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12pm-3pm at the Main Quad |
Take a break and recharge with fun activities like inflatables, games, a cotton candy cart, and balloon art, while exploring campus and community resources to support your well-being.
Free flu shots will also be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Main Quad. All you need to bring is your university ID, no appointments needed!
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| | Boosting Wellness at Wellapalooza 🧩🌳 |
The Science of Play and Nature on Your Brain |
Play activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and oxytocin to boost mood, strengthen social bonds, and reduce stress. It also enhances executive function—improving problem-solving, decision-making, and cortisol regulation for better focus and calm. Time in nature amplifies these effects, supporting attention, memory, and emotional balance.
Remember, taking time for play and outdoor activities is not just fun, it's a vital component of maintaining a healthy and resilient mind. We look forward to seeing you at Wellapalooza!
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While it is exciting being on campus for the start of the fall quarter, transitions can be tough, and we can all use some support. It's important to prioritize your mental health. UChicago Student Wellness (SW) Mental Health Services (MHS) offers a range of resources and support to help you thrive.
SW MHS is offering confidential services at no cost:
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- Individual therapy & psychiatry services
- Let’s Talk: Informal, drop-in sessions with therapists for quick support
- 24/7 Support Line: (773) 702-3625 — speak to a counselor anytime
- Workshops & group therapy on topics like anxiety, grief, and coping skills
- Additional tele-mental health services via TimelyCare is available as an app you can download on your phone
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Benefits of Play, Creativity & the Outdoors |
Play and creative expression are powerful mental health tools. For example, Wellapalooza happenings today on the quad is all about reminding you that well-being doesn't have to be boring.
Below are some ideas for play:
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Outdoor activities like a walk on the Midway or Lakefront Trail can lower stress, boost mood, and improve concentration
- Creative hobbies (painting, journaling, music, crafting) help process emotions and reduce anxiety
- Play and movement (intramural sports, dance, or pickup games) improve social connection
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Play Challenge: Take 15 minutes between classes to get outside — even a short walk helps reset your brain.
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Carina Bauer, PsyD (she/her) |
Associate Director of Clinical Services
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Education:Â PsyD in Clinical Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology from Adler University; Internship at University of Idaho Counseling and Testing Center, Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Counseling and Psychological Health.
Personal interests:Â Spending time with family and friends, traveling, barre classes, and trying new restaurants in the city.
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| Yu-Yun Liu, PhD (she/her) |
Assistant Director of Access Management
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Education:Â BA in Chinese Literature, National Central University, Taiwan; MEd in School Counseling, Purdue University; PhD in Counseling Psychology, University of Louisville; Clinical Internship at University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center
Personal Interests:Â Eating, traveling, gardening, watching movies and musicals, and spending time with friends and family
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Hi! My name is Yelnura, I am an international student from Kazakhstan and a 2nd Year Master’s student at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. This year I also work as a Peer Health Advocate at Student Wellness!
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Time at the University of Chicago can be both captivating and challenging and I believe that time you spend with yourself or doing the activities that ground you back to your bigger personal self is as important as the academics. Last year I used a lot of the resources provided by Student Wellness just to ground myself and not forget about my personality outside of studying.
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I engaged with Meditation classes, yoga, and Growing Together dinners as well as the free contemporary dance classes offered by the Theater and Performance Studies Department. Even though this time could have been spent on studying, I feel that success comes from knowing yourself and not forgetting about who you are, that is the greatest orientation in space towards your goals. A good balance of working on your goals and a good time spent on exploring things that make you feel alive is what it takes in my opinion to maintain a healthy mental health. Thanks for reading this. 🙂
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Our goal is to share the real, unfiltered stories of UChicago students—their challenges, passions, and moments of growth. By highlighting the diverse experiences that make up our campus community, we hope to foster connection, reduce stigma around seeking support, and remind students that no one’s journey looks the same.
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| Yelnura Tynysbekova
Graduate Student at UChicago
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Discover Your Play Personality!Â
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Play boosts rest, strengthens connections, and helps fight burnout, but many adults forget how.
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Discover your unique play style and unlock more joy, focus, and energy in your day.🎉🎲
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| Creative Play is the Antidote to StressÂ
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Daily creative play—like dancing, storytelling, painting, or writing—has been scientifically proven to boost joy, relieve stress, and strengthen connections. Join Nina Meehan, award-winning director, playwright, and arts educator, as she shares how creative play can nurture innovation, connection, and well-being in our increasingly digital world.
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