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Gulls Pause by Taking a Pledge to Put Down Their Phones

Interfaith Chapel on campus
Spiritual Life at Endicott is asking students to take a pledge to pause for 10 minutes a day, sans technology.
9/10/2018

It’s no surprise that in today’s digital age, smartphones – along with tablets, computers, and TVs – are consuming the lives of both the young and old. Research shows that overuse of smartphones, and social media, can negatively affect social and emotional development, and impair our sleep patterns. However, it has been proven that those who put down their devices and meditate daily benefit in a number of ways, including: less stressed, eat healthier, less anxiety, smile more, improve relationships, and sleep better.

This academic year, Spiritual life at Endicott, is rolling out a new initiative that asks students to take a pledge to pause for 10 minutes a day – without a smartphone or screen nearby. By taking the pledge, students are acknowledging the importance of taking time for their own health.

Starting on Wednesday, September 12, Spiritual Life will offer 30-minute meditation/mindfulness classes in the on-campus Chapel so students can learn not only how to meditate, but how to get the most out of their 10-minute pause each day. The class schedule is as follows:

  • Wednesday, 9/12 at 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, 9/13 at 8 a.m.
  • Friday 9/14 at 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday 9/19 at 4 p.m.
  • Monday 9/24 at 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday 9/25 at 12 p.m.
  • Wednesday 9/26 at 8 p.m.
  • Thursday 9/27 at 12 p.m.

Interested in taking the pledge? Contact Chaplain Gail Cantor at gcantor@endicott.edu to sign up. Every student who signs up will receive a T-shirt and a bracelet.

Gulls Pause because pausing makes you more mindful. Being more mindful helps you to make better choices. Making better choices has you be more successful at what you do. Being more successful at what you do gives you more self-confidence. Having more self-confidence makes you more willing to make yourself known. Making yourself known becomes a platform for expressing yourself. Expressing yourself helps you to be more creative and contributive. Being creative and contributive is a satisfying way to live a life!