Stress Less Week plans to help students cope with final exams

Illustration by Karli Kruse

Stress Less Week will take place on Dec. 2-10 on the first floor of the Kathryn A. Martin Library.

Communication and Journalism librarian Adam Brisk said that the Stress Less Week activities will consist of giving away free coffee, tea and cocoa in the mornings Monday through Friday on Dec. 3-7.

“We’ll also have button-making, stress-ball making, and we’re going to be sponsoring PAWS, the pet-away stress with all the dogs and animals down at Kirby Student Center,” Brisk said.

Many other activities will be available for students including puzzles, games and a Zoomobile on Tuesday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

“On Thursday, there’s going to be an awesome activity where we make a lot of smoothies, starting at 11 a.m., plus we have door prizes and other things,” Brisk said.

The kickoff for Stress Less Week will start on Dec. 2, starting at 2 p.m., when stress levels get really high on students.

“Stress Less Week is either at the entryway or in the Atrium,” Brisk said. “We actually put up two large activity tables for games, coloring and just sitting there relaxing.”

“On the second floor there will be a massage therapist available on Monday and Tuesday,” Brisk said. “And that is for two-hour blocks on Monday at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and on Tuesday at 3-5 p.m., first-come, first-serve [basis] sign-up for free.”

Brisk does most of the coordinating at Stress Less Week but also collaborates with different groups on campus, including Kirby Program Board and funding for catering and food.

“We partner with Health Services, Wellness, Knit Wits, the knitting group on campus, Bulldog Yoga Club, Student Government [and] a whole list of different things,” Brisk said.

According to Brisk, Stress Less Week is important because students have been working hard for 16 weeks. It is coming to an end in four or five different classes, whether they have tests, papers or group presentations. The activities are to help and make sure that students find ways to either release tension or enjoy some food and take care of themselves during that time.

“It’s important to remember to take time to cope with stress in an effective and good manner rather than just letting it compound,” Brisk said.

For more information on Stress Less Week, please visit Kathryn A. Martin Library’s website.