Kennesaw State students who feel the burden of tests, projects and exams on their shoulders have an opportunity to de-stress at the Health Promotion and Wellness Center’s new Relaxation Station.
The Relaxation Station is available to all students throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers coloring, puzzles and information on meditation. There are no appointments needed, rather students are encouraged to walk in and can stay as long as they need.
The Relaxation Station originally only popped up during midterms and finals, and Sherry Grabel, director of the Health Promotion and Wellness Center, expressed that she is happy to see this change.
“We wanted to provide the opportunity to de-stress year round,” Grable said.
The need for the Relaxation Station is showcased by research from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment. The 2018 assessment’s results show that 34 percent of KSU students reported stress as a factor affecting their individual academic performance. The study also found that over the past 12 months, 85 percent of students felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, and 82 percent felt exhausted.
According to Grabel, as long as students are utilizing the station it will remain open and available throughout the semester.
The Health Promotion and Wellness Center collaborates with different departments on campus such as the Department of Sports and Recreation, Library, Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Life to provide the Stress Less Week.
Other Universities are offering programs like our own because students being overly stressed is a nation-wide issue. Georgia State University‘s Relaxation Room is complete with a massage chair and relaxing audio recordings and John Carroll University‘s Relaxation Room is equipped with yoga and meditation mats and reading material on psychology.
“A new trend on college campuses is to have pet therapy dogs ‘on staff’ to help students adjust to college life,” Grable said. “Pet therapy has been used successfully in helping others manage stress.”
Grabel noted that students may recognize previous stress-relieving programs at KSU, such as “Paws and Relax” as well as the collaborative effort last year for “Stress Less Week.”
With all of these resources in mind, students who are struggling to overcome their stress should visit the Relaxation Station for some self-care.
For more information on the Health Promotion and Wellness Center’s Relaxation Station or other resources, visit their website at wellness.kennesaw.edu
