Stressless Week Aims to Promotes the Wellness of Students Before Finals

Illustration by Karli Kruse.

Stressless Week is a week of events held at the Kathryn A. Martin Library from Dec. 1 to Dec. 6. The events aim to help reduce stress in practical ways for students before final’s week. 

Adam Brisk. Photo Courtesy of UMD.

The event is facilitated by Adam Brisk, the online learning and outreach librarian for students, faculty, and staff. Brisk sees Stressless week as a “a week of wellness, mindfulness, and stress reduction for students,” said Brisk. 

Stressless week first began in 2012 and since then, they’ve changed tactics to more efficient events, however the purpose remains the same: to help everyone relieve stress even if it’s just for five minutes.  

“We’ve moved away from the more whimsical and weird things that we used to do in the past and to more practical and advice-like ideas,” said Brisk. “Such as being able to organize your list and reprioritize information; being able to think more clearly about progress.”

Throughout Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 10:00am there will be free coffee, tea, and cocoa. 

The events range from receiving five minute massages to making your own recipe book and buttons. 

Tuesday will be an animal filled day, consisting of PAWS which will be at the Kirby Lounge and the Lake Superior Zoo Mobile. Some of these animals may include: chinchillas, a tortoise, hedgehogs, and maybe a therapy chicken.

Wednesday consists of health and fitness with smoothie shots. From 6:00pm to 7:00pm in SPHC 103, there will be yoga hosted by the Bulldog Yoga Club, which will be giving away some prizes. 

The week will end with events from the Exercise Science Club Trivia, Stress Ball Make and Take, and Build Your Own Keychain with Bulldog Beginnings. 

Stressless Week hopes to help students embark towards finals in a more consoled, inspired state of mind. This is the last stretch of the journey and as Brisk said,“we’re all in this together.”  

For more information on Stressless Week Fall 2019, visit Kathryn A. Martin Library’s website.