The college's second Wellness Day -- Tuesday, March 23 -- will offer a day for campus community members an opportunity to unplug or, if they choose, to take advantage of a variety of programs geared toward mental and physical wellness.
Enjoy nature
Rice Creek Field Station again will offer a natural setting for several activities open to the campus community.
- Art and Nature Actvities from 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. include a number of stations where people can plant a seed to take home, decorate a beach stone, make sidewalk art, do some coloring, chill in a hammock or join a photo contest.
- Signs of Spring Nature Walks will feature Rice Creek Assistant Director Kristen Haynes leading participants on a 1-mile nature walk highlighting wildflowers, birds and other signs of spring. No pre-registration is required for these walks of about an hour in duration, although size is limited to 10 individuals. An 11:30 a.m. walk is slated for faculty and staff, with a 1:15 p.m. walk set for students.
- An event called the Tree Hugging Program, taking place at 12:45 and 2:45 p.m., will feature an appreciation for what trees provide, guided by the Counseling Services Center.
Rice Creek Field Station is located on Thompson Road and available by the Centro bus Green Route or via car. Rice Creek’s five miles of hiking trails are open daily dawn until dusk.
Crafty and hands-on activities
Three make-and-take events will provide creative and/or relaxing outlets:
- Positive Plants: Pot Your Own Succulent, at 4 p.m. live on Zoom, will offer step-by-step instructions for assembling your very own succulent, and discuss the benefits of greenery in indoor spaces.
- A 6 p.m. hands-on workshop via Zoom, A Essential Oils for Relaxation will feature doTerra Wellness Advocate and Educator Sarah Trunfio guiding participants through practical uses of essential oils to promote overall health, wellness and relaxation techniques.
- Students seeking an activity on their own time can access a limited number of Make Your Own Sand Art kits, fully equipped with varying colors of sand, a small container to capture the creative design and a funnel for assembly ease.
Materials for these make-and take sessions are available by registering online in advance; supplies are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Working out
Plenty of physical activities will take place on Tuesday (many also on other days):
- Free Fitness Centers use in the new space in Marano Campus Center arena is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- A Cornhole Tournament, sponsored by Campus Recreation, will offer friendly competition from noon to 2 p.m. in Swetman Gym. Registration is online.
- The March Mile - Employee Appreciation Walk from noon to 1 p.m. offers a healthy outlet sponsored by the Health Promotion and Wellness Club. Online registration is available for in-person and virtual participation, with the first 30 registrants receiving a free T-shirt.
- Campus Recreation also offers the daily Basketball Shoot Around and the regular Tuesday edition of Badminton from 2 to 9 p.m. in Swetman Gym with online reservations recommended.
- A Mini-Group Exercise Marathon provides a drop-in sessions for BGT (Butts, Guts and Thighs) from 3:30 to 4, Indoor Cycling from 4 to 4:30, Zumba from 4:30 to 5 and Yoga from 5 to 5:30, with free water bottles for participants.
- Recurring Fitness Centers classes in Indoor Cycling at 7 p.m. and BGT (Butts, Guts and Thighs) at 8 p.m.
Healthy minds
A wide variety of mental wellness activities will include:
- Tea Talk with Peer Educators from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. online will provide a chance to connect and chat in this recurring program.
- A Paint Your Stress Away event will offer a live, in-person painting session (advance registration required).
- You Deserve a Rest: A relaxation program will offer a virtual mediation and an activity to remind participants about what is important in their lives. Participants will receive a free Mindful Oz journal.
- Learn what Self-Compassion in Career Planning looks like with a 3 p.m. virtual event.
- A virtual Beat Boxing experience at 7 p.m., sponsored by Residence Life and Housing will offer an energetic stress-relieving session with Canadian musician, multi-instrumentalist and skilled martial artist/competitor Sensei Jake.
- Throughout the day, off-campus partner Aqua Spa Float Center and Wellness Boutique will offer discounts to students, faculty and staff.
Remember that participants will be asked to show a "Yes" on the SUNY COVID verification app and to have done their daily health screening. Appopriate masking and distancing also will be required.