Health and Wellness Newsletter

Stressbusters

Attending Stressbusters during final exams can be a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood. These events can provide a fun and relaxing break from studying, and they can also help you to connect with other students and make new friends.

Some highlights are listed below. View the full calendar of events on the Stressbusters website.

Therapy Dogs

Take a break and boop some snoots with friendly therapy dogs from Dog B.O.N.E.S.

Thursday, May 4, 2023

11:00 AM - 2 PM

Skyline Multipurpose Room

Monday, May 8, 2023

2 - 3:30 PM

Library Tribute Area

Virtual Stressbusters

The Virtual Stressbusters website provides a whole collection of videos, podcasts, playlists, and websites to help you reduce stress from the comfort of your home - or wherever you are! Some highlights include:

• The Warrior Canine Connection's Live Puppy Cam
• KUKUWA® African Dance Workout - 15 minute mood boost
• Abstract Painting - Sailboats
• Videos to restore your joy in cooking
• and so much more!

Visit the Virtual Stressbusters website

Apply to become a Peer Engagement Coordinator

Are you an undergraduate student who enjoys talking about spirituality and religion? Do you want to enhance the dialogue on campus with funding and staff support to make it happen? As a Peer Engagement Coordinator, you will brainstorm, plan, and facilitate new spirituality-related activities based on the topics and questions that are most interesting to you.

This is a paid position requiring 5 hours weekly. Please be sure to apply via Workday and complete the supplemental application form by May 3.

Taking strategic study breaks

Final exams can be a stressful time. The pressure to perform well, the amount of material to cover, and the uncertainty of the future can all contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Take regular, short study breaks to reduce your stress and improve your academic performance! Follow every 40-50 minutes of study time with a 5-15 minute break to rest, refresh and refocus.

Here are some things you can do to give your brain a break:

1. Meditate
2. Take a walk and/or get some fresh air
3. Stretch or do a quick workout
4. Take a shower
5. Organize or clean your space
6. Take a short power nap (20 minutes)
7. Have a snack that nourishes you
8. Call a friend or loved one to chat
9. Listen to music, draw, or journal
10. Avoid social media; research shows that scrolling does not give your brain a break

Resources you might use:

• Headspace, free for Brandeis students, is an app offering meditations, study music, and movement (stretching, yoga, workouts, etc.)
• The Virtual Stressbusters website features a curated collection of videos, playlists, websites, virtual tours, cams, and more to help you breathe, move, laugh, zone out, distract yourself, cook, create, and get support.

Remember, finals week is just a short time in the grand scheme of things. By taking good care of yourself, you can manage your stress and ace your exams.

Sun safety is trending

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with more skin cancers being diagnosed each year than all other cancers combined. In addition to skin cancer, UV ray exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage (wrinkles, spots, etc.), eye problems, and a weakened immune system.



• Wear sunscreen: Remember to reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours to avoid sunburns and other harmful effects of UV rays. Remember: people of all skin tones benefit from wearing sunscreen.
• Wear or carry protective clothing with you: This includes sunglasses, hats with brims, long sleeved shirts and beach coverups that actually cover your skin.
• Limit sun exposure: Be mindful of spending a lot of time outside between 10 am and 4 pm when the UV rays are the strongest. When you are outside, seek shade.
• Avoid tanning beds: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, indoor tanning beds increase your risk of developing life threatening melanoma by 75% from just one indoor tanning session. Y2K fashion trends may be back in style, but let's leave tanning in the past where it belongs.

The Headspace app is now free for Brandeis students! Sign up here.