WellU hosts “Love Well”, a week long program on self love and care

WEB_20180212_WellU_hhalloran_71.jpg

Natasha Breu

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, along with National Random Acts of Kindness Day, a health promotion group, WellU, has taken matters into its own hands by creating a week long program called Love Well.

This event consists of daily activities geared toward improving psychological wellness.

Daniella Izaguirre, a graduate student involved with student wellness, said the events will be good exposure for the often overlooked importance of psychological wellness.

“It allows students to step out of their comfort zones and talk positively about self love and care,” Izaguirre said.

The week started Monday in Downing Student Union with a “positivity day.”

To focus on self-love and care, students were able to write down positive affirmations on white boards and even earn WellU credit.

On Tuesday, there will be a yoga mat and blender bottle giveaway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the WellU Instagram.

Valentine’s Day will be Wholesome Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in DSU where students can stop by to learn about nutrition and enjoy some dark chocolate covered almonds.

Thursday will consist of partner yoga from 4-4:45 p.m. in the Preston Center’s multi-purpose room. A raffle will take place where three winners will receive a diffuser and oils.

On Friday, there will be an informational session on healthy relationships from 12-2 p.m. in DSU led by the Health Education and Promotion department. Students will get the chance to spin a wheel that lands on either a statistic or tip about relationships. Depending on what it lands on, they will categorize it as either healthy or unhealthy.

Izaguirre said the idea for Love Well started originally as a one day event but grew into something more.

“We began thinking how we could promote WellU in the spring semester and thought about doing just one event on one day involving some type of random acts of kindness activity,” Izaguirre said. “We first planned our positivity day and began to expand on the idea of self-love and self-care.”

Izaguirre said she hopes to see the program continue in the coming years because it could have a lasting positive effect.

Piper Keusch, a freshman, said she likes the program’s focus.

“I’m glad that there isn’t just focus on physical wellness, but mental health as well,” Keusch said. “It’s important for students to learn how to take care of themselves in all ways possible.”

News reporter Natasha Breu can be reached at 808-343-7632 and [email protected].