UT hosted its first ever Stress Less Week last week in order for students to have the opportunity to take their minds off of their workload and find new ways to relax. The various events—which started on Monday and ended on Thursday—took place at various locations around campus and were open for any students to get involved in.
“This is the first year that Stress Less Week took place and we had a super turnout,” said junior performing arts major Erica Natal, the Student Coordinator of Balance UT. “It was great to see so many students getting involved and enjoying these events.”
Natal and Balance UT were in charge of putting the events for the week together with the help of Marissa Potente, the president of the FOODS organization, and Chelsea Ptak, the president of the Better Together Interfaith Group.
The week started off with a Qi Gong yoga demonstration by Steven Geisz in the Chapel Main Hall on Monday at noon. Qi Gong is a form of yoga that emulates the natural movements of nature in the Asian martial arts tradition, and it is demonstrated by slow, fluid movements that are meant to strengthen the body and mind
“I’ve done yoga a few times, but never something exactly like Qi Jong,” said sophomore public relations major Kim Sharison. “I had a terrible day Sunday and just thought it would be a good way to blow off some steam. After the class, I just really wasn’t worried about anything. I’d definitely do it again.”
The Qi Gong yoga and guided meditation were only the start of the events for Stress Less Week. Tuesday featured an essential oils yoga session which showed how the use of scents such as eucalyptus and sandalwood can help strengthen your senses for a better workout. Wednesday featured a yoga DJ in the Vaughn Courtyard who mixed yoga songs to create a serene and energetic vibe for students to practice yoga.
Thursday started off with a sunset yoga session at 6 a.m. in Plant Park and ended with a pillow talk demonstration in the chapel at 10 p.m. The pillow talk meeting, which wrapped up the first ever Stress Less Week, talked about the effects that stress has on a person’s sleeping and eating habits.
“My favorite part about the week was seeing all the students de-stress,” said Natal. “I would definitely like to continue this event yearly because everyone constantly battles with stress. Especially college students.”
Chance Smith can be reached at chance.smith@spartans.ut.edu