Feeling the blues? A recent study has shown that spending time outdoors and engaging in outdoor exercise may improve your mental wellbeing. Learn why nature is so good for your mental health with this quick 1-minute read.  

Prioritizing mental health is something that can be done to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Taking time for yourself, disconnecting from social media, and building a meaningful support system are just a few ways to prioritize mental health. Check out this helpful PDF from SAMHSA; a step-by-step guide to wellness to creating a healthier life.   

Meal prep is a great way to ensure healthy eating throughout the week. The first step of meal prep is to pick recipes that are well-rounded and include lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose dishes that have a variety of colors and textures and easy to prepare. Then, make a grocery list for all the ingredients. Make sure to switch up recipes weekly so that your favorite recipe never gets old. Here is an easy guide to healthy meal prep!  

Health Promotion and Wellness is celebrating Eating Disorders Awareness Week on February 22 – March 4, 2021. We have a number of programs scheduled for the ‘week’ including a guest speaker, workshops focused on cultivating self-awareness, as well as body positive events.  Kimberly Dark, a performance artist, will perform You Don’t’ Owe Anyone Pretty on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm.  This performance will encourage you to think about the importance of your whole body and will help you shift away from the importance of appearance.  Dr. Elisha Halpin will lead two workshops (2/25 and 3/2 at 6:00 pm) with dancing, breathing and meditation which are designed to help you to find your inner confidence. To learn more about this week’s events and to get the Zoom links, visit Health Promotion and Wellness Events and Programs. 

Inspired by Dr. Bill Doan’s exhibition, The Anxiety Project, community art boards create an opportunity for reflection and expression.  The Penn State community is invited to respond to prompts through drawing, and/or written word.  Through artistic expression, we can process and share our experiences and perspectives, create a sense of community, connect with our common humanity and cultivate the well-being of the larger campus community.  Art boards are in the HUB, Collaboration Commons at the University Library, Webster’s Cafe downtown and online. 

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you may be experiencing new stressors. From remote classes to life in quarantine, Penn State students are being challenged in many new ways. In response, HPW now offers Stress Management 101 on Canvas. This short, self-guided course will help you understand stress, identify your personal stressors, and develop skills to cope with and manage stress better. 

You may have found that sitting on Zoom all day is making you more tired than trekking your way around campus. Why you may ask? Processing information over video is different than in-person and video calls require you to focus more intently to absorb information. Click to read five research-based tips that can help make attending class by Zoom less exhausting. 

It’s a new year and a new semester—complete with new classes and a new schedule! You can help yourself stay on track by writing down all your assignments in a planner. Don’t let exams sneak up on you! Choose to write down when your exams are, and when assignments are due. Finally, make sure you’re taking the time to really invest in your courses and engage with the material. Use the time estimator tool to find out how you use your time during a week.