Complementary Resources

Light Box Therapy

• Light therapy available for students, please call YSU student counseling services to reserve a light box therapy session. 

• Biofeedback

  Biofeedback Instructions (iom2)

  What is Biofeedback?

  Biofeedback is a form of treatment in which individuals are trained to use signals from their body as a way to improve their health.  Through biofeedback, individuals become aware of how their minds and bodies work together in response to stress and anxiety. This feedback is used to help individuals improve their overall self-regulation. The biofeedback device tracks Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which is a measure of the variation in time between heartbeats and is considered to be a strong indicator of your meditative state. Decades of research shows that a higher HRV correlates with an optimal, relaxed nervous system state, positive emotions, and improved health.

  How can it help you?

  According to the research, HRV biofeedback may, as part of a healthy lifestyle, help in the following ways:

  • Improve ability to handle adversity or stressful situations
  • Decrease anxiety (including test, public speaking, performance anxiety, etc.)
  • Reduce depression
  • Improve responses to anger-inducing stimuli
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Reduce pain
  • Improve gastrointestinal disorder symptoms
  • Improve mood and psychological well-being
  • Help fine-tune skills for optimal sports performance
  • Reinforce a sense of balance (i.e. it helps the body to correct itself).
  • Motivates individuals to take a more active role in their personal healthcare.

  
  Note: Biofeedback as a method for self-regulation can be a very effective tool for dealing with stress, but it is seldom adequate by itself for treating various forms of anxiety. Typically, working with a counselor to modify patterns of thought and behavior is needed and sometimes medication as well.

  Precautions

   Students may want to check with their doctor or mental health professional before using the iom2 device if they have any of the following:

  • Disorders involving a severe, unstable autonomic nervous system or endocrine or metabolic functions (e.g., diabetes)
  • Severe memory, attention or neurological conditions (e.g., seizures)
  • Severe or unstable medical illness, including a heart condition, hypertension, or asthma
  • Significant psychological disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, mania, major depression, paranoia, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Headaches

  Side Effects

  The most common side effects of biofeedback training are:

  • Drowsiness
  • Mild light headedness
  • Tingling of the hands and feet.

  What is our biofeedback program?

  You will use Unyte for your biofeedback program. Unyte is unlike any other relaxation or stress-management program. With a biofeedback device known as the iom2, your breathing and heart rate will guide your practice.

  With a simple ear clip, the iom2 measures your body's Heart Rate Variability (HRV) to determine your resonance score. The iom2 is paired with Journeys software to help you gain a greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical state. The Journeys software helps to guide you through your meditations into a deeper state of relaxation.

  What are journeys?

  What makes Unyte so effective is their unique combination of the iom2 and their interactive programs - called Journeys.

  Together, the Journeys guide you through a step-by-step relaxation training in interactive environments, providing real-time feedback (resonance score) so you can evaluate where you are and where you need to go.

  The Journeys can be accessed on computers as well as mobile devices and tablets.

  What is a resonance score and why is it important?

  Unyte using the iom2 device helps you learn how to effectively control your HRV using a “Resonance Score”. Resonance is a well-known phenomenon in physics. It is when a vibrating system causes another nearby system to begin vibrating with even greater amplitude, enhancing the effect. Unyte uses this concept of resonance as follows: By measuring the user’s heart rate, Unyte can calculate HRV. These times between heartbeats generally follow a sinusoidal cycle, which is a smooth, periodic curve resembling a wave. Your respiration pattern also follows a similar cycle, increasing with each inhale and decreasing with each exhale. The closer these cycles match, the higher your resonance score. Using the breathing indicator, you can learn to align your respiration cycle with that of your heart beat cycle. This state of matching cycles is associated with a relaxed nervous system and many health benefits.

  Unyte's Journeys include a customizable breathing indicator that guides you to a more optimum breathing rate. Your breathing rate influences your HRV and Resonance score, which is clearly displayed in real-time.

  Unyte’s Resonance score ranges from 1 to 100% and is a direct reflection of the magnitude of your HRV. The higher your HRV, and the more relaxed you are, the higher your resulting resonance score. As your score improves, the game progresses via clear visual and audio prompts that show your body is responding. **Try using diaphragmatic breathing to begin improving your resonance score.

  

   

  **Diaphragmatic breathing, or “belly breathing,” involves fully engaging the stomach, abdominal muscles, and diaphragm when breathing. This means actively pulling the diaphragm down with each inward breath. In this way, diaphragmatic breathing helps the lungs fill more efficiently.

   

   

  
  To set up your Unyte Account:

  1. Students will receive an email link (in your YSU email) from Unyte to create an account (after talking with the Unyte Coordinator). Follow the link in the email to set up your account.
  2.  Once your account is set up you will need to download the journeys onto your electronic device (phone, tablet, IPad, or computer). The journeys have been listed below. When searching for the journeys, if you are using google play or the app store on an apple device, search the name of the journey and the word unyte, look for the symbol next to the names listed below. It is suggested that your start with the Body Scan Mediation journey.

  To pair your iom 2:

  1. Once your journey is downloaded you will press the button on the side of the iom2 device to begin. If you are using a computer you will use the cord to connect it to your computer. If you are using any other device you will press the button a second time to connect it to your device via Bluetooth. It will say when it is connected.
  2. Once you have connected your electronic device to the iom2 device you will start a journey and place the sensor clip onto your ear lobe. When you successfully place the sensor the iom2 device will say that it is reading data. If the sensor is not placed correctly the iom2 device will ask you to adjust the sensor.

  

                                                                         
  Downloading a Journey onto a computer:

  How do I download a Journey?
  All available Journeys are ready for download through the Unyte dashboard under the "Downloads" tab found at the top of the page.

  To begin downloading the installation file for a Journey, click the "Download" link found on the tile of each Journey.

  The most appropriate download for your system will automatically be selected and downloaded. If you would prefer to access a download file for a different system, select it at the bottom of the page under "Downloading journeys for:".

  Depending on your browser the downloaded file will be presented in different ways.

  • CHROME - Downloads will appear across the bottom of the browser
  • FIREFOX - Downloads can be found by clicking the Downloads button (down arrow) in the toolbar.
  • SAFARI - Downloads will appear in your downloads folder
  • MICROSOFT EDGE - A notification will appear across the bottom of the browser

  Installing a Journey
  Once downloaded, it's time to install the Journey!

  After locating the downloaded installation file, select and run the file.

  This will launch the installation wizard that will guide you through the process. Follow the on-screen instructions.

  Launching a Journey
  Once installed, you are now able to launch your Journey!

  The newly installed Journey will be available along with your other installed applications.

   

  Unyte Journeys
   

  Body Scan Meditation by Unyte (Try first)
  Select your preferred avatar, scenery, music, and length of time and be guided through an immersive body scan meditation by the Zen Master.
   
  Mindfulness Meditation
  This nine-step guided meditation program features the work of Tara Brach, Ph.D., and focused on mindfulness. As you progress through each step you’ll find yourself achieving    greater self-awareness and developing a deeper sense of calm.

  Zen Journey
  Immerse yourself in the teachings of Zen Master Nissim Amon as you learn the history of the Buddha and take part in interactive guided mediations with real-time feedback. As you progress through the five levels, you will not only gain valuable insight, but you will also reach the ultimate goal of obtaining your black robe. You will not be able to advance until the Zen Master is satisfied you are making suitable progress towards the next robe so you will not be able to just listen and be passive.
   
  Escapes
  Enjoy 12 peaceful and engaging biofeedback events to promote your mind-body connection and increase your relaxation. Escapes combines two titles into one amazing program. The classics include breathing tree, yoga passage, gentle rain, golden horn, humble rabbit, and peaceful fire. Heartscapes includes resonance flow, divine moons, gentle snow, helping hand, night wolf, and call of the wild.
   
  Five Elements
  Engage in five events that take you through an immersive journey based on the classical elements of the universe. Using breathing and relaxation techniques with integrated biofeedback, we’ll guide you on a meditative, mindfulness journey through the five elements, giving you the opportunity to balance them in this world and in turn, within yourself.

  Relaxing Rhythms
  Gives you the art and science of balanced living. This app contains 3 different areas. The first is guided training, which contains the 15 steps. Each of these steps includes an inspirational piece, two guided meditations and a practice event. The second area is self-exploration, where you can listen to more guided meditations. Last the graph is also included, where you can watch your physiological states being tracked in real time.
   
  Villa Serena
  Restore Villa Serena. Restore your peace of mind. Much like our own minds, villa serena was once a stunningly beautiful and peaceful retreat with a sparkling pool of rainwater where visitors could relax, refresh, and recover from the worries and stresses of everyday life. However, just like our own minds, over the years, what made it peaceful and serene has been neglected and forgotten, and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

  When you first visit villa serena you’ll notice there is no one present in this enclosed space, away from the distractions of the outside world. You are alone, challenging you to be present with yourself. No mentor. No guidance. Just you and your mind, breath, and your thoughts. Your mind will race, thoughts will come, but you’ll find calm in the gaps between the thoughts.

  Repair and restore everything from floors to walls. The power of your breath and calm is your toolset. Once the repairs are done, relax to summon the rain. After filling the pool, a glorious start night appears.

  Relaxing Rhythms 2
  In this ten-step program you will be taken through three parts-an introduction, guided meditation, and practice event. Going through the program, and following the breathing indication, you will learn to control your breath to promote a sense of calm and wellbeing.

  **Tip: By clicking anywhere on the guide bar you can hide all values. Clicking the guide bar again will re-enable them. This may be helpful if you find yourself too focused on the resonance score causing distraction from your breathing and relaxation.

   

  Questions or issues with Unyte:  Go to Unyte Help Center

  To contact Unyte : email: support@unyte.com

  phone: 1-866-594-9453 (option 2)
   

  FAQ

  1. Where do I start? There are so many options!
     1. Unyte recommends you start with the Body Scan Meditation or Relaxing Rhythms 2.
        i. BODY SCAN MEDITATION - A wonderful place to start. A great introductory Journey; Body Scan helps you develop a mindful awareness of your bodily sensations. Select your preferred avatar, scenery, music and length of time and be guided through an immersive body scan meditation by Zen Master Nissim Amon.
        ii. RELAXING RHYTHMS 2 - A 10-step program containing a combination of guided meditations and interactive biofeedback events. Each step contains three sections that can be explored in sequence or on demand. First, an introduction to the theme of the step, followed by a guided meditation from a renowned master. At the completion of each step, you will use your breath to control your emotions and conquer different challenges in nine different interactive events.
  2. My schedule is busy…how do you recommend I integrate this into my schedule?
     1. Some of the journeys you can choose the time and most of the journeys have sections that are less than 10 minutes to complete.
  3.  I’m getting too distracted by only looking at my resonance score. Any tips?
     1. By clicking anywhere on the guide bar you can hide all values. Clicking the guide bar again will re-enable them. This may be helpful if you find yourself too focused on the resonance score causing distraction from your breathing and relaxation.
  4. What can I do to help with my anxiety if I am placed on the wait list for the iom2?
     1. Feel free to call the YSU Student Counseling Services to set up an appointment with one of our staff counselors! (330) 941-3737
  5. What can I do to continue my mindfulness journey after checking out the iom2?
     1. Try one of the mindfulness apps we have listed on our website.
        i.   Headspace
        ii.  Stop, Breathe, & Think
        iii. Calm

         

• Light Therapy

  Lightbox

  What is lightbox therapy?

  • Light box therapy is a device that gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.
  • Natural outdoor light affects the chemical in the brain that promote positive mood and restful sleep.
  • Using light box therapy may also help to decrease feelings of sadness and anxiety that people experience during seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
  • Student can reserve space in our light box therapy room for 20-30 minutes where they can sit and relax reading a book or listening to music.
  • For more information please visit the Mayo Clinic Light Therapy webpage

  Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (a type of depression that an estimated 6.8% of the U.S. population struggle with) and certain other conditions by exposure to artificial light.
   
  During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.

  Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders, and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.

Nap Pod

What is it?

• Our nap pod is a large recliner meant to offer people a quiet, comfortable, private space they need to reset their brain and body during their busy work/school day.
• Our version of a nap pod also provides a timer for a 10–20-minute session. Speakers for calming music, and a large dome that provides privacy are also special feature included in our nap pod.

How does it help your mental health?

• Studies indicate a nap pod experience can help improve sleep, cognitive functioning, concentration, mood, decision making, and energy levels.
• Napping may also help decrease stress and improve alertness.
• Studies have also found napping may decrease feelings such as frustration and impulsiveness.

Salt Cabin

What is a salt cabin?

• A man-made “salt cabin” is a private space where microscopic particles of Himalayan salt are released into the air during a 10-minute session.

What are the benefits?

• A salt cabin session may help with stress reduction by creating a meditative environment.
• Negative ions released by the salt have been shown to help the body release more serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps create feelings of happiness.

Sensory Room

What is a sensory room?

• A sensory room is a specially designed space that aims to provide a therapeutic environment for individuals who experience difficulty with sensory processing issues or emotional regulation.

• Counselors may use the sensory room to facilitate various therapeutic interventions, including relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and/or emotional regulation strategies. Please inquire with your therapist if you would like a session in the sensory room.