Rhodes celebrates ‘Self-Care Week’ during midterm exams

Equine+therapy+courtesy+of+the+Counseling+Center

Photo courtesy of Rhodes College

Equine therapy courtesy of the Counseling Center

Hannah Miller '22, Staff Writer

The Rhodes Counseling Center hosted a variety of carefree activities on campus as a way for students to destress and practice mindfulness. These events were geared towards promoting the importance of mental self-care, which can often be forgotten during the stressful season of studying for midterm exams. “[My] two main desires in regards to my role are for the campus at large to recognize the importance of holistic well-being, and for our students to recognize that their well-being is not siloed,” said Olivia Lee, the Coordinator for Student Health and Wellness. “One’s physical well-being impacts their mental and emotional well-being which impacts their academic well-being, and so on. Given this perspective, I see Self-Care Week as both a week-long reminder of the interconnectedness of different dimensions of well-being, as well as a multitude of opportunities to attend to these connections.”

Self-Care Week kicked off its activities with a round of equine therapy, having horses on campus to show students and faculty members the benefits of horses for stress management. Students were seen sharing smiles and playing with the animals. The Counseling Center also opened the new group therapy room to students as a way for them to meditate and practice their mindfulness, followed by a group meditation session led by Dr. Dhammi Musse. The following day, masseuses were stationed in the Rat to give students a chance to relax and have a massage before lunch and the ongoing stress of classes. Students were seen making good use of this “relaxation station”, with a large group of people waiting in line for a massage. At night, a “Wellness Through Yoga” event was held in the BCLC, where students were encouraged to join and practice yoga. Mats and blankets were provided, and Michelle Kelly provided useful tips and tricks for successful yoga moves. The week ended with “Rocks, Smocks, and Mocks” in West Village, where students could paint a Rhodes rock and relax, as well as enjoy some “mocktails.”