University Park, Pa. – Health Promotion and Wellness reminds students of its spring semester program designed to support students’ physical and mental wellness.
“With midterms coming up, student stress can be on the rise. Many of these programs are focused on stress management,” said Erin Rauper, assistant director of health promotion and wellness. “They are hands-on activities for students to practice strategies to reduce stress and anxiety and build a sense of community.”
Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW), the Division of Student Affairs, aims to increase student awareness and knowledge of health and wellness issues, promote healthy behaviors, provide health education, and support a healthy Penn State community. It offers a variety of programs throughout the week, including yoga and meditation, Mindful Mondays, Mindful Meditation and Wellness Wednesdays. Later in the spring semester, HPW offers Shirin-yoku, the Japanese “forest bath.”
Yoga and meditation It will be held on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 and Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:00 at 118 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. No registration is required, but a limited number of mats and blocks are available. All skill levels welcome. Sessions will be held until April 27.
Students who cannot attend in person are encouraged to watch the recorded yoga and meditation classes from previous semesters, which may be available. On the Healthy Penn State blog.
Thoughtful Monday It is an optimized interactive program. HealthWorks Peer tutors where students can learn stress reduction strategies. These sessions take place from noon to 12:45pm on Mondays in 124 Findlay Commons. Sessions are limited to 15 participants. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch. These sessions will be offered through April 17th.
Careful meditation Sessions are held on Mondays from 3 to 3:45 in the Spiritual Center at 118 Pasquerilla. This weekly meditation session introduces students to basic meditation practices and techniques. Each session includes a guided meditation and brief discussion on topics such as managing stress, healing relationships, and finding meaning. No previous meditation experience is required.
Good Wednesday Activities focused on student safety will be held throughout the inner building on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Peer tutors man the arrival desks in the lobby of the IM building.
Shinrin-yoku It is a guided walk through the forest where participants do various activities that help them connect with nature.
Walks will be held from 4 to 5:15 and 5:30 to 6:45 pm on Wednesdays beginning March 15. Registration may be completed. Online form, required. Each session is limited to 15 participants.
HPW offers free Health services When students interact with a HealthWorks peer educator, they discuss health-related topics, including sexual health; Nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress. Appointments are held in the Wellness Suite, 20 IM Building, and can be scheduled through myUHS.
Students are invited to use the recreation room located in the Wellness Suite, 20 IM Building. Open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, the space features biofeedback software, coloring pages and books, light therapy boxes, a Zen garden, a Buddha board and relaxing soundtracks.
For more information about safety programming, students can visit HPW events and programs web page Students are encouraged to follow @studentwellnesspsu on Facebook and Instagram. Students can contact HPW by emailing promotinghealth@psu.edu or calling 814-863-0461.