The 18th annual Student Wellness Fair will be at the UC student plaza Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Some said this is an opportunity for students at the University of Memphis to get some tips on how to lead a healthier life since the struggle of college life can sometimes take a toll on your physical, mental and financial health.
The event will focus on helping students in eight areas of wellness: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, career, physical, social and spiritual. The event will feature exhibits, health screenings, group exercise, games and prizes.
Local vendors will also be setting up at the fair, including Walgreens, Be the Match, A Step Ahead Foundation, and the Shelby County Health Department. Each vendor will be offering information and services to students.
Some of the services provided will include flu shots administered by Walgreens and toothbrushes and toothpaste given out by Higginbotham Family Dental. Other organizations will be informing students of things like the proper use and dangers of medications, information on adverse childhood experiences, the importance of sleep, breast cancer awareness, and the effects of driving drowsy.
Britney Bryson, a health and wellness counselor at the UofM and organizer of the event, said the goal of the Health and Wellness Fair is to make sure students know about the wellness options and opportunities provided to them on campus.
“Learning about the resources available to them will hopefully give them the chance to think of themselves as a whole person, not just a student,” Bryson said. “As people, we get busy and stressed; being a student sometimes emphasizes that experience.”
The organizers said they want students to know that Memphis cares about their health and well-being and that they are prepared to help struggling students in any way necessary. College does not have to take a huge toll on your mental and physical health.
The Campus Recreation Intramural Services will also help organize the event. They will have a nutritionist at the fair and even some fitness instructors that will be leading short sessions of yoga, kickboxing, and other exercises on the UC lawn.
The UofM offers many wellness resources on campus that many students may not have seen or known before. The wellness fair is designed to promote these services. The resources available to students include campus recreation and nutrition resources, disability resources, Tigers urban garden, the office of institutional equity and tutoring at the Educational Support Learning Centers.
“We want to remind our students that their wellness is our top priority, too, because Tigers care!” Bryson said.
Junior Lauren Wright said she thinks the wellness fair is helpful for students.
“I think it’s great because it helps students that don’t know about those resources like counseling and the relaxation zone. It helps them know it’s available to them,” Wright said.
