trials and tribulations can also help develop gratitude. Bouncing back from a challenge that could’ve been meant to destroy you and then conquering it is a joyful thing, giving you the boost you need to continue to push through.
To be resilient, you must practice gratitude. Just a few years ago, the world was uncertain about the next steps during and after the COVID-19 virus came in like a storm. It was a crazy time back then, but look how far we’ve come as a nation. Think about yourself and how much you may have endured from then to now. When dealing with trials and tribulations, try adopting a positive outlook and focusing on the lessons you have learned; this is a way to practice gratitude. You have resilience because you made it through a challenging situation and came back better. Resilience helps us remain positive in the face of disruption.
In a 10-week study done by two psychologists, Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami, the professors separated the participants into three groups. One group wrote about their daily irritations and displeasing factors, the second group wrote about events that affected them, neither good nor bad, and lastly, the third group wrote about what made them express gratitude during the week. The study concluded that “after 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives.”
So, what better time than now to express gratitude for life’s simple pleasures? The key to living a luxe life is being grateful for everything that comes your way, including the people who come into your life and circumstances that were meant to break you. Developing a resilient trait will continue to empower you beyond school. Things happen, but how you bounce back and learn from them is up to you.
Incorporating a few of these tips every day will help you to start building resilience and expressing gratitude for the simple things and joys of life on a regular basis:
Writing handwritten thank-you notes could make you happier. Writing handwritten notes to someone could brighten you and the receiving person’s day, nurturing the relationship. Expressing enjoyment or appreciation of them could have a significant impact on their personal life and in return make them joyful because of the good deed.
Doing this makes you think about all the wonderful things for which you can express gratitude. Consider picking a day and time out of the week when you can journal the things that made you grateful. Doing this with a friend can enhance both of your moods and could show you not to sweat the little stuff.
Connecting with a higher power could be where your help comes from. Praying and saying “Thank you” to your higher power is a way you can express gratitude for life. Meditating can help you focus on the present. Try meditating on something, such as a scripture, if you are religious, or a place or sound.
Or make your own! A gratitude journal is a notebook or book that helps you reflect on the things you are thankful for in life. This is the perfect way to start cultivating resilience and practicing gratitude. Some gratitude journals have prompts that typically start with “I” or other features that will prompt you to start thinking about the world around you and the small joys of life.
Drinking soothing hot tea is enjoyed throughout the world and by many cultures. It’s a staple in millions of homes around the world. Some cultures have their own legends of how tea was first brought to their culture and consider it embedded in their history. According to the Tea Spot Website, there is a Chinese legend that tea was born in 2727 BC. An emperor named Shen Nong was purifying water, and several leaves blew into the pot of water. As a result, the taste, color, and aroma made the emperor rejoice, making tea a daily drink while inventing a beverage that would later be loved by all.
You may enjoy your tea at the very peak of the afternoon or cold brewed with herbs and spices. In the Japanese culture, tea is enjoyed and valued. It is a way for the culture to avoid participating in “the vulgarity of wine’s drunkenness” (Tea Spot). In addition, tea was considered a benefit to one’s health. Tea became a luxury in everyday life in Japan and was regarded as a necessity. Much like Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality, living a luxe life is necessary for daily life. Several hundred years ago, the Japanese ruling class attended special ceremonies where tea was served. Matcha, a powdered tea, was primarily served at the special ceremonies. Today, the Japanese drink a variety of teas, especially green tea. They appreciate the greenish-golden color and delicacy of taste. Let’s take a journey into tea traditions around the world.
In France, the three-lettered word looks different. The French spelling of Tea is the (accent over E) or le the. The first French tea connoisseur, King Louis XIV, drank tea regularly, mainly for health reasons. Tea was prescribed to help his digestion and prevent gout and cardiac disorders. Tea is popular in France and is enjoyed for every occasion, event, or at any time of the day. Tearooms, small cafés, or restaurants where beverages, small pastries, and light meals are served are popular in France. They thrive because it is considered a center for sociability and engaging conversations, and most tearooms are in urban areas.
China introduced tea to the Western world via the famous Dutch East India Company in the 17th century (The Tea Spot). In the U.K., it is considered the largest consumer of tea in the world. Traditionally, coffee was the drink of choice for working-class Britans, while hot chocolate was also a preferred beverage. Then came “Teatime,” enjoyed by the upper class around 4:00 pm because typically, their diet consisted of a late breakfast and late dinner. The phrase “low tea or “afternoon tea” stemmed from the height of the tables when being served. Traditionally, low tea was served on lower tables (coffee tables), and high tea was served on higher tables.
In China, tea is to be appreciated. Much like Japan, the Chinese used tea for medicinal purposes, and it was considered a luxury to have. Tea was also used for gift giving, giving the leaves to someone who they appreciated or valued. Lu Yu, an 8th-century scholar producing the first authoritative book on tea, compared tea to “… the sweetest dew from heaven”. In addition to being gifted tea leaves, tea was regarded as a sacred gift; it was also used for ancestor worship, courtship rituals, and a tribute to taxes. Once tea started becoming more popular, it spread to various countries, and for centuries, China was the only exporting country.
Tea started being celebrated after our nation’s independence. In 1773, three shiploads of tea were dumped into the harbor in protest over high taxes on tea; thus, the Boston Tea Party emerged. The U.S. contributes to global tea by popularizing iced tea. (The Tea Spot). A group of Indian producers introduced black tea at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, MO. The summer heat and humidity prompted them to serve black tea over ice; since then, the consumption of iced tea has grown to 40 billion cups per year.
Tea is enjoyed globally and is to be appreciated because of its rich history. Cultural respect for tea makes it a hot commodity for all that partake. Tea could be thought of as a healthy alternative to sugary beverages or even a way to show which type of class you represent. Tea can be enjoyed cold, hot, and as a way to quench thirst. Take the time to appreciate its history, sip slowly, and embrace the beauty of those who made it what it is today.
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Mint is a popular herb with many health benefits. It is said to help with digestive problems, reducing allergic symptoms, and soothing common cold symptoms. You can also find mint in a variety of things, including candy, beauty products, and toothpaste. In addition to its many health benefits, mint soothes the mind by acting as a natural remedy for reducing stress and anxiety.
Mint is considered to have originated in Greek literature; Mint’s original name was Minthe. According to Greek mythology, this aromatic herb once was the beautiful nymph Minthe, beloved by Pluto. Legend has it that Pluto’s jealous wife, Persephone, transformed Minthe into a low-growing plant. Pluto made sure the herb would not be forgotten–he gave mint a delightfully sweet fragrance that is released whenever it is walked upon.
Mint is one of 25 species of fragrant herbs widely distributed worldwide, mostly in temperate locations. The most popular species are peppermint and spearmint. These herbs are used for flavoring, essential oils, and perfume scents. Some species are commonly used in herbal medicine.
Physically, the mint plant has a variety of characteristics; the stems are square and stand straight up. The leaves are oppositely arranged and slightly hairy, and the fresh aroma comes from the leaves. The flowers are small and usually pale, purple, pink or white.
Spearmint, on the other hand, has square stems and aromatic leaves and can root anywhere it touches the ground. The shape and color of the leaves are bright green and arranged in opposite pairs of ovals with pointed tips and toothed edges. The flowers are small pink, light purple, or white.
Mint has refreshing benefits for the mind, body, and soul. It stimulates the senses and is said to lift moods. Mint’s healing properties can be found in beauty products; it is used as cleansers, deodorizers, and skin soothers. For women, mint is found in most healing lip glosses and can be made at home with fresh spearmint leaves, light oils, and grated beeswax.
For thousands of years, mint has been used for calming benefits, such as upset stomach or indigestion. Mint menthol is known to be an aromatic decongestant that might help to break up phlegm and mucus, making it easier to expel. In addition, menthol ointments may be a safe and effective treatment for children with common cold symptoms.
Mint is also used to flavor many dishes and beverages. Mint tea is a refreshing beverage that aids in digestion treats common cold symptoms, and can even cure hiccups. It is best to add raw mint leaves to the cooking process or at the very end. Mint can also be grown at home, making it a sustainable way to flavor food. Prominently in Middle Eastern culture, mint is most used for lamb, soups, and vegetables.
Next time you are craving a treat, try incorporating mint! Its refreshing taste can be used for various ideas, including cucumber or lemon water infused with mint, fresh chopped mint into chocolate chip cookie dough, or even chopping mint into fresh pineapple for a cool and refreshing snack.
Mint contains several beneficial factors and can be used as an alternative to salty, sugary, or calorific diets. Take some time out from running the Luxeathon™ to enjoy some warm peppermint tea to revitalize your life or cool off from running with infused mint tea.
“It’s the thought that counts” is a popular saying often used when someone is gifting another person a gift. This way of thinking could help encourage meaningful and sustainable gifts that the recipient would appreciate this holiday season. Gift-giving doesn’t have to be a burden or hard. Choosing meaningful and sustainable gifts will show the other person that you care for them and have taken the time to provide them with something that will last for seasons to come while you are doing your part for the environment.
Finding the “right” gift can involve sustainable, ethical gift-giving. Sustainable gifts are items that are socially, environmentally, and economically responsible. Essentially, they are designed to last. Choosing sustainable gifts can also help reduce waste and pollution. These gifts can include experiences, shopping with locally owned or small businesses, or DIY projects. Here are some suggestions for meaningful and sustainable gifts that will contribute to helping the planet while gifting thoughtfully.
Instead of gifts that include manufacturing and contributing to the carbon footprint, consider an experience. If you are staying on campus during the holiday season, consider inviting a relative or friend to stay with you over the holiday season. You can show them what you do while you are away in college. However, be sure to consult with your residential advisor beforehand to verify your guest can stay. Your family or friends will get to experience a feel for your campus, and it could be meaningful for them. If visiting your campus is not an option, gifting them a ticket entry to an activity or purchasing a gift card from their local eatery can be another option. Another option could be a Marine Recreational Activity or outdoor activity. This could give them an experience to look forward to and potentially keep them excited and talking about it until they use it.
Are you that person who enjoys the hustle and bustle of gift shopping? If shopping for gifts is your way of being meaningful and gifting thoughtfully, consider shopping at small or local businesses. Shopping from people of color, woman-owned, or veteran-owned businesses is a way for you to stay committed to being sustainable. Supporting fair trade businesses is another ethical way of gift-giving. Fair
Trade aims to improve the lives of farmers and workers in developing countries, ensuring they receive fair prices for their goods. When out shopping, look for the green “Fair Trade Certified” sticker to ensure your shopping is ethical, and that you will be contributing to the livelihood of the workers you’ve purchased from.
Do It Yourself (DIY’s) gifts are great ways to contribute to a greener planet and could also be ethical and thoughtful. Consider creating a gift; this could look like a body scrub, household cleaner, or lip oil. Re-purposing glass jars for kits could also be an option. Another thoughtful option could be baking a gift. Sweets are great gifts to give during the holiday season. Most people are stressed and under pressure, and gifting something as thoughtful as sugar cookies to someone who loves cookies—could make all the difference.
Gift-giving as a college student shouldn’t be complicated. The holiday season is a time to reconnect with friends, love family members you haven’t seen, and receive items that make you cherish them. Going into the store with some of the above suggestions should give you an idea of how to choose meaningful, ethical, and sustainable gifts while gifting thoughtfully and responsibly.
“Wrapping paper, meaningful gifts, and reindeer décor, oh my!” The holidays are coming and will be gone before you know it. The holidays usually generate a lot of waste and can increase by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Consider going green this holiday season and opt for energy-efficient tools. Reduce, reuse, or recycle décor or perhaps use wrapping paper that you stuffed in the closet from last year. Maybe you don’t traditionally celebrate the holiday but will be traveling to loved ones. Traveling thoughtfully will continue to enhance our planet while you are committing to a sustainable holiday.
Suppose your parents or loved ones kept the holiday decorations from last year, then good news! This is the most common way to be sustainable throughout the holiday season. Last year’s wrapping paper can be reused this year. Think of it as the gift that keeps on giving. Maybe you or your loved ones threw away everything to start fresh this year. Consider using real props this year to enhance holiday décor, such as leaves, branches, or real plants. By making these simple changes, you are contributing to a greener tomorrow and holiday season.
Back in the October 2024 issue of Forward Magazine, Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality encouraged you to explore the environmental impact of recycling. Now is the perfect time to put those skills to the test. When out shopping for loved ones, bring your own reusable tote and water bottle; this avoids having multiple plastic bags and purchasing beverages. Reducing food waste could look like planning out your holiday menu and only buying local, sustainable food. Avoid throwing away leftovers; instead, freeze them for meals later or donate them to your local food bank or soup kitchen. Your community will be thankful, and you’ll have a sense of happiness because of what you did.
Lastly, recycling during the season doesn’t have to be mundane. Instead of that perfect gift that you think is at the store, consider going through your closet and finding gently used items that haven’t been used in the last year, then gift them to someone who’ll find a need for them. This will not only be one less thing to throw away but could mean the world to the person receiving it. Don’t have that “perfect” gift in the closet? But the perfect tree? After the holidays, when you’re ready to throw away your Christmas tree, look up local programs that can turn it into wood chips or mulch or donate it to environmental projects.
LED lights are known to sustain energy using 90% less energy than other holiday lights. Switching to LED lights this holiday season can ultimately save you money. LED lights use very little heat and last about 200,000 hours (about 23 years). Therefore, replacing them every year will be a thing of the past. If you are in an area that doesn’t have the four seasons and is always bright and sunny, choose solarpowered décor options, as the sun is the main source of light.
Wrapping gifts is a fun tradition that could be done over hot cocoa or listening to holiday music. But have you ever considered wrapping gifts in recycled paper or reusable materials? Using old boxes, filler paper, or packing peanuts will help sustain our planet. Before throwing out that old magazine, re-purpose it as wrapping paper. Consider buying white or brown craft paper and having little ones decorate it with holiday accents. Recycling cloth bags is another sustainable way to wrap gifts. Wrapping gifts with a scarf or bandana could also be considered.
Millions of people travel worldwide during the holiday season, and this year is expected to be no different. If you choose to travel by aircraft, try to
Book direct flights instead of layovers. This reduces fuel consumption by traveling straight to the destination and not shutting the plane off and restarting when it’s time to travel to the destination.
Find flights that are medium-sized and are not large jets. These planes tend to be more fuel-efficient.
If you choose to travel by vehicle, consider leaving your vehicle at home and using public transportation, such as a bus or train. You could even carpool with a friend who is going in the same direction as you. These helpful tips are not only sustainable but also help reduce your carbon footprint by a ton.
Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood, Vice President of Marketing and Programming
daniela.smallwood@thompsonhospitality.com (571) 446–7430
Stacey Gibson, Director of Retail Marketing
stacey.gibson@thompsonhospitality.com (571) 524–8566
Gina Godwin, Creative Director
Yolanda Waters, Chief Editor
Heaven Smallwood, Editor
Jacquii A. Tilley, Contributing Writer
Tess Mazzucchelli, Graphic Designer