Two new group workshops are helping students manage one of the busiest and most stressful months of the academic year: March.

Co-led by peer health educators and Health Promotion staff in Student Wellness Services, the first workshop, held March 21, focused on the way breathing exercises and stretching can help students to clear their minds and relax, and provided participants with the opportunity to create their own self-care ‘kit’ for stress management. The second workshop, on March 28, will assist students in coping with exam-related stress.

The students involved in delivering the new programs also helped design them. 

"I personally have had issues in the past managing my stress, and similar workshops have helped me cope,” says Natasha Pereira (ArtsSci’19). “I was interested in being a peer leader on the other side of things to help positively impact other students and manage their stress levels. Students need to realize that there is always time to take care of yourself.”

The goal of these sessions include increasing access to information when students need it.

“The drop-in stress management workshops provide students with an easy way to get accurate, practical stress-management information, and most importantly, a chance to connect with their peers to share successes and learn what works for others,” says Kate Humphrys, Health Promotion Coordinator. “We hope these sessions can help students build the skills to manage this busy time of year and feel confident about their health as they enter exams.”

Students can also book Healthy Lifestyle Appointments with Health Promotion professionals and receive individual support to improve their health strategies.

Learn more about the new Stress Management Workshops.

To set up a Healthy Lifestyle appointment, students can fill out the online appointment request form, or contact Kate at humphrys@queensu.ca / 613-533-6712.  You can also book in person at 140 Stuart St. 

For immediate assistance from health and counselling services, contact Student Wellness Services at 613-533-2506 Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM.

For after-hours support or in case of an emergency, please call 911 or Queen's 24-hour Emergency Report Centre at 613 533 6111.