By Sarah Herring
The final stretch of the semester can take a toll on student’s well-being. Stonehill’s Wellness Week allows for students to get the break they deserve.
The Health and Wellness office and SGA’s Health and Wellness Committee joined to create a variety of activities from March 27 to March 31 for self-care, mindfulness, connection, kindness and fun for students.
Lydia Hogan, Health and Wellness Promotion Coordinator speaks on the importance of students’ mental health.
“The last stretch of the academic year can be hugely taxing on your mental health. My advice is to check in with yourself regularly. Try to keep things in perspective. Your finals are important, but you should not be putting your health or mental health in jeopardy to finish off the year,” Hogan said.
The course, the Science of Well-Being, taught by Professor Laurie Santos from Yale University was the inspiration for the creation of Wellness Week back in 2020. The course focuses on the five tenets of wellness and happiness, being present, being kind, connecting with others, breathing, and moving your body.
These five tenets are incorporated through the week with hosting activities such as yoga, mindful coloring, pet therapy, sowing seeds in the green house, writing letter of gratitude and many other activities.
Stonehill College reports that 65.7% of college students felt overwhelming anxiety.
Kyle McGrath, executive president of SGA, said impact Wellness Week had on students.
“People have already come up to me or messaged me about the impact the week has had. It is heartwarming to hear all the great stories or new ways of thinking people are exploring,”McGrath said.
Fireside Chats is one of the events that was well attended by students.
“Hosting wellness events is not so much about numbers; it’s about creating a space for even just one student to improve their mood, their day, or their overall wellness,” said Hogan.
The Health and Wellness Office is located in the Roche Dining Commons, Room 101. To get in contact with the new Health and Wellness Promotion Coordinator reach out to lhogan@stonehill.edu.