Spring Break
In the Counselor's Corner: The Stress Free Zone: Why Do We Do It?
Dr. Jennifer Levy-Peck
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Viewpoints
Most of you know that during the first four days of final exams each semester, the Counseling Center sponsors something called the "Stress Free Zone." For four afternoons, we establish a space in the University Center where students can make stress balls, get a chair massage from a licensed massage therapist, play games, eat a free snack, do arts and crafts, and generally hang out and have a good time. We give door prizes and this year we are even offering an opportunity for students to participate in a biofeedback demonstration. The last couple of years we've taught students who were interested how to knit or crochet so they could participate in making a blanket for charity.
Frankly, the Stress Free Zone is a lot of work for all the Counseling Center staff. The first year I was at UT Martin, before I became Director of the Counseling Center, our then-Director brought the idea of the Stress Free Zone with him from his previous university. He and I were the only two counselors at that time, and he had to go out of town on a business trip for the first few days the SFZ was scheduled. I wound up setting the whole huge project up myself, taping newspaper on the floor to protect it from crafts, and let's just say I wasn't too thrilled about the concept at that time. But then the students started to arrive to enjoy the Zone, and I saw why it was worth all the effort. It was fun! We really do provide an oasis in the desert of stress that comes with final exams, and it is a great project.
For the past nine years, twice a year, I've been involved in putting the Stress Free Zone together and hosting it, along with all of our terrific Counseling Center staff. An extra benefit of the Zone is that students who have never been to the Counseling Center can get to know the counselors in an informal setting and then they often feel more comfortable to seek our services if they need them in the future.
Over the years, I have really enjoyed seeing students come in, smile, and relax almost instantly as they remembered previous Stress Free Zones and the fun they had. Students help each other with projects and come and go as their schedules permit. There is a neighborly atmosphere, and it is a positive diversion from studying nonstop. Some students enjoy having a place to hang out after exams are finished, before it is time to leave campus. It's a pleasure to see their creative efforts with paint, play-dough, and collage materials, and to hear the laughter of students playing board games or making stress balls (which can get a little messy at times!). The worry melts off of people's faces and they leave with a livelier step and a more relaxed expression.
We hope to see you this year - we put the effort into being your hosts so that you can be at your best!
Frankly, the Stress Free Zone is a lot of work for all the Counseling Center staff. The first year I was at UT Martin, before I became Director of the Counseling Center, our then-Director brought the idea of the Stress Free Zone with him from his previous university. He and I were the only two counselors at that time, and he had to go out of town on a business trip for the first few days the SFZ was scheduled. I wound up setting the whole huge project up myself, taping newspaper on the floor to protect it from crafts, and let's just say I wasn't too thrilled about the concept at that time. But then the students started to arrive to enjoy the Zone, and I saw why it was worth all the effort. It was fun! We really do provide an oasis in the desert of stress that comes with final exams, and it is a great project.
For the past nine years, twice a year, I've been involved in putting the Stress Free Zone together and hosting it, along with all of our terrific Counseling Center staff. An extra benefit of the Zone is that students who have never been to the Counseling Center can get to know the counselors in an informal setting and then they often feel more comfortable to seek our services if they need them in the future.
Over the years, I have really enjoyed seeing students come in, smile, and relax almost instantly as they remembered previous Stress Free Zones and the fun they had. Students help each other with projects and come and go as their schedules permit. There is a neighborly atmosphere, and it is a positive diversion from studying nonstop. Some students enjoy having a place to hang out after exams are finished, before it is time to leave campus. It's a pleasure to see their creative efforts with paint, play-dough, and collage materials, and to hear the laughter of students playing board games or making stress balls (which can get a little messy at times!). The worry melts off of people's faces and they leave with a livelier step and a more relaxed expression.
We hope to see you this year - we put the effort into being your hosts so that you can be at your best!
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