About 110 students sat in the grass on the Plaza of the Americas on Thursday as they tried easing their minds before final exams arrive.
The Member Leadership Program’s health and wellness committee hosted the free stress-reducing event with the Counseling & Wellness Center and GatorWell. Club members gave out information on UF resources, hosted stress-reducing activities and handed out free food, said Andrea Rangel, a committee member who planned the event. The total cost was $175, she said.
Activities included making stress balls and bracelets, writing positive messages on sticky notes, participating in yoga and talking to experts about reducing stress, the 19-year-old UF nursing sophomore said.
Rangel said she wanted the event to focus on mental health instead of physical health.
“People really need to be aware of, like, just being holistically well,” Rangel said. “You have to invest in yourself as well.”
Students sat in a circle on the grass chatting and writing motivational messages to each other. Christian Suriel, a 19-year-old UF finance sophomore, made a green stress ball from a balloon with flour filling.
Suriel said he learned about resources provided by the CWC.
“This was a good resource to find out what they are and the services they provide on campus,” Suriel said. “At the end of the day, you really have to take time for yourself. So sometimes I will go to Lake Wauburg, or I enjoy cooking, so I’ll do that for myself.”
Alberto Barcenas, a 22-year-old UF international studies senior, tried yoga for the first time. He said he sees how it can be relaxing for some, but he preferred the other crafts.
Barcenas brought his friend Austin Felter, a 19-year-old UF international studies sophomore, to the event with him. Felter said his favorite activity was writing a positive message on a sticky note, which he gave to Barcenas. His note said, “Stay true.”
“An inspirational quote can really help a person get through it all,” Felter said.
Students gather Thursday to make stress balls and unwind with a yoga session during the Member Leadership Program’s “Chomp the Stress” event on the Plaza of the Americas. Students were given free pizza, yoga and crafts to help them relax before final exams.
