UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With finals week approaching, Penn State will host a Care Fair to provide students with opportunities to reduce stress, practice meditation and support their overall well-being.
“The Care Fair is a fun, interactive opportunity for students to take a break and learn about mindfulness, stress management and sleep,” said Erin Raupers, assistant director of Health Promotion and Wellness. “I think students will really enjoy this new and unique event. We designed it to create an opportunity for students to learn coping strategies they can use throughout their academic career, but especially at the end of the semester.”
The fair will take place on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center’s Heritage Hall. There will be four highlighted events – mediation sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and mindfulness readings from the “I Am…” book series by Susan Verde at noon and 1 p.m.
The fair will feature several hands-on stations where students can engage in a range of relaxing activities, including:
- Practice deep breathing and participate in a muscle relaxation body scan with biofeedback software
- Learn how to improve sleep quality
- Make a “Mind Jar” with water and glitter glue
- Build a mini sculpture with kinetic sand
- Color in a Penn State coloring book
- Create an origami crane and learn about the art of Japanese paper folding
- Set a mindful intention
Students can stop by the Care Fair any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Resources will be provided, including a “Manage Stress” workbook and sleep kits.
The Care Fair is a collaboration between Health Promotion and Wellness, Health and Human Development, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Residence Life and Campus Recreation — all units of Student Affairs.