The Health & Counseling Center is hosting an event for students to kick back and relax with food and other activities before final exams.
The “Decompress & Stress Less” event is intended to help students destress while they prepare for finals. It will be held Tuesday outside the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it is free to all students, faculty and staff.
Jamy Dahle, health and counseling outreach coordinator, said the event is to end the semester and prepare for finals week.
“[The event] is designed to help reduce stress as well as provide tips and resources to assist with continued stress reduction [and also help] students reach peak performance and productivity,” Dahle said. “Maximum stress creates decreased performance.”
Dahle said the event is funded by the Health & Counseling Center, and Yeti Ice, Zion Massage and The Skin Institute School of Esthetics & Massage have also donated time and services. Free snow cones, yoga classes, stress reduction pamphlets, DIY water beads and stress relief putty will be provided.
“Research has shown Yoga helps with stress anxiety and depression,” said Jennifer Tholen, DLS tutor and yoga instructor. “It brings participants to the present moment through focused attention on the breathe and postures.”
Tholen said its important to find a healthy outlet and way to manage the many emotions that come with college life. She said yoga can help someone honor themselves, life and others.
“College life can be crazy, balancing school, work and social life,” Tholen said. “It can be especially stressful if students are away from home and on their own for the first time.”
Marcus Lindsey, a freshman psychology major from Las Vegas, said stress relief is important for students because it will help them relax and not think about school or other stress for a few minutes.
“At this time of year students have to hurry and tie loose ends as well as study for upcoming exams,” Lindsey said. “Students stress about grades, scholarships and the summer.”
Lindsey said students will notice a difference in themselves after they destress. He said they will be able to relax more and clear their minds.
Finals week starts on Friday, with a reading day on Thursday. For more information on this event, contact Dahle at 652-7756.