On Feb. 16, several students participated in Self Care Sunday hosted by the Student Engagement Team, an event to help students relax and unwind from academic life.

The event featured painting stations where students could choose to decorate their own boards, rocks, draw in the sketchbooks, and jars.

The variety of options allowed students to explore their creativity while being in a peaceful environment .

Melanie Rooks, Coordinator of Student Engagement, explained the purpose behind Self Care Sunday.

“The mission of Self Care Sunday is to provide an opportunity for students to engage in therapeutic and restorative self care practices that support their mental, emotional, and physical health,” Rooks said.

The idea is to reduce the amount or academic stress and anxiety.

“We (offer) a calming environment where students can practice mindfulness, relaxation, and wellness techniques. I would love to see more students at future events!” she said.

The event drew positive feedback from students who appreciated the opportunity to relax and express themselves creatively.

Sophomore, Jasmyn Layton shared how the event allowed her to combine her love for painting with self care.

“I love to paint, so of course I wanted to come,” Layton said. “I painted a jar that said ‘Love Yourself’ on it, and I’m going to use it as a money jar.”

Layton’s project reflected the personal and meaningful nature of the event and what is it all about, encouraging students to take something positive away from the experience.

Sophomore, Paris Pannell also praised the relaxing environment.

“It was so peaceful, and it’s perfect to be on Sundays when I don’t have any work due and can relax,” Pannell said.

The timing of the event on a Sunday allowed students to reset and prepare for the upcoming week without the added pressure of assignment deadlines.

The positive response from attendees suggested that there can be more events like this one because it’s helping students manage stress and maintain themselves throughout the semester.