This Saturday, April 22, folks from all around the world will celebrate Earth Day! Earth Day is an annual celebration and a day to recommit to protecting health and the environment.

Did you know that Environmental Wellbeing is one of the seven facets of wellbeing? It is defined as understanding how your surroundings and community may impact your overall wellbeing and establishing a supportive environment. It can sometimes be daunting to think of all the impacts of the environment, but it is important to know that what surrounds your each day in the spaces that you live, learn, and play can have a big impact on your overall health and wellbeing. 

Here are some steps that you can take to enhance your environmental wellbeing: 
- Surround yourself with people and things that you find positive and inspiring
- Participate in your community and volunteer (check the University Community Service Center for opportunities)
- Care about your personal space and maintain a comfortable and healthy working and living space
- Invest in sustainable fashion
- Minimize use of single-use plastics
- Start or join a community garden
- Purchase foods from local farmers (check out these initiatives from UChicago Dining)
- Visit a local, state, or national park (check out Jackson Park or the Indiana Dunes)
- Use your voting power to support environmental causes
- Participate in an Earth Day celebration!

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day this year, check out this list of events hosted by the University Community Service Center. They are partnering with Jackson Park Advisory Council for an Earth Day of Service on Saturday, April 22 starting at 10am. 

For this week's study break quiz, see if you can pass this genius-level trivia quiz!

Take 10 is an initiative intended to encourage all members of the UChicago community to rest and connect with others. Join us to participate in Take 10 events from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM across campus on odd-week Thursdays this quarter! We hope you drop by and take 10! 

Restorative yoga classes at UChicago Student Wellness will help ease tension and melt your worries away. Using props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets, you will relax into postures that are held for several minutes at a 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. Join us at the Student Wellness Center on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM. 

20 Minute Still sessions allow you to take a moment to pause and join the Office of Spiritual Life for twenty minutes of facilitated meditation to still the mind. Twenty Minutes Still takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00-8:20am in Bond Chapel.

Yoga Classes from Spiritual Life are offered in both a virtual and in-person modalities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during Winter Quarter. Check out the most updated yoga offerings here. 

Wellness Coaching allows students to examine their strengths with a wellness coach to navigate transitions and achieve desired changes they’d like to make in their lives. Interested students may schedule a 90-minute session with a Student Wellness coach or a 30-minute session with a TimelyCare wellness coach. Visit this page for more information.

Let's Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness. No appointment is necessary. In-person sessions are held throughout Autumn Quarter on Mondays and Fridays. Let's Talk has more information.

Buddy Up offers graduate and professional students the opportunity to join a network of peers wanting to meet with students across campus. Students are paired up with a new buddy every two weeks. Students may register here or email Carolyn Banner at cbanner@uchicago.edu with questions.

Food Security Resources provide short-term support for students experiencing difficulties with food access. Please reach out if you or someone you know is worried about running out of food, skipping meals, etc. Graduate and Professional Students can contact Student Support Service studentsupport@uchicago.edu, and Undergraduate Students can contact the Center for College Student Success ccss@uchicago.edu. You can also apply for grocery vouchers here.

FitChicago offers an array of fitness opportunities for you seven days a week. Everything from foam roller classes to Zumba! Check out the Winter Quarter class offerings and schedule here.