Spring ‘Wellness’ series begins Jan. 25

01/24/2023 

SUNY Cortland is hosting the Spring 2023 “Wellness Wednesday Series” featuring speakers, demonstrations, podcasts and other programs intended to encourage campus members to learn more about health and wellness.

Programs continue through the spring semester with topics including yoga, men and relationships, healthy practices and activities, managing stress and social and mental health.

Sponsored by the Health Promotion Office, the series will take place on Wednesdays. The events are free and open to the public.

On Jan. 25, “Intro to Yoga” will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Student Life Center Mind Body Room. Andrea Giuliano will lead this hatha yoga class that is good for beginners and advanced yoga practitioners. This class combines physical postures, breathwork and mindfulness to create a complete system of exercise for the mind, body and soul. Comfortable clothing is recommended and in-person attendance is first come, first served to the first 40 participants who show up for class. In-person class will have yoga mats provided.

SUNY Cortland will be “Celebrating 10 Years of Tobacco and Nicotine Free” on Feb. 1. A reception and ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge, presented by the Tobacco and Nicotine Advisory Committee and sponsored by The President’s Office. An RSVP is requested.

On Feb. 8, a podcast titled “Men and Relationships” will be launched on Soundcloud. The podcast features three male students who share their thoughts about relationships.

Michael Turner, director of The Writing Center, and Christina Knopf, professor of communications and media studies, will lead a discussion on Feb. 15 titled “Techniques to Cope with Public Speaking Anxiety” from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge. Public speaking regularly tops the lists of people's most common fears - but it’s also a skill valued by employers. If negative thoughts, troubled emotions, or unpleasant physical sensations make public speaking difficult for you, this session will help you identify and understand the cause and form of your apprehension and give you tools to help you manage it.

On Feb. 22, “Perfectly Imperfect: Eating, Exercise and Body Image” will be presented by national speaker Jenni Schaefer. From 7 to 8 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge, Schaefer will discuss finding balance with eating and exercise as well as learning how to love your body. She will talk about transforming the perfectionism that keeps many people stuck in unhealthy relationships with food and their bodies. Discover, like Schafer did when she overcame an eating disorder, that ending calorie counting and body loathing will open your life up to so much more — to truly living.

Hazing is the topic on March 1. “Not Us, Not This Time: A New Approach to Hazing Prevention” will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 in Corey Union Function Room. Presented by Sara Lowery from CampuSpeak, attendees will learn how to create bonds without the use of hazing practices, think of innovative ways to create a sense of belonging, and create an experience(s) where group members are strengthened and empowered.

On March 8, Health Promotion and Prevention Education will be in the Student Life Center lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., giving away free items and reviewing tips on how to have a “Safe Spring Break.”

“Eat Right, Bite by Bite” is the topic for March 22, with information tables in the Student Life Center lobby between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Carolyn Allen, CAS dietitian, and Kayla Sweeney ’22, graduate assistant in the Health Promotion Office, will be on hand to share strategies on how small changes to diet can have a cumulative effect on health over time.

On March 29, learn why exercise isn’t just important for your physical wellness but your mental wellness and more. Sweeney will be on hand to discuss “Exercise Your Mind and Body” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Life Center lobby.

On April 5, the It’s On Us Action Team will present “Behind the Post” from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in the Corey Union Exhibition Lounge. Social media can skew our view of the relationships around us and in some cases, influence our decisions to stay in unhealthy ones. A short video from the One Love Foundation and a discussion will help explain the signs of an unhealthy relationship and the role social media can play.

The Counseling Center staff will be on hand to present “Benefits of Gratitude” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12 in the Student Life Center lobby. Gratitude is the expression of appreciation and recognition for what you have and there are benefits to being grateful.

Play some “Cannabis Trivia” with Marissa Whitaker, prevention educator, on April 19 from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge. Prizes will be awarded and it’s a great chance to test your knowledge and maybe learn something new.

Those needing special accommodations to fully participate can contact kayla.sweeney@cortland.edu