Elaine Penn

College can be overwhelming and exhausting. Between academic, extracurricular, social, volunteer and work obligations, many students feel stuck in fast forward. Each day is like a race against time, cramming more and more into less and less time. From fast food to Facebook, it’s as if everything is flying at 100 miles per hour. Somewhere, we lose sight of the damage this jet set lifestyle has on us.

For college students, depression and anxiety are on the rise, while creativity, cognitive function and overall health are on the decline. In Don’t Run On Empty, Elaine appeals to students to take responsibility for the type of lives they want to lead, and make an effort to find more balance and reduce stress; intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Leading the students through relaxation exercises, Elaine shows that one of the best ways to do this is by “massaging the brain” everyday with techniques such as focused breathing, relaxation and awareness. Elaine makes the point that being more balanced does not require a major change in your life. Sometimes it’s as simple as appreciating life instead of always rushing through it. In the end, more balance and less stress leads to improved health, increased learning, enhanced creativity, better relationships and greater happiness in life.