WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY
PATHFIT 1
MIND & MOTION: A SELF-ADVOCACY FOR WELLNESS AND BALANCE
A Concept Paper
Presented to:
Prof. Caryl Canson
Faculty-In-Charge, Movement Competency Training
West Visayas State University
Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City
Submitted by:
Anthony July Gomez
BSEd Science 1C
October 2025
Introduction
In today’s generation, college students experience constant pressure to perform
academically while balancing social and personal responsibilities. Many struggle to find
time to care for their physical and emotional well-being. As a student, I have also
experienced mental exhaustion and stress that come from overwhelming workloads and
expectations. There are days when it feels difficult to focus or even take a break to
breathe. These moments made me realize the importance of self-advocacy — standing
up for my own wellness by taking time to rest, move, and reflect.
This concept paper introduces 'Mind & Motion: A Self-Advocacy for Wellness and
Balance,' an advocacy that encourages students like me to care for our mental and
emotional health through self-awareness, self-care, and movement. It aims to remind
students that true success comes not only from academic excellence but also from
maintaining balance, peace, and self-compassion.
Objectives
1. To promote self-advocacy as a means to maintain emotional and mental wellness
among college students.
2. To encourage the practice of mindfulness and physical activities such as stretching,
dancing, or breathing exercises.
3. To raise awareness about the importance of balancing academic responsibilities and
personal well-being.
4. To empower students to take care of themselves and prioritize their mental health.
Approach and Methods
For this advocacy, I plan to integrate simple yet meaningful actions that promote
wellness and self-care. When academic stress becomes overwhelming, I take a moment
to stretch, breathe deeply, or listen to music to calm my mind. I also write reflections in
my journal to process my emotions and monitor my progress. As a dancer, I use
movement as a way to express emotions, release tension, and reconnect with my body.
Social media can also play a positive role. By sharing short motivational posts or
wellness reminders, I can inspire others to take small steps toward balance. According
to Browning et al. (2021), mindfulness and physical activity significantly improve
concentration and emotional regulation. Practicing these daily can transform the way
students handle pressure and mental fatigue.
Expected Outcomes
Through this advocacy, I expect to develop healthier coping habits and a deeper
awareness of my emotional needs.
Students who engage with this advocacy will be more mindful and confident in
prioritizing their well-being.
A positive and supportive academic environment will emerge where mental wellness is
valued as much as performance.
Evaluation
To evaluate this advocacy, I will record my reflections in a wellness journal, noting my
emotional state and stress levels each week. I will observe how activities such as
dancing, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices affect my focus and motivation.
Feedback from classmates who participate in the sessions or follow my wellness posts
will also help assess the impact of this advocacy.
Conclusion
This advocacy is a personal commitment to care for myself and to inspire others to do
the same. 'Mind & Motion: A Self-Advocacy for Wellness and Balance' is about finding
peace through small, intentional actions — moving, breathing, and being kind to oneself.
By learning to advocate for my own well-being, I aim to create a ripple effect that
encourages others to value self-care. Through this journey, I believe that balance is not
something to be achieved overnight, but a practice to be nurtured every day.
References
Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Sharaievska, I., Rigolon, A., McAnirlin, O.,
Mullenbach, L., ... & Alvarez, H. O. (2021). Psychological impacts from COVID-19
among university students: Risk factors across seven states in the United States.
PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0245327. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245327
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2022). Mental health by the numbers.
Retrieved from https://www.nami.org
Test, D. W., Fowler, C. H., Wood, W. M., Brewer, D. M., & Eddy, S. (2005). A conceptual
framework of self-advocacy for students with disabilities. Remedial and Special
Education, 26(1), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325050260010601
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Promoting mental health: Concepts,
emerging evidence, practice. Geneva: World Health Organization.
