According to researchers, our overall health and wellbeing is impacted by the environment in which we surround ourselves.
Our environment can influence our mood, impact our behavior, affect our level of motivation and even cause peaks in stress.
Here at the University of Idaho, there are various locations that incorporate wellness into their environment. Locations such as the library, Alice’s Room, Cedar Grove or even the arboretum are good examples. Whether you have a favorite de-stress location or are looking to find your perfect space, you should still come in and visit one of the university’s hidden gems — the Well Space.
Savanha Rodriguez | Courtesy
The Well Space is located in the Student Recreation Center and was designed with the importance of environment in mind. It is intended to be a space for students to come in and relax when needed. It offers a rock water feature, essential oils, a comfortable couch (which you could nap on) and even some yummy treats like coffee, tea, water and snacks.
We have friendly peer health educators, like myself, who work in the Well Space during hours of operation — Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We are eager to answer any and all questions that you may have regarding health and wellness. We can also help point you in the right direction in terms of resources on campus.
In addition to surrounding yourself in calm environments, it is also important to practice self-care.
One way that you can take time for yourself and separate yourself from the stress of school is by attending one of our weekly Well Space Wednesday events. The events occur every Wednesday between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. While the event lasts two hours, drop-ins are always welcome and you are free to attend for as long as your schedule allows.
These events are designed to help you connect with fellow peers and relax while participating in various de-stress activities.
While the UI does offer various spaces that provide a wellness environment, don’t be too quick to pick your favorite until you have visited the Well Space.
While most of the week it is a quiet location where you can relax, connect with peers or study, we do make sure to plan fun events for every Vandal to enjoy. Every week has a different event planned for Well Space Wednesday.
Be sure to follow @vandalhealthed on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with all the fun and exciting activities we have planned this semester. We hope your first few weeks of the Spring semester have been great thus far and that you come visit us at the Well Space soon. As always, go Vandals!
Savanha Rodriguez