Meditation sessions are an effective way to relieve stress

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By Grant Labriola

Feeling stressed out about your final exams? UK’s Wellness Program may have the answer for stressed-out students.
Every Thursday, the Wellness Program offers a free meditation class for students, staff and faculty at the Seaton Center, located next to the Johnson Center. While the session is offered every Thursday, the center stresses that exam time would be a good time for students to learn about meditation.
If you attend, don’t expect fireworks—the Seaton Center isn’t a student section. Meditation is pure silence and focus.
According the Web site BenefitsofMeditation.org, meditation is achieved through deep-breathing, which is a pillar of meditation practices. Muscle fatigue and tension are reduced by increasing the circulation of oxygen to the muscles through breathing.
“Meditation is good for your health, it lowers heart rate and lowers your blood pressure” said Dave Block, the mediation sessions’ weekly mediator.
According to UK’s Health and Wellness Web site, the program promotes wellness, exercise, diet and lifestyle support services, as well as on campus gym membership and exercise programs. The UK Health and Wellness Program sees the meditation program as an opportunity to dedicate time to helping students and staff better their health.
Being healthy and exercising during times like finals is an effective way to relieve stress and help keep students’ brains firing on all cylinders.
For more information about the Health and Wellness Program call (859) 257-9355.
Massage on the Go
For many students, Dead Week is not so dead due to the pressure of next week’s finals.  Many students find the final weeks of the semester to be the most stressful and anything that can help to relieve stress can be beneficial.
To help students reduce their stress Student Activities Board has organized “Massage On the Go” in which the Lexington Healing Arts Academy will be offering free  five-minute massages in the Commons Dining Hall for any one who wishes to participate.
Massage on the Go will take place Wednesday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be offered to students and staff.
“It’s a great way to relax during Dead Week,” SAB member, Aimee Glindmeyer said.
Depending on the turnout, SAB plans to organize similar events in the future to help students deal with stress during the end of the semesters.
Students can find out about more events being held on campus by checking out the SAB Web site at www.uksab.org.