The Mind Spa is a space curated to help you relax, improve concentration and memory, and be a successful student.
The Mind Spa is equipped for the practice of mindfulness, meditation, relaxation, and overall self-care. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can have important physical and mental health benefits such as increased concentration, awareness, and regulation of emotions. Studies show that these practices have positive short- and long-term effects on the brain. You might begin to notice benefits from your participation at the Mind Spa immediately or after a few uses.
Mind Spa Hours
Albin O. Kuhn Library, 367
- Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Center for Well-Being, 116
To access, please go to the Office of Health Promotion in The Center for Well-Being Room 102.
- Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Elk’s (Terrace Apartments), near the laundry room
- Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Patapsco Hall, 163
- Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Please note that all of the UMBC community has access to all Mind Spa locations.
Massage Chair
Select an automated massage program or create a custom relaxation experience to put your mind and body at ease. Massage helps by soothing sore muscles, relieving stress, and prompting the body to release endorphins which relieve tension and improve mood.
Meditation Cushions/Zafus
We have created a space for meditation consisting of several meditation cushions, or Zafus. Instructions for proper use of the Zafus can be found in the Mind Spa.
Breathing/Mindfulness Exercises
We have designed the Mind Spa to be an ideal space for practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises. Feel free to come in and shut the door for these quiet experiences.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what is happening to you moment to moment. To practice mindfulness, one focuses on slowing down and bringing awareness to thoughts, feelings, and actions without attaching judgments to them.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
Researchers, clinicians, and spiritual practitioners define mindfulness as the nonjudgmental awareness of experiences in the present moment. Mindfulness meditation practice involves the cultivation of capacities for attention, self-awareness, and regulation of emotion. Research has linked increased capacity for mindfulness meditation with a reduction in the presence of the stress hormone, cortisol (Jacobs, et al., 2013). Mindfulness has also been linked to increased self-awareness (Carlson, 2013). Importantly for our students, mindfulness training has been linked to improved test scores and working memory (Mrazek et al., 2013). These are only a few studies, and interest and research about mindfulness meditation in the medical literature is growing rapidly.
How can I practice mindfulness in the Mind Spa?
Check out our “Practicing Mindfulness” worksheets in the Mind Spa.
If you have any questions please reach out to Marquia Coleman, mcoleman@umbc.edu.