Stressbusters is a nationwide college health program that helps students rediscover relaxation. At UMB, we are committed to spreading awareness about stress and anxiety, creating supportive programming, and providing resources designed to help students in academic success. You've been go-go-going and we want you to take a breather. Sooth the stress away with a variety of simple and creative ways to feel relief during finals season.

Fall 2021 Stressbusters will run from Monday, November 15 through Friday, December 3.  Please check back as programs will continue to be updated.

Week 1:

Monday, November 15

• Take Paws w/Lexi Tabling Event - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. SMC Campus Center Lobby:   Stop by and take a Paws (pause) with Lexi, UMB's Campus Police comfort dog.  Lexi will be spinning the prize wheel and marketing the various Stressbuster events across the next three weeks.  Due to previous commitments Lexi will only be available until 11:30a.m. but the prize wheel will keep rolling until 1 p.m. with various give-a-ways.  No pre-registration required.  Just stop by and join the fun!
• Deep Sleep/Restful Meditation - 7 to 7:30 p.m. - Via Zoom:  Restful sleep has more to do with quality of rest than quantity of hours. Sleep meditation can help create the conditions needed for a truly restful night.  Learn how to settle the mind and use what you learn to have more restful sleep during finals as well as every night.  Pre-registration required.

Tuesday, November 16

• Creative Gratitude and Traditions Puzzles Tabling Event - 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - SMC Campus Center Lobby:  When we express gratitude, we feel better.  Our thinking is focused on a more positive purpose.  Creating art or coloring can improve concentration and self-awareness. Stop by and pick up a pieace of the "Creative Gratitude Puzzle" or the "Creative Traditions Puzzle".  Create your own unique gratitude puzzle piece.  Completed puzzle pieces must be returned to URecFit and Wellness no later than 9 a.m. Wednesday, December 1.  No pre-registration required.  Just stop by and join the fun!
• Wise Self Care for Life - 6 to 6:30 p.m. - Via Zoom - Join this 30 minute presentation to learn about self care and what you can do to improve your overall wellness.  Pre-registration required.

Wednesday, November 17

• Yoga with Marissa - 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. - Via Zoom - Yoga can help reduce stress by encouraging mental and physical relaxation as well as promoting flexibility and relieving tension.  Pre-registration required.
• Share a Favorite Poem or Verse - 7 to 7:30 p.m. - Via Zoom -  Reading can relax your body by lowering your heart rate and ease tension in your muscles.  Share with us and read your favorite poem and/or verse.  Pre-registration required.

Thursday, November 18

• Replay:  Cello Meditation - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - On Campus at the Campus Center (Elm Room A) - Enjoy a replay of last spring's cello meditation sponsored by the USGA.  Center your mind and body with a guided cello meditation by The Wong Janice. The Wong Janice is a meditation teacher and cellist based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, who creates cello journeys for meditation, relaxation and sleep. Dive deep into meditation with beautiful live cello music.  Boxed dinner provided to on campus student attendees.  Limited to 25 student attendees.  Pre-registration is required.

Week 2:

Monday, November 22

• Meditation and Visualization:  6 to 6:30 p.m. - Via Zoom - Join us as visualization, a stand alone mindfulness technique, is incorporated into a meditation.  Pre-registration required.

Tuesday, November 23

• Take Paws w/Lexi Tabling Event - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. 4th Floor Campus Center - URecFit and Wellness Lobby:   Stop by and take a Paws (pause) with Lexi, UMB's Campus Police comfort dog.  Lexi will be spinning the prize wheel and marketing the various Stressbuster events across the next two weeks.  No pre-registration required.  Just stop by and join the fun!
• Yoga with Marissa - 5:30 to 6:15p.m. - Elm Room A - Yoga can help reduce stress by encouraging mental and physical relaxation as well as promoting flexibility and relieving tension.  Boxed dinner provided to on campus student attendees.  Limited to 25 student attendees.  Pre-registration required.

Week 3:

Monday, November 29

• Self Massage to Neutralize Stress:  6:30 to 7:00 p.m. - Via Zoom - Massage is one of the best antidotes to stress. Join in to learn some helpful tips on how to self-massage for relaxing and to de-stress.  Pre-registration is required.
  

Tuesday, November 30

• Meditation with Progressive Muscle Relaxation:  7 to 7:30 p.m. - Via Zoom - Join us as progressive muscle relaxation, a relaxation technique, is incorporated into a meditation.  Pre-registration required.

Wednesday, December 1

• Replay:  Burnout: Managing Wellbeing - On Campus at the Campus Center (Elm Room A) - Noon to 1 p.m. - Enjoy a replay of last spring's presentation by Dr. Cassie Moon from the Student Counseling Center where she discusses ways to manage burnout through stress management.  Discover how to improve your overall wellbeing by learning some skills on self-compassion and how to better notice your stress levels (and when you are at most risk of burnout).  The Student Counseling Center will be tabling at the event as well.  Boxed lunch provided to on campus student attendees.  Limited to 25 student attendees.  Pre-registration required.

Friday, December 3

• Pawtytime - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  SMC Campus Center Lobby: - Come take a Paws (pause) with a furry friend (dog), grab a snack and see the unveiling of the creative puzzles, 1) Gratitude and 2) Traditions.  No pre-registration required.  Just stop by and join the fun!

Use the hashtag #stressbusters2021 to show off how you are taking care of yourself during finals. Follow UMB Student Affairs on social media for photos from the Stressbuster events and information about other ways to practice self-care.