Kennesaw State’s Health Promotion and Wellness held its monthly event, “Wellness on Wheels,” Thursday, Nov. 14, with a focus on stress relief.
Students who came to the event in the Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center received free hot chocolate and coffee, made stress balls, crafted foam owls and colored fall-themed sheets.
“I think this event specifically is just providing a space for people to come and de-stress,” HPW Coordinator Dalida Brown said. “I know lots of places on campus have so much happening at once that it’s hard to relax there.”
Students made stress kits with tips on how to manage anxiety along with bubble wrap and candy. The stress kit station ran across a table where students walked along and filled bags with one of every item on the table, which included tea bags, bandages, erasers and chocolate.
The event was aimed at helping students find ways to manage their stress for finals, Brown said.
A prize wheel set up on a table near the coloring station had suggestions for relaxation. When students spun the wheel they received suggestions such as “make a healthy snack” and “meditate.”
The stress kits students made had tips and coping strategies for stress that students can carry with them, Brown said.
Three cards in the stress kits included a guide to mindful meditation, a poem about peace and happiness and a list of the items in the kit and what each item represents or does.
Wellness on Wheels events are typically held outside, but due to the cold weather on Thursday the event was indoors, Brown said. Past Wellness on Wheels events have been centered around alcohol education, sexual health and other health topics the department identifies.
Health Promotion and Wellness has a number of resources and events throughout the academic year related to student health, including Paws and Relax, where students can pet therapy dogs and participate in other stress-relieving activities according to Owl Life.
Additionally, a relaxation station is offered in the Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center for students to relax when an event is not being held, Brown said.
Wellness on Wheels started a couple of years ago when HPW decided to try using its golf cart to spread health information to students on campus, Brown said.
HPW offers many of its services and programs for free or at low costs, according to its website.
“The programs and services offered support students’ overall wellness through health promotion workshops and events including, but not limited to, stress management programs, nutrition consultations and workshops, risk reduction education, CPR certification and more,” according to the HPW website.
Wellness on Wheels and other events hosted by HPW can be found on the online event calendar.
