Stress is a pervasive issue that affects people all over the world. This is particularly true for students, who often have to deal with high-levels of stress due to academic pressures, social worries, and concerns about the future. In response to this, students at the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, part of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, have come together to create a unique solution to help manage and alleviate stress: a relief cabinet.
Made as part of a major class project for a course on stress and health, the relief cabinet is designed to give fellow students practical resources and information about stress management. These range from coloring books and yoga mats to positive affirmation notes and stress relief pamphlets. But the cabinet isn’t just about providing physical objects. It also features a QR code that links to a Spotify playlist filled with relaxing music and sounds that can be accessed anytime, anywhere to relieve stress.
According to Tiffany Haynes, Ph.D., an associate professor involved in the project, being a graduate student can be particularly stressful and fostering a culture within the college that emphasizes wellness is vital. The relief cabinet was seen as a practical step towards creating that culture of wellness.
The decision to create the cabinet was not arbitrary. Data shows a strong link between stress and negative impacts on mental and physical health. Because of this, the students involved in the project adamantly believe in the importance of providing ways to manage tension and anxieties.
But the project went beyond just creating a resource; it sought also to address and identify common sources of stress among students. The class interviewed their peers to understand what those stressors were, producing recommendations on how the faculty and school could help students better manage these issues.
Key among those recommendations was the promotion of practices to improve students’ emotional and physical well-being. Lachan Siebenmorgen, an assistant professor at UAMS and one of the students in the stress and health course, lauded the project as a way of giving back to her fellow students.
She emphasized the importance of self-care and the need for open discussions around stress. The entire course was not just a learning journey for her, but also an opportunity to further explore the dangers of stress and effective ways to combat it.
Another student, Tyrone Gamble, appreciated the comprehensive focus of the course on understanding stress and its harmful impact, while Rachel Hale found the mindfulness sessions beneficial. Ishu Karki pointed towards the different perceptions of stress as an important aspect of the course and appreciated the stress management techniques that were imparted to students.
Haynes was optimistic about the impact of the project, hoping that the stress management cabinet will inspire similar initiatives in other colleges and universities. The stress management tools, supplemented by the education received in the course, could be instrumental in improving the well-being and productivity of students.
Looking beyond just the university setting, learning about stress management is essential for everyone. As Hale pointed out, it’s crucial for people to understand how to properly manage stress, as it impacts their overall well-being. The mindful approach taken by students at the UAMS is a great step towards a healthier lifestyle. It serves as a reminder to everyone about the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health, highlighting the impact of stress, and providing practical tools to manage it effectively.
