Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ

With winter term comes a mix of a changes to campus.Ìý Days get shorter, the weather gets colder, andÌýschedules fill up.ÌýÌýAnd, honestly, that can leave usÌýfeeling a littleÌýmore stressed, down, or exhausted than usual.ÌýÌýÌý

There are many resources on campus that can help students get through anyÌýrough patchesÌýtheyÌýmay be experiencing.ÌýFrom taking care of mental health to finding ways to have fun during a snowy Wisconsin winter, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ has the resources available to helpÌýall of usÌýfeelÌýourÌýbest.Ìý

1. Try the Sanvello appÌý

Did you know all Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ students now have access to a mobile app designed to relieve the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression?Ìý Thanks to the Kaitlin Mahr LibraryÌýFund,ÌýÌýis completely free to all Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ students!ÌýSimply download the app on your smartphone and create an account using your Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ email to receive access to 100% ofÌýSanvello’sÌýcontent.Ìý

WhileÌýSanvelloÌýdoes not replace mental health services, it can help to further the overall well-being of students in addition to the other services Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ provides.ÌýÌýSanvelloÌýoffers daily mood tracking, guided journeys, coping tools, weekly check-ins, meditation, and community support.ÌýEven better, students can chooseÌýwhetherÌýthey would like to share theirÌýSanvelloÌýinformation with a Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ counselor to enhance their counseling sessions.Ìý

2. Get yourself a mindÌýspaÌý

Sometimes in a frenzy of exams, essays, and extracurriculars, we forget to take a step back and set aside time to give our brains the break that they deserve.ÌýÌýWe haveÌýfour spots on campus dedicated to doing just that.ÌýChoose from one of fourÌýÌýon campus to recover, refocus, and rejuvenate your mind.ÌýAtÌý³¾¾±²Ô»åÌý²õ±è²¹²õ, students are given a quiet space where they can relax in a full-body massage chair and receive coaching on meditation.Ìý

Scheduling an appointment at theÌýmindÌýspaÌýcouldn’t be easier.ÌýSimply call 920-832-6574 or emailÌýWellnessServices@Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ.eduÌýto visit the mainÌýmindspaÌýon the second floor of the Wellness Center.ÌýThisÌýmindÌýspaÌýis open fromÌý8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ìýon weekdays.ÌýThreeÌýotherÌýminiÌý³¾¾±²Ô»åÌý²õ±è²¹²õÌýare available at the Conservatory, Sage, and Hiett.Ìý

3. Seek sunlight (sort of) in a SADÌýlampÌý

WhileÌýthe snow can makeÌýcampus look especially wonderful, with winter also comes much shorter, darker days.Ìý This can make students feel more down than usual, sometimes even causingÌý.ÌýThat’s why Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ hasÌýSADÌýlamps – actual lampsÌýmeant to mimic sunlight located in select buildings on campus.Ìý

How can aÌýSADÌýlampÌýhelp?ÌýSunlight spurs the production of serotonin (the hormone responsible for feeling calm, happy, and focused) while darkness signals the release of melatonin (the hormone responsible for feeling sleepy.)ÌýDue to this, it’s no surprise that when students receive less sunlight in the winter, they often feel more lethargic and tired than usual.ÌýWith aÌýSADÌýlamp, studentsÌýcanÌýreceive artificial lighting that tricks their brains into thinking it is still light outside.ÌýThis way, your brain will produce more serotonin during the day, and hold off on producing melatonin until you are ready to go to bed.ÌýSADÌýlamps can be found in the libraryÌýon the fourth floorÌýand in the Wellness Center Mind Spa.Ìý

If you think you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder, it is important that you see a counselor in addition to using a Happy Lamp.ÌýSee how to make an appointment below.

4. Reach out for counseling

College life is full of ups and downs.ÌýSometimes when we are at a low point, it helps to talk to another person confidentially.ÌýAt Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ, counselors are available for free to help you with academic stress, roommate issues, mental health, relationships, drug/alcohol use, or anything else that may be bringing you down.Ìý

Whether counseling is something you have done before or not, there is no reason to be worried.ÌýThe Wellness Center staff will be there to guide you through the process of making an appointment, and the counselors will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.Ìý

To make an appointment, simply stop by the front desk on the second floor of the Wellness Center and complete some initial paperwork.ÌýAfter that, someone will help you schedule your first appointment.Ìý Counseling appointments are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Ìý

If you would like to speak to a counselor right away and cannot wait for an appointment, stop by the Counseling Center during walk-in hours, Monday through Friday, with check in between 1 and 2:30 p.m.Ìý

If you need to talk to someone outside of walk-in hours, do not hesitate to call the 24-hour Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ Counseling Line at 920-419-8167.ÌýÌýÌý

For more information on Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s Counseling Services, visit the websiteÌý.Ìý

5. Stay activeÌýÌý

SometimesÌýin the midst ofÌýa snowy winter, it’s easy to forget about the wide array of physical activities you can find indoors on campus.ÌýThe Wellness Center houses a weight room, exercise room, gymnasium, racquetballÌýcourts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a gymnasium with an elevated track.ÌýJust ask the front desk to rentÌýany sports equipment.Ìý

If you want to get more fit but aren’t sure where to start, consider joining one of Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s organized athletic activities.ÌýThis term, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ has four intramural leagues: basketball, volleyball, badminton, and soccer. You can find the times that they meetÌý.ÌýÌýIf none of the intramurals appeal to you, keep an eye out for yoga and TRX on the Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ calendar.

Exercise has many more benefits than just keeping you physically fit.Ìý It can help you get better sleep,Ìýenhance your brain function by increasing the blood flow to your brain,Ìýimprove your moodÌýby increasing the production of endorphins,Ìýand it can even improve your energy levels.ÌýEvenÌýas little asÌý20 minutes a day can make a difference.Ìý

6. Schedule fun with friendsÌý

Although it may not seem like it, setting aside time for fun is just as important as setting aside time for schoolwork.ÌýWithout mixing a few fun activities into your weekly schedule, it’s easy toÌýburnÌýout before the end of the term.ÌýThere areÌýopportunities every single day to take a breather from school and enjoy life on campus.ÌýCheck theÌýÌýonline or Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’sÌýMondayÌýÌýstory for a full list of fun events coming up soon.

Every Friday and Saturday, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ screens a new movie in theÌýWarchÌýCampus Center Cinema.ÌýTo see what’s playing, check theÌýÌýonlineÌýor stop byÌýWarchÌýand check out the movie posters outside of the cinema.Ìý

In addition, SOUP hosts a variety of larger campus events throughout the year.ÌýWhether it be comedians, silent discos, or the Winter Carnival, SOUP never fails to bring amazing events right to campus.ÌýOne event SOUP is cooking up for spring is the LU Zoo Days.ÌýGet excited for live music, grill-outs, and even a dunk tank.Ìý

7. Pop the bubbleÌý

While Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ is a great place to call home, everyone needs a break from campus from time to time to explore allÌýthe great things Appleton has to offer.ÌýÑî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ is located in the heart of downtown, so there is lots to do within a short walk.Ìý

College Avenue has something for everyone’sÌýtaste buds. From coffee shops, to candy stores, to family-run restaurants, to bubble tea, and more, it’s hard to get around to trying everything during your time here.Ìý Grab a few friends and eat something other than Toppers for once.Ìý

Appleton is also home toÌýsomeÌýgreat museums.ÌýEver wonder what that castle-like building next to theÌýConservatoryÌýis?ÌýThat’s the History Museum at the Castle, where you can learnÌýabout the life of Harry Houdini and the history of Appleton.ÌýIt’s notÌýevery dayÌýthat you go into a castle to learn about a magician.ÌýNot far from this is the Trout Museum of Art.ÌýLocated just a short walk from campus, visit today to be inspired by the incredible work ofÌýAppleton’s artists.ÌýGetting off campus every so oftenÌýcan give us a break from our daily routine and leave us feeling more refreshed when we return to campus.Ìý

Winter can leave us feeling a little more down than usual, and that’s OK.Ìý Many people on campus are experiencing similar feelings and there are lots of resources andÌýpeople ready to help us get back on our feet.Ìý Remember to take care of yourself,ÌýandÌýnext time you are feeling down, give a few things on this list a try.Ìý