BODY POLITIC X MNDFL: Rest and Digest
A WORKSHOP + PANEL ON SLEEP AND MENTAL HEALTH
In February, we got together at MNDFL meditation studio in Greenwich Village to learn more the intersections of sleep and mental health. We wanted to learn more about the concept of “sleep hygiene,” the relationship between sleep and mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and the unique ways marginalized populations experience these issues. We had a hunch that it’s not as simple as just relaxing.
c. Anabel Caba
We started off the evening with a restorative mediation and movement workshop led by Jenna Conner. Cannabis and tech expert Mary Pryor kicked off the evening by introducing us to some of Tonic CBD’s products which we had the opportunity to sample before beginning our meditation. Then, Jenna led us through a soothing 30 min class that we ended with legs up the wall to foster relaxation and anti-anxiety. We took a short tea + chill break and reconvened for the panel!
“I ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE BREATH. IF YOU FIND YOURSELF STRESSED OUT, TAKE ONE SECOND AND FEEL YOUR HEARTBEAT”
— JENNA CONNER
Our panel moderator, senior health editor at SELF, Anna Borges, kicked off the conversation by asking our panelists one way they try to foster a good sleep environment and one thing that regularly gets in the way. Our audience chimed in with tools they use to relax - from sipping a warm drink, to taking a hot shower, to cuddling with a pet. Our panelists discussed the ways that routine can be both grounding and challenging, and how conversations about sleep sometimes put the onus entirely on the individual. Mary Pryor shared the many sleep aids that help her relax - from weighted blankets to CBD - but expressed that sleep still doesn’t always come easily.
c. Anabel Caba
panelists from left to right: Mary Pryor, Jenna Conner, KerriAnne Sejour, Melanie Mignucci, Anna Borges.
All our panelists agreed that there’s a degree of shame that surrounds mental health and the inability to sleep, and KerriAnne Sejour, practicing clinician with Therapy Brooklyn, spoke about the importance of reaching out for help when you need it. The panel agreed that our current political climate makes it especially hard - but necessary - to practice self-care, since there are so many other issues that demand our attention and activism on a daily basis. Melanie Mignucci, Health + Wellness editor at Bustle, argued that while it may be hard to prioritize getting ourselves to therapy or developing nighttime routines, it’s necessary to practice self-care in order to have the capacity to help others. Jenna suggested that yoga can be a helpful tool during stressful times for helping the nervous system transition from the fight or flight mode to rest and digest mode.
“GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO ACCESS YOUR NEEDS. KNOW THAT THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS YOU NEED TO HAVE, AND ESTABLISH THE SPACE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.”
— KERRIANNE SEJOUR
We closed out the night with more tea and mingling and shared some homemade goodie bags containing our favorite sleep and relaxation aids, as well as recommended IG accounts to follow for a less stressed time on social media. Guests walked away with melatonin chocolates from Good Day, CBD from Sunsoil, and skincare samples from evanhealy. We parted ways eager to start our nighttime routines - is 8PM too early to tuck yourself in for a good night’s sleep?
Body Politic pouches were designed and hand-made by Annika Norden and Joyce Freitag!