March 2016 Dimension of the Month: Environmental Wellbeing
The Office of Wellbeing would like to welcome your student back to campus. We hope they had a wonderful and safe spring break! As we look towards warmer weather and more sunshine, we are celebrating environmental wellbeing!
Studies show that the physical environment can have a significant impact on our overall wellbeing, reducing stress, improving mood, as well as creating calm and balance. Whether that be spending less time with the TV or other screens, a more comfortable sleeping space, or a supportive and safe space that your students can thrive in, the environment is a critical factor in managing and improving student wellbeing!
As spring quickly approaches, we encourage your student to go out and explore Reynolda Gardensor Hearn Plaza and take advantage of the many natural landscapes and equipment that are readily available! Student should also take advantage of our new Sutton Center, which is an expansion of the Reynolds Gymnasium, which provides more updated space for students to engage in recreational activities. Outdoor Pursuits also provides fun and inexpensive trips that allow students to go camping, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and other activities in the great outdoors! Other opportunities include volunteering and exploring the Campus Gardens as well as Cobblestone Farmer’s Market in Old Salem!
Additionally, we encourage you to inform your students about the Eleventh Annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair, which is the largest Earth Day celebration and one-day environmental education event in the region!
Activities this Month:
Move More! Move Often! Spring Program
Our spring program for Move More! Move Often! Program has launched! Move More! Move Often! is an 8-week step challenge to encourage individuals to increase their daily physical activity using Fitbit activity trackers. The program offers new enrollees a free Fitbit, performance incentives, supplemental resources and materials, and discounts to help individuals reach their physical activity goals. We also offer daily walking groups to get your student moving more! Walking groups are provided at three different times per weekday (Monday-Friday). Each day a thirty minute walking group will be led by one of our walking leaders at 7:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:15 pm.
Spring has Sprung: A Vernal Equinox Celebration
March 20th, 2016 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Campus Gardens
Kick off spring with sheep shearing, goat petting, live music, painting, tie dying, a celebratory planting, sustainably grown and locally prepared bites, and so much more! Bring a friend and your wallet for a pop-up style farmers’ market. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Wellbeing, the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC), and the Sustainability Theme House.
Introduction to Zen Meditation
March 21st, 2016 | 7-9pm | Davis Chapel Wingate Hall | Co-sponsors: WFU Meditation Club & Office of the Chaplain
An Introduction to Zen Meditation is designed to help you get the most out of your meditation practice. It is appropriate for both beginners, experienced meditators, and anyone else who wants to bring more balance and mindful awareness into your daily life. Our evening together will include teacher instruction about the philosophy of Zen meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and Q and A.
Meditation is a skill that anyone can learn. You do not have to have a naturally calm mind. Meditation is useful precisely where we are active and dynamic in our activity, and need a quiet, clear, alert mind at the same time. Meditation can be learned by anyone, regardless of culture or background, and similarly you do not need to follow any creed or religion to find a calm and happy mind through meditation.
Dress comfortably. Cushions and chairs are available.