Students who need a break from exams and classes can relax with free body-positive activities as part of a month-long GatorWell campaign.
Every{body} 2012 begins today with a fair from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Jennings Hall basement. The last of the campaign's four events is Feb. 22.
Students can de-stress with yoga and five-minute massages, have cupcakes and make valentines for Girl's Place, a Gainesville organization that promotes positive self-esteem.
"It's really focused on small things people can do to take better care of themselves and boost body confidence," said Shannon Delaney, GatorWell health promotion specialist.
Stress management activities were added this year because UF students reported stress as their top concern in the 2010 Healthy Gator Student Survey, she said.
The events focus on body and diet concerns in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which is from Feb. 26 to March 3.
Every{body} 2012 will cost about $4,000, part of which is from outside contributions, Delaney said.
She expects about 400 people at the events.
Simone Pierson, 21, Body Acceptance Movement president and director, said she hopes students learn self-love from the events. The student organization is one of several co-sponsors.
More event information is available at gatorwell.ufsa.ufl.edu.
