Ontaria Wods
Worry - Free Wednesday
Students were encouraged to take a pin to advertise and show support for Worry-Free Wednesdays. They were located on the table among other crafts. Photo Cred: Ontaria Woods
Play-Doh and other crafts were placed on the table for students used as a stress-reliever and coping techniques. Photo Credit: Ontaria Woods
This embossing kit is a new addition to Worry-Free Wednesdays. Students can use the embossing patterns, clay, and essential oils to create necklaces and keychains. Photo Credit: Liz Nieves
Wicked, top right, and Gatlin, bottom right, were there to provide comfort, therapy and relaxation to students attending Worry-Free Wednesday. Photo Credit: Liz Nieves
Dog Obedience Trainer Leslie Sprando performed tricks with Wicked and Gatlin to entice the crowd during Worry-Free Wednesday. The Statesboro Therapy Dogs are certified stress relievers. Photo Credit: Conrad Graham
Worry-Free Wednesday attendee and GSU student Amber Smith took advantage of the adult coloring book while talking with Wellness Ambassador Brittney Botts about how coloring never gets old, and is always a stress reliever. Photo Credit: Ontaria Woods
Smith adds more color to her photo as she focuses on finishing her photo. Students had the option to take a coloring page with them or sit at the table and color with Wellness Ambassadors. Photo Credit: Ontaria Woods
Smith chose the color purple to complete her masterpiece. She wanted to add as much color to her photo as possible.
Smith chose a flower as her photo to color. There were other designs for students to color with the option to use marker, crayons, or colored pencils.
Georgia Southern students were invited to attend Worry-Free Wednesday in the Russell Union Commons to balance out the stress and anxiety caused by upcoming midterms.
Hosted by the Campus Recreation and Intramurals Department, Worry-Free Wednesday activities included adult coloring, making stress balls, and playing with Statesboro Therapy Dogs.
According to Wellness Ambassador Lauren Ashley Denby, Worry-Free Wednesdays is a table that develops stress relief and coping mechanisms, and it takes place every last Wednesday of the month.
"This is just to promote distressing during the week,” Kellie Clendennin, a Public Health major and Wellness Program intern said. “Just helping people find ways to relieve stress.”
Going to the gym and working out isn’t the only way to reduce stress Clendennin mentioned. Any crafting helps, and it benefits her when she wants to distress.
Students who attended the event found it useful and stress relieving. English major Tralen Rhone said he’s been “slowly dying” with quizzes and tests, and after missing lasts week’s relief event, he couldn’t miss this one.
In addition to crafting activities, the furry and friendly friends Wicked and Gatlin of the Statesboro Therapy Dogs were there to provide relaxation for students.
Leslie Sprando, Therapist, and Dog Obedience Instructor said that the dogs Wicked and Gatlin are certified and insured, and they have the temperament to provide stress relief and therapy.
“Not all dogs are therapy dogs, they are born I think not made,” Sprando said.
Students were also able to play with Play-Doh and a recently added embossing kit with essential oils where students were able to make scented necklaces and key chains with clay.
“They say that if you’re keeping your mind occupied with something in your hands, you’re more like to concentrate, that’s why they have Play-Doh,” Clendennin said.
According to Clendennin, there will be one last Worry-Free Wednesday held on the last Wednesday in April. Students are encouraged to attend as they prepare for final exams.