Weekly Wellness Newsletter 4/16/24

April 16, 2024

Your guide to wellness programs and events, recreational opportunities and highlights, timely educational wellness information and service offerings throughout the academic year.

Manage Your End-of-Semester Stress

As the end of the semester and finals are approaching, you may find yourself feeling a bit more stressed. Stress is the body's physical and psychological reaction to a situation or any change that requires an adjustment or response. Everyone experiences stress – it’s a pretty common thing! You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and even your thoughts.

Once you recognize your stress, it’s important to find ways to effectively manage it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Eat a healthy diet: eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, try to avoid processed or sugary foods, and stay hydrated.
Exercise: even 10 minutes per day is helpful!
Connect socially: participate in hobbies, intramural sports, or clubs, visit a coffee shop or bookstore, or spend time with friends.
Take breaks: take small breaks throughout your assignments, take a day off of work for self-care, or just schedule some time to relax.
Spend time in nature: take a walk or hike, study outside, or open the windows for some fresh air.

Not all stress is bad. It’s important to Name it. Recognize it. Manage it.

Wellness Services and Resource

Start Prepping for Finals

The Academic Success Center has a variety of tools to help improve your time management skills and study strategies. Not sure where to start? Check out the Study Tool Kit and the following upcoming Finals Week Prep Workshops:

Looking for more support? Check out RIT’s tutoring resources or schedule a one-on-one appointment with an ASC peer mentor.

Academic Success Center

Tell Me Something Good written in black text on a yellow background graphic

Self Care v. Self Pampering

Is there even a difference between the two? Well, according to the University of Kentucky, there is! Self-care focuses on prevention and maintenance of our health and well-being over time (such as showering, going to the doctor when we don’t feel well, ensuring we eat something today, etc.), while self-pampering is something done for temporary pleasure (such as sleeping in, ordering a sweet treat, buying something for yourself, etc.)

Both techniques are very important to one’s health and well-being, but make sure they are done in a balance that is right for you.

As we wrap up the end of the semester, make sure you’re taking care of yourselves, Tigers!

Wellness Events Calendar

We’ve put together a Wellness Events Calendar to compile all the RIT Wellness events and programs in one easy place to find and refer back to all semester long. This includes CaPS workshops and community spaces, Mental Health First Aid training opportunities, Bow Wow Wellness, and more.

Be sure to save this page, as we’re always adding new events and programs throughout the semester!

Wellness Events Calendar

Women in Weightlifting
Saturdays, 4-6 p.m.
Meet in Classroom 1325 in the Student Life Center (SLC)

Want to start strength training in supportive group setting? With the help of a WFC Personal Trainer, participants will learn how to use barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells to increase strength, mobility and confidence in the gym. The first hour will include instruction on various strength exercises and the opportunity to get hands-on help with your lifts. The second hour will be an opportunity to lift in the company of other women. All fitness levels are welcome. This program is for women and female-identifying friends only!

Coffee & Company: Holy Finals, Batman!
Tuesday, April 16
12:45-1:45 p.m., MOSAIC

The Health Promotion team invites you to join us for an afternoon pick-me up! Come chat with us about various topics each week, and their connection to mental health!

Learn more

Cornhole (Doubles) Intramural Tournament
Saturday, April 20
1-6 p.m.

Join us for a single-day cornhole tournament! Tournaments are a great way to relax and try something new!

Registration will open three weeks before the tournament begins.

Goat Yoga with Goat Yoga of New York
Thursday, April 25
Greek Lawn

Take a moment to destress and regroup after a busy start to the Fall semester! Enjoy a beginner yoga class for humans while a tribe of goats engage with you yogi's! You are encouraged to show off your RIT spirit by wearing an RIT shirt to the event!

There will be four 30-minute sessions:

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
12:15-12:45 p.m.
3-3:30 p.m.
3:45-4:15 p.m.

Please note:

Bring your own yoga mat or towel as yoga mats will not be provided
Class will be outside on the grass
There is the potential the goats will jump and/or climb on you
Signing of waiver is required to participate in the event

In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled and an email notification will go out.

Black Mental Health Matters
Thursday, May 2
12-4 p.m., Gordon Field House / SLC Upper Lobby

Join us for free food, games, and giveaways while breaking down barriers surrounding mental health in the Black community!

Counseling and Psychological Services along with the help of DDI, Campus Life, and MCAS have worked to create a program The intended to create a safe space for open dialogue and shared experiences to begin breaking down the barriers surrounding mental health in the Black community. During an afternoon of games and fun, we will work toward fostering a sense of unity with an emphasis on building community, connection, and mental health.

Learn more

Personal Trainer Certification Prep Course
May 13 - June 21

The Center for Recreational Sports is offering a program to help you study for, and pass, the personal trainer certification exam. This 6-week online, asynchronous course will help prepare participants to take the American Council on Exercise (ACE) personal trainer exam. Course participants will receive a discount on the exam registration upon course completion.

If you are serious about becoming certified and potentially working in the Wiedman Fitness Center as a personal trainer, sign up today! Contact mrwciar@rit.edu with any questions.

RIT Summer Golf League
Wednesdays, beginning May 15
Genesee Valley Golf Course

Join the RIT Summer Golf League! The 2 person team league will run every Wednesday for 14 weeks beginning May 15. Tee times range from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The league costs $200 per person, which includes 9 holes per week for 14 weeks, walking. Riding carts are available for an additional cost.

If you have the Monroe County Parks M-F or Unlimited pass, contact drscri@rit.edu prior to registering.

Ongoing Education Opportunities

Mental Health First Aid at RIT

RIT Wellness is excited to offer all students, faculty, and staff members of the RIT community the opportunity to participate in Mental Health First Aid training sessions this spring.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course, in which you will:

Learn how to describe and talk about mental health, openly and non-judgmentally
Learn how to approach, reassure, and support a fellow RIT community member when they may be struggling with their mental health
Explore what self-care looks like for you with practical applications of self-care

To participate in a Mental Health First Aid training session, you can either request a session for your group or register for a scheduled session. If you have any questions, please contact Beau Gibbs at bmghcw@rit.edu.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at RIT

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.