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| Stressbuster Tip: Write Down Positive Thoughts
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Stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings often stick in our brains longer than positive ones. This is largely evolutionary, as remembering dangerous or painful experiences helped our ancestors survive, but this bias isn’t nearly as helpful today. To help counteract this, we can refocus on the positive by writing down our happy thoughts. A study found that spending just 20 minutes a day jotting down positive experiences and thoughts may be enough to decrease stress levels. Journaling in this way can reinforce positive feelings in our brains, helping balance out our tendencies towards negativity. Check out these great positive thinking journal prompts for some inspiration!
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| Uncommon Stress Relief: Home Improvement Tasks
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Fixing up the home can seem like a stressful task, but there are a variety of relatively easy and affordable changes you can make in your home to reduce stress levels for yourself and those who may share your living space. Doing a home improvement project can help boost your mood, as the right projects can reduce your stress thanks to a better quality of life and a sense of accomplishment. Things like increasing natural light, decluttering, or creating a quiet zone for yourself can make a big difference in your daily life. Check out this list of simple home improvements that can help you destress right in your living space.
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Choose between some of of your favorite snacks to find out which color describes you best with this week's fun study break quiz.
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Click the icons below to follow the social media accounts of UChicago Student Wellness.
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~Second Week Programming & Updates~
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Wellness Coaching
An opportunity for students to examine their strengths with a wellness coach to navigate transitions and achieve desired changes they’d like to make in their lives. Students interested in individual coaching may sign up here. More details can be found on our website. To schedule an initial appointment, students should log into the my.WellnessPortal to schedule their initial session. They will then receive a confirmation email with further instructions. If you have any questions, contact Layla Matariyeh at laysheh@uchicago.edu.
Restorative Yoga
Join us for this accessible and approachable Restorative Yoga class that will help ease tension and melt your worries away. Using props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets, you will relax into several Restorative Yoga postures that are held for several minutes at time. We use mindful breathing and meditation techniques that are sure to leave you calmer and more grounded than when you walked in the door. Register here for our Spring Quarter classes.
Mental Health in Pop Culture
April 20th at 5:30pm in the McCormick Tribune Lounge
Join Mind Over Matter as we break down the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to mental health in popular culture. We’ll be discussing media ranging from Euphoria to Kanye songs to Inside Out, and everything in between. All are welcome! Seen a mental health portrayal lately you'd love to discuss? Bring it in for the group to examine!
BodyTalk Presents: Doodles and Donuts
South Lounge in Reynold’s Club, April 14th, 6-7 pm
Join the BodyTalk PHA’s for donuts, prompted doodles, and discussion about art and self-image. Come as you are, materials will be provided!
Let's Talk
Let’s Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness. No appointment is necessary. In-person and virtual sessions will be held throughout Spring Quarter. Visit the Let's Talk page for more information.
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Buddy Up
Part of the Better Together initiative, Buddy Up offers graduate and professional students the opportunity to join a network of peers wanting to meet and connect with students across campus. Every two weeks students will be paired with a new buddy. Students may register here or email Carolyn Banner at cbanner@uchicago.edu with questions.
Walking Buddies
If you ever want a buddy to walk or run with, or to meet new people and feel more connected to your community, you're not alone! Walking Buddies offers students the opportunity to connect with other students from their neighborhood who are interested in walking or running for fun, or walking with someone to and/or from campus. Open to all current undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, this program will bolster the UChicago community and will help you to meet your neighbors and connect you with a walking or running buddy who has similar goals. Complete this form to sign up, or contact Health Promotion Coordinator Carolyn Banner if you have questions.
Apply to Be a Peer Health Advocate (PHA)
Application Deadline is April 17, 2022
Are you passionate about improving the lives of UChicago students? Are you interested in putting on events and initiatives to support students’ health and wellbeing? If so, apply to be a Peer Health Advocate (PHA)! There are 3 PHA groups: Body Talk focuses on body perception, InTouch focuses on sexual health and healthy relationships, and Mind Over Matter focuses on mental health. Apply by completing this short application in its entirety by April 17, 2022. Questions about the program? Learn more here or contact Emily Schulze (eschulze@uchicago.edu).
Butterfly Support Group
Biweekly meetings
This in-person drop-in group is a confidential space for students who would like support and insight on dealing with stressors surrounding immigration policy and changes that may impact them or their families. There will be interactive and reflection activities to generate conversations, connection, and learning. Contact knghiem@uchicago.edu for location and information on how to join.
GenderQ
Wednesdays, 7:00pm CT
GenderQ is a student-led group out of LGBTQ+ Student life designed to hold space for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and gender-questioning students at UChicago. Open to both grads and undergrads, we meet weekly to discuss the joys and challenges of being trans, both on campus and in our communities at large. More than that, though, GenderQ exists as a means of strengthening the trans+ community at UChicago and creating a space where people can discover and be themselves. Meeting attendance is optional and not at all binding. Contact gender_q@lists.uchicago.edu to learn more.
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Refresh Sleep
Registration closes April 10th
A 7-week email program that aims to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to achieve more restful nights. Refresh Sleep program materials include information about the physiology of sleep, sleep hygiene, relaxation, mindfulness, cognitive strategies, and more. To register, complete this form in its entirety by April 10, 2022. If you have any questions, contact Bridget Marley at bmarley@uchicago.edu.
Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College (and Graduate) Students (BASICS)
A program for students who want to examine their substance use behaviors in a non-judgmental environment. Interested students may schedule a virtual appointment here. Questions? Please contact Elizabeth Webb at mewebb@uchicago.edu.
Student Recovery Group
The mission of the University of Chicago Student Recovery Group is to provide fellowship and support for University of Chicago students who are in recovery or exploring sobriety. Spring Quarter meetings will be held on Mondays from 5:30 - 6:30pm CT and Fridays from 12:30 - 1:30 pm CT in the UChicago Student Wellness Center. You can also subscribe to our Recovery Listserv. If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to Elizabeth Webb at mewebb@uchicago.edu or Joseph Asbury at joseph.asbury@uchospitals.edu.
Spring 2022 FitChicago Class Offerings
Classes will be posted on our website and online on the FitChicago Facebook page in one of three formats - Facebook Live, Pre-recorded Video and Written Content from January 10th through March 19th. Zumba classes can be accessed via Zin Studio. See the Spring 2022 Schedule and class offerings here.
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20 Minutes Still Meditation
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00-8:20am CT
Still the mind and body, open the heart, join us in Bond Chapel a few minutes before 8am/2pm. No experience necessary, open to those of all spiritual backgrounds. Click here to view the full list of Spiritual Life events.
Gentle Yoga
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm CT in Bond Chapel
A slow, meditative yoga class for all, whether you have experience with yoga or want to try it out for the first time. This class is designed for unwinding at the end of the day, with special attention to moving the body in ways that combat the negative effects of long periods of sitting and computer use. Wear any comfortable clothing that you can move in. A yoga mat is recommended. Click here to view the full list of Spiritual Life events.
Morning Yoga
Wednesdays 8:00-8:25am CT, virtual living room at spirit.uchicago.edu
Wake up and start the day with this short yoga practice for all levels. Wear any comfortable clothing that you can move in. A yoga mat is recommended. Click here to view the full list of Spiritual Life events.
Yin Yoga
Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm CT, virtual living room at spirit.uchicago.edu
A slow and restorative yoga class in which each pose is held for 3-5 minutes, with the aim of relaxing mind and body. People of all levels of experience with yoga are welcome. Wear any comfortable clothing that you can move in. If you don't have a yoga mat, a rug or folded blanket on the floor are good substitutes. Bring any pillows or blankets you have on hand to help make your poses more comfortable.
sit.breathe.talk
Mindfulness Ambassador Program
A 30-minute practice and conversation for those who wish to begin or deepen their meditation practice and share learned skills with others. Through being present and connecting through conversation, we learn to bring gentleness, mindfulness and openness into daily life. Sessions can be offered upon request at flexible time options. Email spirit@uchicago.edu for more information or to schedule a time.
Share With the Healing Archive
In the midst of the pandemic, and any stress, isolation, loneliness, grief, and much more that you may be experiencing, what do you find most healing right now? Acknowledging and sharing our experience of pain and healing can help us to feel the beauty, tenderness and freedom of our heart, and to know that we are not alone. Healing Archive is a virtual space to connect and share our experience of pain and healing. You can send us a video, or an image and a caption that represents your experience to spirit@uchicago.edu. We will compile all submissions to share as a virtual archive on our webpage and social media outlets. Curious about what we already have? View the Healing Archive HERE.
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