McMaster Student Wellness Centre

02/24/2020

Join us for a 5-week workshop exploring the biopsychosocial-spiritual model of self-care. This group will focus on maintaining self-care while introducing new practices and routines through SMART goals.

For more information and to register, email Aklima Sarkar (MSW, RSW) at [email protected].

02/18/2020

Applications for our Peer Educator Program are now open until February 19 at 9 am! Help us promote student wellness during the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

For more information, visit wellness.mcmaster.ca/volunteer

02/18/2020

Choosing your own family members can be life-saving. Here’s why these Canadians did it.

Happy Family Day! Whether you’re celebrating with your family of origin or your chosen family, we hope you have a great day. Learn more about what a chosen family is and its importance.

For some, chosen families are the only families they have. For others, it's a bond that can't be found in a biological household.

02/17/2020

We’re closed today and will be back open tomorrow February 18!

02/14/2020

Explore how to use art to develop different strategies to cope with overwhelming emotions on Mondays from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. No art experience needed! Registration required.

For more information or to register, email Carla Glanville (MA) at [email protected]

02/10/2020

Check out the Food for Thought page for a chance to enter our contest! Stay tuned as we post some fun “in a pinch” meals through the week.

https://www.facebook.com/foodforthoughtmac/

02/10/2020

Fitness & Friends - Yoga

Try out yoga for the first time in a welcoming environment or take a break from your busy schedule and connect with others! Join us Tuesday, February 11th in PGCLL 207 located in the SWC Wellness Lounge from 3:30 - 4:30pm. All equipment is provided so bring yourself, an open mind and enjoy the session.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to ensure the session starts on time.

Registration available here:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fitness-friends-yoga-tickets-92976199315

Make new friends and stretch away the blues of the winter semester, join our Active Living team for a relaxing session of introductory yoga.

02/07/2020

Applications for our Peer Educator Program are now open until February 19 at 9 am!! Help us promote student wellness during the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

For more information, visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/services/wellness-education/volunteer-program/

02/06/2020

Are you a university student struggling to afford food? Do you ever worry about having enough to eat? Are you interested in sharing your ideas and experiences to inform future decisions on campus about food security?

The McMaster Health Forum is hosting a student panel on the topic of ‘Strengthening efforts to support student food security’ and currently looking for participants. Panel members have the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences about this issue and learn from research evidence and from the views of others. Your voice will be used to support policies and discussions among campus stakeholders that can improve students’ access to affordable meals.

If you are interested, please sign-up through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BTTLKCC

For any questions or inquiries, please email [email protected]

02/05/2020

The SWC Mental Health Team presents: Cocoa, Cookies, and Care. It will be an opportunity to show yourself some self-love through cookie decorating and card making while enjoying a nice warm cup of hot chocolate!

The event will be held in MUSC 318 on February 13 at 3 PM - 5 PM. If you have any questions about Cocoa, Cookies, and Care, please email the Mental Health Outreach Team at: [email protected].

https://www.facebook.com/events/210621749982907/

01/31/2020

Drop in today at LRW 1811 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm and gain support in navigating the various barriers of university. This is reserved for self identifying Indigenous students.

For more information, visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/indigenous-student-drop-in/

01/29/2020

Bell Let's Talk Day is today! It can be a major platform for discussion about mental health, a prompt to reach out to the people around us or get the support we are looking for.

However the conversation is starting for you, the Student Wellness Centre is here to support McMaster students if you're looking for someone to talk to!

There are also a number of resources available to students
https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/resources/#tab-content-student-support-services

If you're looking for things happening on campus for #Bellletstalk. Tomorrow, Michael Landsberg will be coming to campus to moderate a panel and share a keynote starting at 5pm in Burridge Gym!

01/28/2020

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Adopt these effective hand washing steps to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Hand hygiene is the most effective way to reduce health care associated infections. World Hand Hygiene Day is May 5. Be sure you always thoroughly wash your hands.

01/27/2020

Screening precautions for coronavirus - Hamilton Health Sciences

Screening precautions for the coronavirus

Hamilton Health Sciences is taking precautions regarding the new coronavirus, including screening patients on arrival at hospitals and care centres.

01/27/2020

New coronavirus: what you need to know

What you need to know about the coronavirus

General information and best practices to stay healthy.

01/23/2020

Drop in today at PGCLL 201 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm and join an art based group to expand your understanding of self. Learn and embrace parts of your personality that are outside of your awareness or just beginning to emerge into your awareness.

For more information, visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/who-am-i-drop-in/

01/22/2020

Why are female test subjects still being excluded from exercise research?

"An overwhelming number of studies either omit women completely or make the mistake of assuming that women are [...] simply 'small men'."

Despite the need to include women, an overwhelming number of studies either omit them completely or make the mistake of assuming that women are, as physiologist Stacy Sims puts it, simply ‘small men.’

01/20/2020

Drop in today to PGCLL 207 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm or Wednesday to PGCLL 206 from 3 - 4 pm and join a facilitated discussion about stress, stress physiology, and strategies to reduce stress.

For more information about time and location, visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/stress-less/

01/19/2020

John M. Sweeney

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."

Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There.

No more; no less.

(A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard)

01/17/2020

Community care.
Pro tip: you can even do these things when someone you know isn't going through a hard time ;)

:-)

01/17/2020

Drop in today to PGCLL 206 from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm and develop a specialized skill set that is the key to minimizing the effects of ADHD on day to day performance.

01/16/2020

Happening tomorrow!!

Prepare to be entertained. Tomorrow, we’re bringing back highlights and more from the Student Services Fair. Games, prizes and live entertainment happening from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in MUSC.

Services include: McMaster University Alumni Association; McMaster Recreation; Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario; Equity and Inclusion Office, McMaster University; McMaster University Hospitality Services; Mac Res; Indigenous at McMaster; McMaster University Library; Parking Services; Student Accessibility Services (SAS) McMaster; Student Navigators; Student Services Department; McMaster Student Success Centre; Student Support and Case Management Office; McMaster Student Wellness Centre; The Forge McMaster; and, McMaster University Technology Services.

Learn more:
https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/events/student-services-fair/

01/16/2020

Join Open Circle on Mondays from 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm at PGCLL 206 to learn about meditation and to support each other in becoming more mindful. No experience necessary. No registration required. For more information, visit https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/meditation-circle/ or contact Jeff at [email protected].

01/13/2020

McMaster's second annual Thrive Week is next week!

Check out upcoming events like Thrive Kick-Off: Wellness Fair & Free Breakfast and Thrive: Comedy Night with AspieComic, or visit wellness.mcmaster.ca/thrive for more event details.

01/10/2020

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) McMaster

Our Peer Partnership Program (P3): ☕️ and 💬 event is happening on January 14! Drop-in to learn about the Peer Partnership Program, meet Peer Partners, and enjoy free snacks! Those who are interested in volunteering as a Peer Partner (all students) as well as those who wish to request a Peer Partner (must be registered with SAS) are welcome to drop-in during the event. Please refer to the below for event details.

Date: January 14 2020
Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: LRW 1010

#mcmaster #peerpartner #coffeehouse #universityfriends

01/09/2020

Go online to see how long you’ll wait in Hamilton emergency rooms

"Patients can now get a rough idea of how long they will wait to see a doctor at Hamilton's emergency rooms and urgent care centres before deciding where to seek care."

Real-time emergency room waits posted online for Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare

01/08/2020

McMaster students believed to be among those killed in air crash

We are saddened to hear about the two McMaster students that lost their lives in the crash. For those who knew the students and are experiencing grief, we are hosting a drop-in session Thursday January 9th from 12 - 1:30pm in PGCLL 206 (enter through the Wellness Lounge on Level 2).

Please also be aware of our regular grief support available through our monthly drop-in program with Open Circle McMaster. More details available https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/grief-support-sharing-circle-drop-in/

It is with great sadness that we share with our university community that it appears that members of the McMaster family were among those killed in the airplane crash in Iran on Wednesday morning.

01/06/2020

Ring in 2020 with the Ultimate Break It Off Challenge! Whether you smoke every day, occasionally, or want some motivation to stay smoke-free, join the challenge for a chance to win some cash.

Registration closes February 6: https://breakitoff.ca/ultimate-break-it-off-challenge

01/02/2020

The Student Wellness Centre in PGCLL level 2, along with the rest of the university, is now open after the holidays! This includes medical 🏥 and counselling 🗣 services, as well as the wellness lounge 😌😌

12/24/2019

Holiday Closure Notice - Student Wellness Centre

The SWC is closed from December 24 @12pm until January 2 @8:45am for the holidays. Check out resources available here https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/holiday-closure-notice/

The Student Wellness Centre will close for the holidays beginning Dec 24, 2019 at 12:00pm. We will reopen on Jan 2, 2020 at 8:45am. The hours on January 2 and 3, will be 8:45 – 4:30pm. We will resume our regular hours with evenings beginning January 6. If you are dealing with a medical or [...]Rea...

12/04/2019

It’s that time of year again, Marauders! Exam season is right around the corner and SWC’s Exam Challenge Contest is back. Starting Friday Dec 6th until the last day of exams, we will be giving out daily prizes. The best part? Just participate in the Exam Challenge question on Instagram to enter. You can follow us at www.instagram.com/mcmasterswc/

Check Instagram daily to take part in the challenge and visit wellness.mcmaster.ca/program/exam-wellness-challenge/ for all details including prize information!

12/03/2019

Take a look at this post by the McMaster Student Success Centre to see what resources, supports, and programs are taking place for students during exam time.

As you get ready for exams, remember, you're not alone. Here are some resources and supports available at Mac to support your success:

McMaster University Library:
• Extended hours at all locations.
• Note: Mills and Thode are open 24/7.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) McMaster:
• MSU Maccess and Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will be hosting an Exam Destress Event. Make your own personalized exam de-stress care package, with everything you need to make it through exam season. Happening on Wednesday: https://www.facebook.com/events/511338029463644/

McMaster Recreation:
• Stress Less Spin Day. Free spin classes for most of Thursday!
• Exam Stress Relief. Free drop-in yoga throughout the month.

McMaster Student Success Centre:
• Exam Tip Sheets available in GH 110 and on our website: http://bit.ly/ssctips
• Cheer Week: Happening from Wednesday, December 4 until Tuesday, December 10. Full details are on the website: https://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/events/cheer-week/

Some Cheer Week (Dec 4-10) highlights include:
• Wednesday, Drop-in December Dinner and De-stressor (Transfer and First-Gen Students): https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca/publicEventsController.htm?eventId=30932
• Thursday, Sponsored Study Space + Prizes, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., MUSC
• Friday, First Day of Exams Boost, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., GH 110. Stop by the SSC to grab a beverage (smoothies, coffee and tea).
• Sunday, Bring the Cheer: Toronto Raptors Viewing, Doors open at 5:30 p.m., GH 110.
• Monday, Unwind at the SSC, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., GH 110. Low-key activities in the SSC.
• Tuesday, Pro-craft-ination, 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., GH 110. Crafts include beading bookmarks and ugly sweater (bring your own sweater)/hat decorating (while supplies last).

McMaster Student Wellness Centre:
• Exam Wellness Challenge: Every day of exams, the SWC will pose a wellness-related question on its Facebook or Instagram (@McMasterSWC for both). Respond to daily posts to be entered in a draw for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate.
• Brown Bag Breakfast: Stop by the wellness lounge (now located in PGCLL 201) each weekday of exams for breakfast starting at 9:30 a.m. While quantities last! it.
• Walk in Nature: Drop in at the Wellness Lounge (now located in PGCLL 201) on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. for a walk through Cootes Paradise (runs all year).

11/30/2019

A beautiful reflection on self-care, especially important as we move into one of the most stressful times of the academic year.
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Note, the writer calls the use of liquor “self-sabotage,” which we feel is an oversimplification for those living with trauma and addictions.

“Self-care is often a very unbeautiful thing.

It is making a spreadsheet of your debt and enforcing a morning routine and cooking yourself healthy meals and no longer just running from your problems and calling the distraction a solution.

It is often doing the ugliest thing that you have to do, like sweat through another workout or tell a toxic friend you don’t want to see them anymore or get a second job so you can have a savings account or figure out a way to accept yourself so that you’re not constantly exhausted from trying to be everything, all the time and then needing to take deliberate, mandated breaks from living to do basic things like drop some oil into a bath and read Marie Claire and turn your phone off for the day.

A world in which self-care has to be such a trendy topic is a world that is sick. Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so absolutely exhausted that we need some reprieve from our own relentless internal pressure.

True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from.

And that often takes doing the thing you least want to do.

It often means looking your failures and disappointments square in the eye and re-strategizing. It is not satiating your immediate desires. It is letting go. It is choosing new. It is disappointing some people. It is making sacrifices for others. It is living a way that other people won’t, so maybe you can live in a way that other people can’t.

It is letting yourself be normal. Regular. Unexceptional. It is sometimes having a dirty kitchen and deciding your ultimate goal in life isn’t going to be having abs and keeping up with your fake friends. It is deciding how much of your anxiety comes from not actualizing your latent potential, and how much comes from the way you were being trained to think before you even knew what was happening.

If you find yourself having to regularly indulge in consumer self-care, it’s because you are disconnected from actual self-care, which has very little to do with “treating yourself” and a whole lot do with parenting yourself and making choices for your long-term wellness.

It is no longer using your hectic and unreasonable life as justification for self-sabotage in the form of liquor and procrastination. It is learning how to stop trying to “fix yourself” and start trying to take care of yourself… and maybe finding that taking care lovingly attends to a lot of the problems you were trying to fix in the first place.

It means being the hero of your life, not the victim. It means rewiring what you have until your everyday life isn’t something you need therapy to recover from. It is no longer choosing a life that looks good over a life that feels good. It is giving the hell up on some goals so you can care about others. It is being honest even if that means you aren’t universally liked. It is meeting your own needs so you aren’t anxious and dependent on other people.

It is becoming the person you know you want and are meant to be. Someone who knows that salt baths and chocolate cake are ways to enjoy life – not escape from it.”
-Brianna Wiest

[Illustration: Yaoyao Ma]