Global Campus Programme
De-stress Fest
York St John De-stress Fest, brought to you by Global Campus. Monday 6 November to Friday 10 November 2023.
De-stress Fest is here to help you relax and unwind. Boost your mood with free events happening across campus all week and daily freebies form the Global Campus Hub in Holgate.
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? York St John's De-stress Fest, brought to you by Global Campus, is here to help. From free yoga or breathing sessions to puzzle and game time, and even cuddles with our very own therapy dogs, wellbeing services across campus have come together to help you recharge and relax.
Everyday activities
Puzzle it Out
Fountains Learning Centre, ground floor
In our hyper-connected world with constant demands for our attention, focusing on a single task, like completing a puzzle, can put the mind into a meditation-like state. It creates a sense of peace and tranquillity. Additionally, the brain likes finding patterns, so puzzles satisfy that desire, which improves our mood. Help put the pieces together at the Library’s puzzle station, a permanent fixture for you to enjoy.
Wellbeing Wall
Fountains Learning Centre
Be sure to visit the Wellbeing Wall in Fountains, where you can find a wealth of information about your wellbeing and welfare.
Book swap
Students' Union and Global Campus Hub
Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. A 2009 study found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. Find books to swap at the Students' Union, or for travel and foreign books visit the Global Campus Hub in Holgate.
Peace Garden Walk
Peace Garden
The Peace Garden is situated next to the Chapel near Cordukes. It is a relaxing, calm space where you will find benches, curved paths and a water fountain. We welcome you to enjoy the tranquillity that the peace garden offers. This week we have placed mindfulness tips around the garden, to inspire you to find time to relax and look after yourself.
Give Yourself a Break: Board Games
Students' Union Lounge and Fountains Learning Centre
Many board games lead to bouts of laughter that stimulate endorphins. The simple act of having fun can help boost serotonin, relieve symptoms of anxiety, and increase enthusiasm in other areas of your life. The cupboard in the Students' Union is where you will find boardgames kept, all day, every day. So relax with a friend, choose a game and have some fun.
The Library is also running 30 minute games cafe sessions, every day from 10.00am to 4.00pm so be sure to pop in and join other students with some time out.
Mindful Colouring
Holgate booth 2 and Fountains Learning Centre
Mindful colouring can be used as a form of mindfulness and art therapy, which can improve focus and attention on your surroundings or your emotions at that time. Recent studies have also shown mindful colouring to reduce anxiety and depression. We've put out mindful colouring pages and some large format art for you to enjoy, during the week. The library has colouring stations where you can take some time out and enjoy a little bit of colouring joy.
Stop Stations
Around campus
Do you always have something to do and somewhere to go? These 'stop stations' are perfect for you to take a moment and just do nothing. Taking some time out is a great way to re-centre and relax. The stop stations remind you to close your eyes and count to 10, and take some deep breaths, just to collect your thoughts and slow down.
Next time you are online why not visit the Do Nothing for 2 Minutes website.
