Office of Health Promotion combats student stress with free massages, yoga, Tai Chi

To help students monitor and cope
with their levels of stress while finishing
up the semester, VCU’s office of Health
Promotion is sponsoring “Stress Relief
Week” from Dec. 3 through Dec. 8.

“Stress Relief Week” aims to give
students the opportunity to take a break
from studying with positive, stress-reducing
activities. The events also are sponsored
by VCU Recreational Sports and
University Counseling Services. The free
activities include tai chi, yoga, massages
and a stress-relief pack giveaway.

Cassie Williams, a senior doublemajoring
in public relations and Spanish,
said the demands of her coursework,
impending exams and preparing for life
after graduation are the sources of her
stress.

“There’s already
stress from school and
other things in my
life, and during exam
time, it’s just so much
added pressure. I find
it difficult to manage
everything without being
stressed out,” she
said.

The office of Health
Promotion defines
stress as how your
body reacts to taxing
situations, according to
their pamphlet, titled
“Making Stress Work
for You.”

During stressful
situations, chemicals
are released into your
system, providing your
body with more energy.
This is why reasonable amounts of stress
are healthy, but too much stress can be
negative.

Amanda Wattenmaker, a health educator
at the office of Health Promotion,
said stress affects everyone differently,
but the most negative effects include
trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability and
poor concentration.

“Long-term stress can lead to other illnesses,
dissatisfaction with relationships
with family and friends and an inability
to perform the way you normally would
at school or work,” Wattenmaker said.

Because stress is hard to avoid, the key
to remaining healthy is identifying your
own stress signals and finding the best way
to manage them, Wattenmaker said.

Students should try to get as much
sleep as possible, exercise and make time
for themselves to help deal with stress.
She also recommended
students eat properly,
get organized and set
priorities.

“Something that may
be stressing you out
may not be important
a few years down the
road, or even a few
weeks down the road,”
Wattenmaker said.
“Just keep things in
perspective.”

For students who
need outside help with
stress management,
the office of Health
Promotion offers oneon-
one consultations
about stress management.
Students can call
827-0231 for information
or to make an
appointment.

—

Stress Relief Week

Free Chair Massages: Dec. 4 and Dec. 5:

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Commons
Dec. 5: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Siegel Center
Dec. 6: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Siegel Center

Free classes at the Siegel Center

Beginner Tai Chi/Taiji: Dec. 3: 1 – 2 p.m.
Intermediate Tai Chi/ Taiji: Dec. 3: 2 – 3 p.m.

Yoga I (beginner): Dec. 3: 8- 9 a.m., Dec. 4:
12 – 1 p.m. and 1- 2 p.m., Dec. 8: 12:30-
1:30 p.m.

Yoga II (intermediate): Dec. 6: 12- 1 p.m., 1
– 2 p.m.

Yoga for Runners: Dec. 7: 7- 8 a.m.

Free Stress Relief Pack Giveaway
Dec. 6: 11- 2 p.m.

To deal with stress appropriately,
students should:

Get as much sleep as possible
Exercise, Eat right
Make time for yourself
Get organized, Set priorities

-Amanda Wattenmaker, a health
educator at VCU’s office of Health
Promotion