Mental Health challenges are always something difficult to deal with, especially for college students. The stresses of college–meeting friends, studying, getting work done, possibly playing a sport, or having a job, etc.- can mount.
When planning college activities and events for students, we should always be motivated in some capacity to help students feel good. The right experience can make a significant impact on a struggling college student and create memories and friendships for life. That’s just one reason why we love helping college planners so much. We get to be a part of making those memories.
We may not be able to diagnose and solve all the problems that negatively impact mental health, but we can offer solutions that are proven to have positive impacts on mental health.
Today on the blog, we’d like to cover some research studies that help prove that things like positive language, words, and college programming like speakers, spoken word artists, and relaxation programs can impact multiple aspects of mental health.
Can Positive Language Actually Improve Mental Health?
YES. And with a realistic and aware perspective on this reality, we can help college students enjoy their college experience and life during college.
As college event planners, it’s our responsibility to provide quality events that provide fulfilling experiences to students throughout the semester. Experiences that not only entertain students but also provide them with some kind of value that they can use in their lives at college and beyond.
Here are some of the proven ways that the spoken word and positive thinking can improve mental health:
A Measurable Impact on the Brain Itself
Neuroscientists found that holding positive words in mind stimulates frontal lobe activity, while negative words can worsen pain perception. Holding negative words in our heads literally hurts us, while positive words stimulate the frontal lobe of our brain, which is the portion of our brains that manages thinking, emotions, personality, judgment, self-control, muscle control, movements, memory storage, and more. By simply thinking happy thoughts, we have more access to such a vital portion of our brain. Seeing and feeling others who may have experienced or felt some of the same things they are feeling can be a very positive experience, and cause college students to retain positive language in their minds.
Building Self-Esteem
Spoken Word poets and college speakers often bring forth a sense of inner contemplation that can help to reduce stress. Just by telling yourself positive thoughts, you will start to become a less stressed and more self-valuing person. Positive Language is a perfect tool to help students engage in this introspection. Providing resources and assets to help students through their tough times should always be a motivating factor for college event planning.
Helping to Reduce Depression & Anxiety
The same positive thinking attitude that reduces stress and improves brain functionality also helps ward off symptoms of depression. These programs often have young adults who have struggled with anxiety, depression, and stress. They really do help students work through them in small but impactful ways.
Physical Health Benefits
While the connection should be researched more, there are indications that positive emotional language and introspective thinking improve physical recovery and health. The study linked demonstrates that there is a clear connection between positive language and a healthy life. By providing resources, tools, and events for students that offer opportunities for positive experiences and connect with other students, we are at the very least offering additional help to students’ mental and physical health. Talking through issues with new friends and understanding they are not alone on campus can certainly help them maximize their college experience.
It’s clear that building a positive environment and being in a positive language environment is healthy for students. Spoken Word Artists and Keynote Speakers can bring positive energy to your event and provide these mental health benefits. Of course, there are other ways to achieve these benefits as well. Relaxation Events, Art Events, and other Interactive Attractions can help reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, while providing students with a fun way to engage with eachother and relax.
How Can I Improve Mental Health on my Campus?
If you want to bring a Spoken Word Artist, Keynote Speaker, or any other form of immersive entertainment experience to your college’s event, we can help! At Neon Entertainment, we specialize in bringing these events to campuses like yours all over the U.S. So if you are looking to bring some professional, high-quality entertainment to your campus, Contact one of our agents today!
FAQS
What is Spoken Word?
Spoken Word often ends up being used to describe poetry that is performed and read aloud. Calling it exclusively poetry would be incorrect, however. The spoken word in this case is entertainment in front of an audience that uses language and communication as the primary medium. This often takes the form of sharing personal experiences or addressing social issues.
What are Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speakers are expert presenters who communicate a message to a large audience. TED Talks are an excellent example of these. The messages they communicate often focus on leadership, resilience, motivation, personal growth, and positive thinking.
