Whether you are celebrating romantic love, self-love, or platonic love, this day is a fun way to de-stress, get creative and have some fun. Check out this couples card conversation starter or this page of ideas for sweet Valentine’s day decorations. For more tips of enjoying Valentine’s Day even during COVID times check out this article! Also, see more benefits of dark chocolate here, there is no reason to feel guilty for enjoying some!
Ongoing Wellness Activities:
Virtual Drop-in meditation – two offerings:
These drop-in group sessions will help you come into the present moment, lower anxiety, reduce isolation, and improve focus/concentration!
- Every Thursday at 12:30pm, Dr. Christina Pastan, Director, Mind-Body Wellness, School of Dental Medicine offers a 20-minute session which begins with a short talk about an aspect of meditation followed by a guided experience.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://tufts.zoom.us/j/98016256791?pwd=M0JOWUNEbThvSS9sQjVxTG5JYmJpQT09
The TUSM Mindfulness and Meditation Group is back and expanding! In addition to our weekly drop-in meditation sessions, we’re incorporating additional wellness and integrative medicine opportunities, so we’re ~rebranding~ and are now the Mindfulness, Meditation and Wellness Group (MMWG). We are planning to have related speakers and resources available for students. The MMWG is open to all students, and we look forward to seeing some new faces! Feel free to reach out to leadership to be added to the listserv (emma.noyes@tufts.edu, alexia.soteropoulos@tufts.edu), and feel free to complete out our anonymous google poll (https://forms.gle/Xmw9Zn5MkVZeA3AE8) with feedback!
The next session will be held on Tuesday 2/16 @ 12pm.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://tufts.zoom.us/j/94039606817?pwd=cDVkbnIvNG5hWkQ5Y0QralJtR2g2UT09
Meeting ID: 940 3960 6817 Passcode: 001232
Virtual Yoga offerings:
Practicing yoga is said to come with many benefits for both mental and physical health. To learn about the benefits of yoga check out the nine-benefits-of-yoga article from John Hopkins Medicine. In addition, join us during one of the below offerings to get started or to continue your journey.
- Restorative Yoga offered by Dr. Pastan, via Zoom on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. Wear comfortable clothing and if you have a yoga mat or towel have them available. Please log on 5 minutes before the start of class and get yourself situated for practice. Participants will not to be able to enter the class after 5:10pm. Participants video will not be seen, and no experience is necessary. Dr. Pastan is looking forward to seeing you on the mat!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://tufts.zoom.us/j/94169644334?pwd=YW9wb1k0ZmlweHJxWU4zL2lOSXI1QT09
- Yoga Sculpt Zoom Class – If you are you looking to mix things up and get your heart rate pumping then join us for Yoga Sculpt. This is a yoga flow class that incorporates cardio movements, weight training, and upbeat music. All levels are welcome, and weights are optional! This series of classes will be facilitated by Julia Citron, TUSM class of 2024. Julia has been teaching for one year and is excited to share her expertise with you. You will be challenged and inspired!
The next session will be held on Wednesday, March 3rd at 5:30pm.
Zoom link will follow.
Saturdays Morning Yoga
Facilitated by Kim Daniels, DPT – come find your inner yogi! Zoom link below.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://tufts.zoom.us/j/95047409372?pwd=M3pRcFU1bmFxWTdGVktFeDJkcHRIdz09
Weekly Step Challenge Saturdays – Fridays at 9:00am EST
Who is ready for some healthy competition? After multiple requests and by popular demand we are restarting the weekly step challenge! Walk on your own or in a physical distant social group. Please record your steps below and we will randomly select a winner from each program at the end of the week. To be eligible for weekly drawings steps must be entered by 9:00am on Fridays.
Winners will receive a GC to Grubhub, Sweetgreen, or Tatte. Let’s get moving, Jumbos!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lneGu48LU1KlTkr76y282BzPj9O0QNPXCNFjKM2q1Ho/edit?usp=sharing
The total of 1,645,521 steps were walked this week. The randomly selected winners are:
Rayne Whitten, TUSM/Maine Track
Nicole Cassarino, MPH
Emily Yeo, Friedman
Abby Lemons, TUSM/GSBS
Zeel Patel, TUSDM
Avi Patel, TUSM
The person who accumulated the most steps for this week is Zeel Patel
Other Free virtual at home workouts anywhere, anytime:
The city of Boston is offering free virtual work out classes that range from dancing to yoga to strength training. There are many options such as Barre, Zumba, and Strength Training that will allow you to choose what works for you! Feel free to check it out here!
Les Mills – The Fitness Marshall (hip hop dance) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFitnessMarshall
Bhangra: https://www.youtube.com/user/dopungra
MadFit (Free YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkVHrA5o23o
305 Fitness cardio dance classes: https://www.youtube.com/user/305Fitness
Apartment friendly: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQ34afVgk8cRQBjSJ1xuJQ
Have you tried something fun, new, and exciting during the pandemic? Do you have a story you want to share?
We want to hear from you! We would like for you to share anything you are comfortable sharing with our community, in hopes that we can all feel more connected. Let’s support and inspire each other.
Based on last week’s poll, a few of you are interested in being a part of a Book Club!
Please fill out this quick google form below for us to gather some more information.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVZxh4ispcjD0NeXxTWZU
With the three-day weekend ahead, take the time to catch up on some movies! Below are just a few options that are in line with the Valentine’s Day theme.
- Date Night Trailer
- Love, Simon Trailer
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire Trailer
- The Lovebirds Trailer
- About Time Trailer
- If Beale Street Could Talk Trailer
Why celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Although the history of Valentine’s Day is rooted in Roman and Christian tradition, the modern practice of Valentine’s Day is inclusive and timeless. It is the celebration of love. Whether that love is self-love, romantic love, or platonic love, love is always something to appreciate. Making the time to celebrate love and focus on the positive aspects of life, such as loved ones, is extremely beneficial to one’s mental and emotional well-being. So, whatever this Valentine’s Day may look like for you, take time to reflect on your loving relationships, and tell those you love that you love them. And don’t forget to show yourself some love as well! Enjoy this article that discusses the health benefits of being in love, as well as this article that states seven reasons why loving relationships are good for you.
Also, in honor of Valentine’s Day, try out these fun, festive and healthy recipes below!
Date Night Raw Truffles
These are a fun and super simple tasty treat! Dates and cocoa powder are the main ingredients, making it a healthy yet flavorful dessert or snack. Check out the full recipe from Sweet Simple Vegan here!
Flourless Chocolate Cake
This recipe is perfectly decadent for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re celebrating with yourself, a friend, or a significant other. It takes 40 minutes in total and is worth every minute. Check out the full recipe here!
Heart Healthy Creamy Pasta Alfredo
This is a fun take on a Valentine’s dinner, Thanks to celery root, this recipe is heart healthy, while also being indulgent and delicious. Full recipe here.
Student Wellness Advising is a friendly and accessible hub of support for all students on the Health Science Campus. All services are confidential, private, and free.
Snaggs is available to talk with you by Zoom or telephone. Any student who would like to schedule an appointment is encouraged to do so. Send an email to Sharon.Snaggs@tufts.edu
Student Wellness Advisory Committee:
The Student Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC) acts as a liaison to the Student Wellness Advisor. SWAC is comprised of a diverse group of student volunteers from all programs on the Boston Health Science Campus.
Student Wellness Advisory Committee Members
TalkOne2One
Tufts recognizes the importance of easy access to confidential mental health counseling. Counselors are also available by phone for urgent issues. Please call 1-800-756-3124, there’s somebody to talk to 24/7/365 days a year. To schedule an appointment only, email tuftscounseling@allonehealth.com
If you would like to be spotlighted, or contribute anything at all to the community corner, such as a recipe, book recommendation, favorite tv show, or anything else, please send an email to Sharon.Snaggs@tufts.edu or Danielle.O_Sullivan@tufts.edu
Have any questions, comments, or insights? Reach out to our Social Work Intern, Danielle! Danielle is currently attending Boston College for a master’s degree in social work and is our first Social Work Intern. She is excited to be a part of the Student Wellness Advising Team and has a lot of knowledge about nutrition, health and wellness and is passionate about destigmatizing mental health. Please do not hesitate to reach out to her at Danielle.O_Sullivan@tufts.edu |