Study break
Just in time for midterms, students looking to de-stress and unwind can visit one of the University鈥檚 two new WellNest Hubs (get the Eagle reference?)鈥攃alming spaces dedicated to relaxation and well-being.
Located on the first floors of O鈥機onnell House on Upper Campus and 825 Centre Street on Newton Campus, the Hubs feature comfortable couches and chairs, baskets of snacks and drinks, and relaxing activities like coloring pages and space for meditation. On their way out, students can pick up wellness kits stocked with small items for managing stress and anxiety, like tactile stickers and worry stones.聽
鈥淐ollege can be a high-stress environment at times so we wanted to build in some spaces that encourage students to just relax and take a break,鈥� said Associate Vice President for Student Health & Wellness Melinda Stoops. 鈥淚f you want to come take a nap, go ahead鈥攚e want students to use the space in whatever way makes sense for them.鈥�
Inside O鈥機onnell House, the WellNest occupies a cheerful sunroom at the rear of the building, with windows looking out on Upper Campus. A small fountain has been repurposed to hold smooth stones that students can paint and take with them, or leave for others to enjoy. Stacks of resource cards line the windowsill, offering health tips on topics like sleep, nutrition, and relationships.
The WellNest on Newton Campus includes a similar common space, with cozy floor cushions and a box encouraging students to store their phones and enjoy some screen-free time. Next door, there鈥檚 a small yoga/meditation studio stocked with mats, and a private room that students can reserve for telehealth appointments (a sound machine sits outside for added privacy).聽
The WellNest Hub on Newton Campus.
Rocks decorated by students at the WellNest Hub on Upper Campus.
Resource cards hang outside the meditation room on Newton Campus.
The telehealth room can be booked anonymously online.
Post-pandemic, an increasing number of college students nationwide are struggling with their mental health, with surveys showing rates of depression and anxiety at an all-time high. 51茶馆 students with mental health concerns can visit the Counseling Center, join a therapy group, or meet with a health coach through the Center for Student Wellness. The WellNest Hubs are designed to complement those resources, said Stoops, and promote self-care as a way for all students to manage the inevitable pressures of being in college.聽
鈥淐ounseling is so valuable for those who need it, but those who don鈥檛 still need to figure out how to manage stress,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to increase students鈥� ability to think proactively. Are you feeling stressed during midterms? Take a break and come over here.鈥�