EMU Today

YPSILANTI – To celebrate National Stress Awareness Month, Eastern Michigan University's Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility is providing three events for students, faculty and staff to help manage high-stress levels.

April marks National Stress Awareness Month – an opportunity to raise awareness about the treatments available for the growing stress epidemic in our country. Stress is linked to physical, mental and emotional health, and supporting activities can help individuals learn what triggers stress and how to manage it. 

Nicholas Pomante, wellness coordinator at EMU, gathers data to help deliver programs and services catered to students. "When we assess student needs, student interest, and our student population's health, our campus follows a national trend," said Pomante. "People want more access to the things that will help them manage stress, remain resilient and maintain their mental wellbeing."

Pomante, in conjunction with the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility, is providing three events that can help manage stress. While these won't eliminate one's stress, the first step in managing stress is incorporating tools and resources. If you're experiencing stress or related issues, consider signing up for these upcoming events:

• Yoga for Mental Health: Participants can take care of themselves and their mental health with the Yoga for Mental Health series. Each workshop will employ yoga, meditation and conversation in a safe environment to discuss different areas of mental well-being to understand the mind-body connection. The final session of this series will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 18, in the REC/IM Yoga Studio.  
• Happiness Hop: Interested participants can relieve stress and take a break with bunnies. Flurry, Urszula, and the bunnies will be on campus to help melt worries. The final Happiness Hop will occur at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, in room 320 in the Student Center on EMU's Main Campus. 

According to Pomante, monthly yoga sessions provide students an outlet and an opportunity to develop a new practice. "Our Yoga For Mental Health series highlights the mind-body connection and its role in managing stress and maintaining mental health," said Pomante. "Therapy animal programs help students relieve acute symptoms of stress while providing the opportunity for social connection and a sense of community while hanging out with the animals."

To maintain physical distancing, please visit the link to register for a time slot at tiny.emich.edu/winterhop. For more information or to participate in any of the events, go to emich.edu/calendar or email npomante@emich.edu. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the university's website.