Health and Wellness Newsletter

February 2025

In This Issue:

Events & Opportunities

Spring Hours at the Oasis Wellness Lounge
Celebrate Black History Month
Valentine's Blood Drive
Queer Survivorship: A Community Space
Survivor Support and Skill Building Group

Events & Opportunities

Two students meditate in the Oasis Wellness Lounge

Spring Hours at the Oasis Wellness Lounge

Take a moment to escape the academic hustle and take a break at the Oasis Wellness Lounge, your haven for relaxation located in the Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) room 328.

Mondays: 12 PM - 5 PM
Tuesdays: 1 PM - 4 PM
Wednesdays: 9 AM - 11 AM and 4 PM - 7 PM
Thursdays: 12 PM - 5 PM
Fridays: 1:15 PM - 5 PM

Learn more about the Oasis Wellness Lounge

Graphic about Black History Month with heart-shaped puzzle pieces being put together

Take a closer look:

Dive into the Brandeis Library’s archives and collections on Black history.

Celebrate Black History Month

February is a time of reflection and celebration at Brandeis University as we honor Black History Month this year. Community engagement and conversations are an essential part of honoring this legacy.

“Talk About It” hosted by the Brandeis Black Student Organization

Saturday, February 8, 2025, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

SCC Theater

“Barbershop Talk: Cutting the Stigma” hosted by the Intercultural Center

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Intercultural Center

CommUnity Gathering at Heller

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 12:30pm-1:30pm

Heller Zinner Forum

...

This informal community gathering will include lunch and is sponsored by the Office of the Dean at Heller.

Be Positive with Waltham Group Blood Drive and Bridge to Wellness

Valentine's Blood Drive

Waltham Group Blood Drive holds three drives a year by collaborating with The American Red Cross. For February 2025, the drive is Valentines themed. The Brandeis community, from student to faculty to staff, are able to donate. Students are also able to volunteer.

Tuesday, February 11, 11 am - 4 pm

Thursday, February 13, 11 am - 4 pm

Sherman Function Hall

B Positive: Drop by the Shapiro Campus Center atrium on February 5, from 11 am to 1 pm to destress while you learn about the upcoming blood drive and ways to prepare for it!

Queer Survivorship: A Community Space

Mondays starting 1/27

4:15 pm -5:15 pm

Gender and Sexuality Center - Usdan G069

LGBTQIA+ identifying students are encouraged to attend. All are welcome. Email Becca (they/he/she) with any questions at rvanspall@brandeis.edu.

Survivor Support and Skill Building Group

Thursdays starting 1/30

5 pm - 6 pm

Brandeis Counseling Center (Mailman house)

This is a group for students impacted by sexual and dating violence.

Email sarahreilly@brandeis.edu to register.

See the full list of upcoming health and wellness events

Featured Topics

Beat the Winter Blues

Learn tips for managing Seasonal Affective Disorder and staying positive during colder months.

Managing seasonal depression

Photo of a statue on the Brandeis campus in the winter

Self-Compassion for Valentine's Day

Ways to practice self-compassion and boost mental health around Valentine’s Day.

We could all use more self-compassion in our lives. It has the power to free us from critical thoughts and harsh self-judgments, and it can make a profound difference in how we live in this world and relate to others.

Take the self-compassion test.
Listen to the "Be Kind to Yourself" episode of the Hidden Brain podcast.
Try a free 5-Day Self-Compassion Challenge featuring lively 10-minute video sessions to help you apply this transformative practice to your life.

A road sign saying "You are worthy of love"

Meditation: Managing Stress in Uncertain Times

It can often feel like there’s so much going on in the world that is beyond our control. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of constant worry and uncertainty, exhausting both your mind and body. It’s important to give yourself a moment of rest.

Take these 10 minutes to unwind with a body scan meditation to help you release stress and find a moment of calm and clarity.