Universities create ‘coping spaces’ for students with election stress

[Jack Aylmer]

WHEN LIFE IS STRESSING YOU OUT…. HAVE YOU EVER FELT THE URGE TO PUT TOGETHER A LEGO SET? OR FILL IN THE LINES ON A COLORING BOOK? WELL NOW THESE ARE AMONG SEVERAL ACTIVITIES COLLEGE CAMPUSES ARE USING TO HELP STUDENTS KEEP ELECTION DAY ANXIETY AT BAY.

FROM MINDFULNESS EXERCISES TO NO-PHONE ZONES, UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE INTRODUCING WHAT THEY’RE CALLING “COPING SPACES” FOR STUDENTS TO FIND A BIT OF RELIEF DURING THIS CRISIS OF CORTISOL.

THE FREE PRESS REPORTED STUDENTS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A UNIQUE “SELF-CARE SUITE” THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION .

IT’S AN ALL-DAY SCHEDULE PACKED WITH SOOTHING ACTIVITIES… EVERYTHING FROM TEA AND COCOA BREAKS TO LEGO-BUILDING, COLORING, AND MINDFULNESS EXERCISES. ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL, THESE ACTIVITIES AIM TO GIVE STUDENTS A CHANCE TO DE-STRESS IN THE WAKE OF THE ELECTION RESULTS.

AND THIS ISN’T THE ONLY PLACE… SEVERAL COLLEGES ACROSS AMERICA ARE INTRODUCING THEIR OWN PUBLIC SANCTUARIES, INCLUDING UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER’S ‘PEACE SPACE’ BEING ADVERTISED AROUND CAMPUS, FEATURING RELAXING MUSIC AND CRAFTING EXERCISES.

AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY… STUDENTS CAN VISIT A “NO PHONE ZONE” WITH DIFFERENT THERAPY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A RELAXING ESCAPE FROM THE NOISE OF THE ELECTION.

“All the sigmas go to the relaxation station at the counseling center… It’s got a massage chair, yoga equipment and much more… It’s lowkey pretty fire.
Light therapy… Sand… fidgets..”

AND WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS IS RUNNING “ENGAGE DEMOCRACY 2024,” WHICH OFFERS DROP-IN COUNSELING SESSIONS, WHERE STUDENTS CAN TALK ONE-ON-ONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OR DEBRIEF IN SMALL GROUPS. THE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT’S COMMITTED TO HELPING STUDENTS HANDLE ANY ANXIETY OR STRESS THAT MAY COME WITH THE ELECTION OUTCOME.

THESE SPACES ARE PART OF A BROADER TREND IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH DURING HIGH-STRESS EVENTS. AS ELECTION DAY UNFOLDS, THESE UNIVERSITIES HOPE THAT A FEW MINDFUL ACTIVITIES MIGHT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HELPING STUDENTS KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M JACK AYLMER.