Sonoma State will be offering a Stress Free Zone on campus for students to unwind after dealing with the overwhelming tasks of moving out and studying for finals. The Stress Free Zone will take place in Weyden + Brewster from May 15-18 where students can relax, play games and make crafts all while enjoying the company of others. All events will take place from 8:30-10 p.m. 

On Sunday, there will be tie blanket making and trivia followed by fairy garden making and a game show on Monday. Tuesday’s event will include flower pot painting and puzzles and on Wednesday, students will get the opportunity to make collages and compete in a Jenga tournament. Snacks, coloring books, Play-Doh, humma beads and board games will also be available at every session for students to relieve some stress. 

One activity that will not change over the four-day event is grad cap decorating. This is a way for students to take a break from finals, gather some friends and reminisce on the good memories they have from their time at SSU. 

Graduating senior Rachel Marie said, “I am so excited Sonoma is offering these activities. I feel very lucky to be a part of the graduating class that gets a commencement so I will definitely grab my roommates and come decorate our grad caps.” 

Opening up about mental health can be hard and trying to find the right coping mechanisms can become an added stressor for some, which is why these activities are a good way for students to explore different kinds of outlets.

An anonymous student had this to say about the Stress Free Zones: “I have been very overwhelmed lately and my mental health has not been in a good place, but when I saw one of the choices we could do was painting flower pots, my spirits immediately lifted. Tending to my plants is a really good stress reliever for me, so it was a sign I need to attend.” 

The Stress Free Zones are for students and are designed for them to use the space however they choose. That may be making new friends, sitting in silence or doing crafts with friends. The purpose is to benefit the students and make sure self-care is still happening through the stress that the end of a school year can bring.

Lauren Brown is looking forward to this event as a way to make some friends. “I love going to the on-campus events and I try not to take them for granted because I wished to be a part of a community all throughout completing school virtually. I just go by myself sometimes and try to strike up conversations with my peers in hopes of making new connections,” said Brown. 

College can be a very overwhelming time, especially while most students are having to make the difficult transition from remote learning to in-person learning. For some students, they are learning what it’s like having to take care of themselves for the first time. Through events like a Stress Free Zone, SSU encourages students to take a break and do something for themselves.

To learn more about the Stress Free Zones, head to http://www.seawolfliving.com/featured.