#WesternCares events encourage students to relax, de-stress and help each other

Western Today staff

June 2, 2014

Finals are approaching, and this is a busy -- and often quite difficult -- time for students.

That's why we're holding a #WesternCares campaign all week to encourage students to relax and help others. We're all in this together, and we can get through this week with each other's help.

A preliminary list of #WesternCares events is below. If you know of something that's missing, or if you want to create a new event, let us know!

Also, if you see a #WesternCares card this week, write on it what someone has done for you. Then, do something nice for someone else and hand them the card. When the cards are finished, please drop them into campus mail or deliver them to any department office for mailing.

When posting about something you've done or received to social media, don't forget to tag the post with #WesternCares to encourage and inspire others. Let's see how much help we can offer others in just one week.

Monday, June 2:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.
  • Noon, Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities:

Think back to a time in your life, either recent or distant, that brought you joy, and write a short paragraph about what it was and how it made you feel.

Pair up with another student and take turns drawing freely on one piece of paper. Each will have thirty seconds to add to the drawing, turning it into whatever you are feeling and then switch places to see what you end up with.

  • 4 p.m., AW302: Play with Play-Doh and relax at the WWU Psychology Club meeting.

Tuesday, June 3:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.
  • Noon, Wilson Library Room 265: Think back to a time in your life, either recent or distant, that brought you joy, and write a short paragraph about what it was and how it made you feel.
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities:

Back drawing game and self massage.

Basic yoga.

Drawing to music.

Abstract responsive drawing to music.

Guided Imagery - have people close their eyes and relax and try to imagine a relaxing scene and activity (such as being on the beach and going on a canoe ride) in detail. Imagine how each thing feels/looks/smells.

Wednesday, June 4:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.
  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wilson Library Learning Commons: Western's Office of Sustainability will hold a drop-in knitting circle, with tea and cookies, for all who need a little meditative and restorative time before finals. An artist will be there with her process knitting project, and yarn and needles will be available for people to use if they want to, to craft in company. Studies show that handwork aids memory, lowers blood pressure and has a calming effect.
  • Noon, Fisher Fountain in Red Square: Meet for a short stress-relieving jog. It is National Running Day, after all.
  • Noon to 12:45 p.m., Old Main Room 540: "Just Relaxation" stress management workshop from the WWU Counseling Center.
  • Noon to 2 p.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities: 

Back drawing game and self massage.

Basic yoga.

Drawing to music.

Abstract responsive drawing to music.

  • 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m., Viking Union Room 460: Coping skills workshop with the WWU Counseling Center on the topic of managing emotional distress.
  • 3 p.m., Old Main Lawn: Student Cory Briar will play background studying music on his mandolin.
  • 4 p.m., Viking Union Multipurpose Room: Free yoga session with the WWU Outdoor Center.

Thursday, June 5:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.
  •  
  • 11 a.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities:

Take a nap!

enjoy white-noise music and a shoulder massage train.

Stretch by yourself or with a yoga block and back roller.

  • Noon, Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities: 

Take a nap!

enjoy white-noise music and a shoulder massage train.

Stretch by yourself or with a yoga block and back roller.

Pair up with another student and take turns drawing freely on one piece of paper. Each will have thirty seconds to add to the drawing, turning it into whatever you are feeling and then switch places to see what you end up with.

  • 1 p.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities: 

Pair up with another student and take turns drawing freely on one piece of paper. Each will have thirty seconds to add to the drawing, turning it into whatever you are feeling and then switch places to see what you end up with.

Back drawing game and self massage.

Basic yoga.

Drawing to music.

Abstract responsive drawing to music.

Guided Imagery - have people close their eyes and relax and try to imagine a relaxing scene and activity (such as being on the beach and going on a canoe ride) in detail. Imagine how each thing feels/looks/smells.

  • 2 p.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities: 

Back drawing game and self massage.

Basic yoga.

Drawing to music.

Abstract responsive drawing to music.

Guided Imagery - have people close their eyes and relax and try to imagine a relaxing scene and activity (such as being on the beach and going on a canoe ride) in detail. Imagine how each thing feels/looks/smells.

  • 3 p.m., Wilson Library Room 265: Relax and take a break from studying with your choice of activities: 

Pair up with another student and take turns drawing freely on one piece of paper. Each will have thirty seconds to add to the drawing, turning it into whatever you are feeling and then switch places to see what you end up with.

 

Friday, June 2:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.

 

Saturday, June 3

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.

 

Sunday, June 4:

  • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Western Libraries Skybridge, north end: Pet a dog or cat and feel your stress melt away.

All week:

  • Have a research question? Visit http://askus.library.wwu.edu/ to get help from Western Libraries experts.
  • Pick up free sunglasses and backpacks in the WWU Outdoor Center on the Viking Union ground floor.