Wellness Edition - March 29, 2023

Dancing helps students’ minds and bodies

KALEY RICHARD Lantern reporter richard.222@osu.edu

Dance Coalition provides a space where students step away from stress and exercise their minds and bodies through dance.

Dance Coalition, a non-audition dance group at Ohio State in which members can express themselves through dance, offers a space for students to find belonging in the dance community, according to the group’s website. Beyond its community, members said they notice the physical and mental benefits from consistently dancing with the group.

Students choreographed a variety of dances for the group’s upcoming showcase on April 2 at 1 p.m. in 131 Hitchcock Hall, Chloe Parker, a second-year in marketing and president of Dance Coalition, said. The group will also be a special guest in Stylez dance group’s showcase later that same day.

“Dance Co. is meant to be something fun where you can come, hang out with your friends, dance and move, get to really enjoy that space, and we gather because we love to dance,” Parker said.

At the showcase, Dance Coalition will perform contemporary dances, lyrical dances, belly dances, an upbeat Jazz-like number and a K-pop number, Parker said.

With no auditions required to join, Dance Coalition is a more relaxed environment than other competitive groups, Gabriella Matheny, a Ph.D. candidate in microbiology and vice president of Dance Coalition, said.

“We’re in it because we like to dance. We don’t compete, but we do perform because we want to show people this is what we’ve been working on,” Matheny said.

Whether students are new or experienced dancers, Dance Coalition is all-inclusive. Everyone is welcome to join and choreograph a dance, with members on the

executive board choreographing first and the newer members after, Parker said.

According to Everyday Health, any type of movement, dancing included, can be a way to de-stress. As a low-pressure environment, Parker said Dance Coalition allows students to take a break from academics.

“I do think that dancing, especially with Dance Co., is very beneficial because it can be tough and have more difficult moves, but we always make sure that if you have limits you are still able to do everything with the group,” Parker said. “I think that having that exercise, knowing you can only do so much, so you’re not pushing yourself too far can be really good exercise, and I think that it’s healthy.”

According to Everyday Health, dancing

can be physically beneficial because it boosts cardiovascular and bone health, builds core strength, improves flexibility and helps with weight loss.

For members of Dance Coalition, dancing is not only beneficial to one’s physical health, but it provides a sense of accomplishment and a healthy social component, Matheny said.

“Practice is that time two times a week I can go and worry about nothing else,” Parker said. “I’m just hanging out with my friends like nothing else is happening outside of that dance room,”

Parker and Matheny said they’re most excited to see the new members perform in the upcoming showcase.

“I just love seeing all the hard work come together,” Matheny said. “Specifically with the small groups and stuff, there’s stuff I haven’t seen yet. So, when we see their performances, I can peek out and be like ‘That was really cool.’”

Although Dance Coalition is a club that provides students with a physical and social outlet, dancing has another benefit, Matheny said. According to Everyday Health, dancing and choreographing can aid in preventing memory loss because it requires learning specific moves.

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Members of Dance Coalition exercise their bodies, minds and create lasting friendships.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

“I find that with dance, not only is it working my body, but it’s also working my brain

because I have to remember what comes next,” Matheny said.

Parker said almost all of her friends were

made through Dance Coalition, and it’s one of the biggest positives in her life.

“Dance Co. was the first club that I joined

on campus, and it’s given me some of my closest friends. I think the social aspect is just incredible because it is a more relaxed environment,” Parker said.

Digital Detoxing: How college students can periodically step away from their screens

LUCY LAWLER Lantern reporter lawler.129@osu.edu

The detoxing process is often associated with green juices or yoga, but it applies equally to technology.

In its purest form, digital detoxing is disconnecting from electronic devices for a finite amount of time. A digital detox is one way to alleviate stress and improve concentration, Jenny Lobb, an Ohio State extension family and consumer sciences educator, said.

For students, digital detoxing does not mean neglecting schoolwork or ceasing communication with family and friends, Lobb said. Evaluating one’s internet use to pinpoint areas for improvement is similar to assessing one’s nutrition.

“We all probably eat foods that are nutritious and beneficial for our bodies, and we all have indulgences and junk food as well,” Lobb said. “It’s kind of taking inventory of that and seeing where you could potentially trim some of the junk, so you can reap those benefits.”

Though digital detoxes may sound intimidating to some, Lobb said they work best when employed in the context of everyday life. Even the seemingly minute act of silencing notifications while completing a task suffices, she said.

“When we get those notifications, that can actually kind of trigger a physiological stress response, which for some people may not be noticeable,” Lobb said. “But when they start to add up, it could be noticeable.”

Digital detoxes are potential tools for

achieving a consistent sleep schedule, Lobb said. Students can avoid endless scrolling by designating one or two hours prior to their desired bedtime as technology-free, she said.

According to a 2022 study in Preventing Chronic Disease — a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — around 60 percent of college students struggle with poor sleep quality. Investing in an alarm clock is a effective approach to eliminating distractions after dark, Lobb said.

“If that seems too extreme, then take advantage of some of the settings that you can put in place on your phone, like the ‘Do Not Disturb’ hours where only emergency contacts can get through,” Lobb said. “Or putting your device in a drawer, something like that.”

Dr. Ryan Patel, a psychiatrist with the Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service, said taking these breaks is conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Using a computer or phone before bed stimulates brain activity rather than calming it, which has problematic effects. “Bright light exposures through screens can delay one’s ability to fall asleep, in some instances by up to an hour, for some people up to three hours,” Patel said.

The desire to be entertained before bed is not new or unreasonable, Patel said. Soothing yet satisfying alternatives to surfing the web include bathing, drawing, physical activity, listening to music and meditating.

If practiced on a daily basis, digital detoxing boosts long-term productivity, Patel said. In particular, setting time limits on apps, such as TikTok and Instagram,

helps users preserve their ability to sustain focus, he said.

“An algorithm feeding you content almost goes against that because you know, that is short, short, short,” Patel said. “A lot of that task switching can increase stress on our brain, and it can make it difficult to focus when we need to do deep work.”

It is likely the line between using technology for work and using it for entertainment will

become increasingly blurry in the future, Patel said. He said students must engage with electronics in ways that leave them feeling restored, not drained.

“Otherwise, we run the risk of going away from meaningful work into being busy,” Patel said. “Not only that, but also feeling that constant pressure and strain of having to be connected all the time.”

LUCY LAWLER LANTERN REPORTER

A Dec. 11, 2020, blog post titled “Technology, Electronics, and Mental Health” from Emotional Fitness is a self-help blog written for Ohio State students by Dr. Ryan Patel.

Don’t Tell Comedy Pop-Up Show can be a feel-good remedy and recharge for wellness

bit more at ease. We feel like we can be our authentic selves,” Perkey said.

Producer, host and comedian for Don’t Tell Comedy Simon Fraser described how comedy helps everyone who comes to their shows.

“They make you and I better, because it’s so fun just to meet all these comedians from around the country, hang out with them, laugh with them and banter with them. It’s just a positive thing,” Fraser said.

Fraser said physically watching the show makes the comedy even better than on a screen.

“You can watch comedy on TikTok and Instagram, but being there in the room is what’s memorable,” Fraser said. “It’s being with people laughing, sharing experiences, sharing experiences with strangers”

Fraser also went in-depth on the trust that ticket buyers have in Don’t Tell Comedy when they don’t know who they’ll see perform.

MATTHEW RATTERMAN

Lantern reporter ratterman.19@osu.edu

Laughter may be one of the best medicines to fix those post-spring break blues, and Don’t Tell Comedy might just have the right dose.

Laughter has been known to improve many aspects of people’s overall wellness. According to HelpGuide.org, laughter “draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body.”

Don’t Tell Comedy’s next Pop-Up Show is set for Friday at 7 p.m. — with another following shortly at 9:30 p.m. — at a secret location in the Short North Arts District.

The Don’t Tell Comedy Pop-Up Show setup is secretive, according to the Don’t Tell Comedy website. Each show’s location is only revealed at 8 a.m. on the day of the event to those who enter their email and select a show to attend on Don’t Tell Comedy’s website. The comedians in the show are undisclosed until they take the stage.

Undergraduate Wellness Coordinator of the Ohio State Student Wellness Center

Roger Perkey said laughter and comedy can be good for health and order within one’s life.

“We know that people are doing these types of events together, so you have the social aspect,” Perkey said. “Whenever

we’re laughing, oftentimes, there’s some chemical reactions happening within our body, happening within our brain that are releasing essentially these happy chemicals which are going to keep us balanced and keep us, hopefully, level-footed, ready to move forward for whatever the next challenge might be.”

Perkey also said comedy could remove barriers in one’s life to allow for selfimprovement.

“Whenever we are laughing, whenever we’re enjoying whatever this is, whether it’s a show, whether it’s an improv troupe, whether it’s actually going to a comedy show, you can insert whatever that thing is and our barriers come down, we feel a little

“The least we can do is bring in talent that we know is hopefully gonna make as many people laugh in that room as possible,” Fraser said.

When talking about his own experience, producer Peter Ostapowicz said the shows make him feel great.

“Just from my personal perspective, I have a great time at the shows, and I sometimes see the same comedians go up a couple times a night, and the jokes are still hilarious to me,” Ostapowicz said.

General admission tickets for the show typically run at $25, and the age requirement is 21-plus. Audience members can bring their own drinks and snacks, according to the Don’t Tell Comedy website.

COURTESY OF JAMES GODWIN

Don’t Tell Comedy typically runs four to five shows every weekend in secret locations, the next set for Friday.

Social media influencer brings awareness and educates on food science through her platform

relating it to something like food that helps me understand it better.”

Lewis said she started TikTok and Instagram pages in 2021 to share her expertise with a broader audience. She noticed people were putting a lot of trust in science during the pandemic.

“I try to do it in a digestible way with science,” Lewis said. “It’s a short, quick way of getting information out there that matters to people whether you have a science background or not.”

Through her social media presence, Lewis said she hopes to encourage more underprivileged communities to pursue careers in STEM. She said people mistakenly believe they are not good at science, but can succeed by finding their niche.

“I studied science in school, and sometimes people use acronyms that many might not know,” Lewis said. “This makes people shy away from science.”

may have yet to have the opportunity to learn about them — such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Building Bridges, STEAM Urban and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Lewis said her future goals include growing her social media presence and promoting representation in science fields, particularly for women and people of color.

“I am not a person that puts content out there just for the sake of putting it out there,” Lewis said. “What is important to me is putting something out there that people will be interested in and learn from and bring awareness to people.”

Lewis said she teaches fitness alongside making content for her online audience.

“I would love to grow my social media more. That’s something that I am always looking to do,” Lewis said. “Fitness is a passion of mine, and I absolutely love teaching and seeing clients and myself get stronger every day.”

SHARON NIMYEL

Lantern reporter nimyel.1@osu.edu

Ohio State alumna Brittany Towers Lewis is looking to make food science more digestible through social media.

Lewis has been a food scientist for 10 years, and now, she’s using her knowledge to create short videos explaining various food science concepts and answering common questions about food. Lewis has amassed over 84,000 followers on TikTok, and 133,000 on Instagram.

“I have always loved food,” Lewis said. “I didn’t know that food science was a major

or career. I didn’t know it was something you could do because if I did, I probably would have started it when I got to Ohio State.”

Lewis received her bachelor’s and master’s in food science from Ohio State in 2011 and 2013, respectively, according to her Linkedin page. After graduating, she began working as a product developer from PepsiCo on brand products, like Gatorade. She said she now works for the health and wellness brand Vital Protein, which offers products for whole-body wellness, including collagen supplements.

“I have spent my entire career in product development,” Lewis said. “I think it’s just

Kyle Kent, an Ohio State alum and former professor in food science and technology, said food science is a broad discipline that encompasses a range of products — including candy and ice cream. While some may not necessarily associate these products with wellness, he said nutrition and ingredient considerations are always at the forefront of the field.

“Within food science, there is consideration of the nutrition of all the ingredients we’re using and how they come together,” Kent said. “And what it means for the label, and then also for any claims that might be able to be made about the product.”

Kent encourages those interested in food science to explore the major, which he describes as one of the “coolest science majors out there.”

Lewis said she volunteered for organizations that promote STEM careers to those who

Luis Rodriguez-Saona, professor of food science and technology, said Lewis was a standout student, and he has been following her success since she has taken his class. He said Lewis was especially fascinated with snacks, an essential industry in Ohio.

“We see how the students grow, but then they fly and go their ways,” RodriguezSaona said. “They find their way into the industry. She has been amazing. She has been a leader in the industry.”

With the increasing demand for healthier food options, the Food Science and Technology program at Ohio State is taking the lead in improving the nutritional value of its food, Rodriguez-Saona said.

“We have faculty here that are going to be working on different technologies that will improve the healthy nutrients in our food,” Rodriguez-Saona said.

COURTESY OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Brittany Towers Lewis has been making waves in the food industry for a decade as a food scientist.

ACADEMIC RESOURCE GUIDE

Student Advocacy Center: The Student Advocacy Center helps students navigate and resolve issues at Ohio State inside and outside of the classroom. Students in need of assistance from the center can email advocacy@osu.edu or call 614-292-1111.

Student Life Disability Services: Student Life Disability Services helps students with disabilities access campus resources and navigate Ohio State. Students in need of services can email slds@osu.edu or call 614-292-3307.

Multicultural Center: The Multicultural Center uplifts Ohio State students through its intercultural model, in addition to offering services, outreach and programs. Students in need of services can email sl-mccinfo@osu.edu or call 614-688-8449.

Student Wellness Center: The Student Wellness Center helps students to work towards balance and wellness. Students in need of services can email wellness@osu.edu or call 614-292-4527.

Younkin Success Center: Provides information regarding tutoring, academic services, career services and more at younkinsuccess.osu. edu/

Tutoring Services: Services can be found at younkinsuccess.osu. edu/tutoring/. To find additional tutoring resources, see below and visit younkinsuccess.osu.edu/tutoring/additional-tutoring-resources/ Residence Hall Tutoring (Certified Tutors in Math, Physics and Chemistry)

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Tutoring

Fisher Business Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services

Tutoring Assistance

General Chemistry Learning Resource Center

Economics Learning Center

Spanish and Portuguese Teaching and Learning Centers

French and Italian Tutoring/Translation Services

Math and Stats Learning Center

Department of Physics

Center for the Study of Teaching and Writing

Research Assistance through M.A.R.S. — Mobile Assistance with Research Students

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE

Hotlines:

National Suicide Prevention 24/7 Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or dial 988

Columbus Suicide 24/7 Hotline: 614-2215445

The Trevor Project 24/7 LGBTQ Suicide Hotline: 1-866-488-7386

National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine: 800-950-6264

CCS Crisis Hotline (after-hour consultation): 614-292-5766 and choose option 2

Text Lines:

National 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text

“HOME” to 741-741

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text “4HOPE” to 741-741

The Trevor Project LGBTQ Suicide Prevention 24/7 Text Line: Text “START” to 678-678

No one should have to get better alone. There are helping hands at Ohio State, in Columbus and nationally. Below is an incomplete list of available support and treatment including counseling, crisis text lines and addiction services. In case of life-threatening situations, dial 911.

Counseling and Consultation Services: ccs.osu.edu, 614-292-5766, sl-ccs@osu.edu

Phone Screening: A 10-15 minute conversation with a counselor to identify the best treatment option, including individual counseling through CCS. Students can schedule their screenings online.

Let’s Talk: A 15-20 minute session for students to speak one-on-one with CCS staff and be provided informal consultations. Group Counseling: Psychoeducation and skills group counseling; interpersonal group counseling; and identity-specific group counseling.

Drop-In Workshops: Free drop-in workshops with topics ranging from food, exercise and sleep strategies for mental health to beating anxiety.

Wexner Medical Center Harding Hospital:

614-293-9600

Provides behavioral health care, ranging from hospitalization to outpatient care. Psychological Services Center, Ohio State

Department of Psychology: 614-292-2345, psc@psy.ohio-state.edu

Offers free counseling and treatment for depression, anxiety, personality disorders and other mental health conditions.

Addiction Resources and Treatment: Columbus Public Health Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program:

614-645-6839

Provides prevention, intervention, outpatient treatment and group counseling programs.

CRIME, SAFETY AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCES

Hotlines:

Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) Rape Helpline: 614-267-7020

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800656-4673

LSS Choices Domestic Violence Hotline: 614-224-4663

LGBT National Health Center Hotline: 888-843-4564

On campus:

Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO): 614-6882518

Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Trauma Recovery Center: 614-2937827, STARTraumaRecoveryCenter@osumc.edu

Counseling and Consultation Services: After-hours helpline: 614-2925766, choose option 2

Off campus:

Mount Carmel Crime & Trauma Assistance Program: 614-234-5900

LSS Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence: 614-224-7200

Ohio Domestic Violence Network: 614-781-9651, info@odvn.org

In case of emergency, call 911 and seek medical help.

Sexual Assault Reporting: This resource sheet, found on Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety’s website, updated by the University Police Division lists the steps followed when sexual assault is reported as well as supplying support resources and access to the Office of Institutional Equity.

Safety Tips: The Department of Public Safety compiled a list of tips and suggestions for students to follow in order to help make the campus area safe for everyone.

Bug Your Bike: The Ohio State University, the City of Columbus, and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) partnered to create a program where bikes can be tagged with a radio frequency identification device to increase the odds of their return if they are lost or stolen. Visit dps.osu.edu/resources/bugyour-bike for more information.

Off-Campus and Commuter Student Engagement: Students can receive free personal safety alarms, window and door alarms and light timers. Visit offcampus.osu.edu/resources/safety/ to learn more.

Get physical: An inside look into student workout instructors, how they hope to empower others

even that quiz tomorrow,’” Harendza said. “‘This time is for you and for you only’ and that’s kind of my type of style. And then I do occasionally love to crack a joke.”

Growing up a competitive dancer helped her balance her schedule with instructing, Harendza said. She said teaching classes “doesn’t feel like work.”

“When I talk to people, I can just tell they’re so passionate about that because I get lost in creating my class plan, and I truly enjoy it,” Harendza said.

Harendza said she has a workout Instagram, where she posts pictures from her workout classes, helpful tips and a link to her class playlist.

Waller, a second-year in health promotion and nutrition exercise science, teaches a new Group Fitness Ride & Restore class. Waller said she enjoys assigning a theme or goal to each of her classes.

ABBY DITMER Lantern reporter ditmer.17@osu.edu

This story was originally published Feb. 27, 2023.

For students looking to get a workout in without leaving campus, look no further than group fitness classes taught daily at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center by Ohio State students.

Lily Eifert, Holly Harendza and Zoe Waller are just a few of the student workout instructors teaching peers through the BuckeyeFIT program — group fitness instructor training program — in the Recreational Sports department at the RPAC. Recreational Sports offers a variety of free classes — including dancing, yoga,

cycling and pilates — that are open to all Ohio State students.

Teaching a workout class gives instructors a chance to make an impact on someone’s day by providing them an outlet through physical exercise, Eifert, a third-year in neuroscience, said.

“Being able to make a positive impact on someone’s mental, physical and overall well-being is so rewarding to me,” Eifert said.

Eifert said she teaches a group indoor cycling classes as well as group 30/30 cycle cardio and strength class. Instructing with BuckeyeFIT provided Eifert the opportunity to attend a fitness conference, the Midwest Fit Fest, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from April 14-16,

according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s website.

“I’m going to a fitness conference at the end of this semester to learn from other fitness instructors. That is a big opportunity to go and develop leadership skills,” Eifert said. “I am really excited about the opportunity to grow in my own skin, that’s been a big thing too.”

Harendza, a second-year in human nutrition and dietetics and indoor cycling instructor, said she enjoys incorporating motivational quotes into each of the workouts she teaches to help her students get their minds off of their day.

“When I make inspirational quotes, it’s something like, ‘Forget about your homework. That doesn’t exist right now or

“For Valentine’s Day, I planned my class all around self-love, and just being kind to others and the rest of the world,” Waller said. “I picked songs based on that. For the cycle portions, I built the class off the songs and then once we get over to the yoga side, especially in the cycle and yoga classes, I focus a lot on recovering the body from the cycle portion.”

Stretching out the correct muscles, slowing your heart rate down and giving everyone an opportunity to work on breath work are just a few things Waller said she incorporates into the yoga portion of her classes.

Waller said she encourages every individual to try a group workout class through Recreational Sports.

“I think it’s such a great opportunity to meet other people and just have a nice break from classes and studying throughout your day. If you’re thinking about it, do it,” Waller said.

COURTESY OF HOLLY HARENDZA

Ohio State Kappa Alpha Theta poses after a group workout class taught by Holly Harendza.

Post-Graduation: how long-term and short-term stress can a ect students

PEARL CAREY Senior Lantern reporter carey.521@osu.edu

This story was originally published Nov. 14, 2022, and was updated for the Wellness edition.

As the December 2022 commencement approached, the thought of graduating might have left students questioning what to do next with the pressures about jobs, living situations and feeling inadequate.

Stress can play a major role in students’ physical health as well as in how they view themselves, whether that results in gastrointestinal issues, respiratory issues or high blood pressure, Natese Dockery, treasurer of the Graduate Association of Mental Health Action and Advocacy and Ph.D. student in educational studies, said.

However, there are different kinds of stress that affect the body in different ways, Kristen Toole, a clinical counselor and leader of GAMHAA, said.

“A lot of times when we talk about stress, we are thinking of this idea of distress because stress really comes in two forms, and I feel like we don’t really often talk about it,” Toole said.

Toole said there’s two kinds of stress: distress — which impacts the body in a negative way — and eustress — which encourages individuals to work hard and energizes the body. Students are often referencing distress when discussing life post-graduation, and it can leave a longterm negative impact, Toole said.

Signs of this long-term stress in graduates, Dockery said, can manifest in isolation rather than if they seek out support from those wrestling with the same internal issues. Graduates may also fall into the trap of saying “yes” to every invite or opportunity out of obligation, compromising their personal boundaries as a result, Dockery said.

“We’re in these transitioning stages, like going into a master’s or Ph.D. program, wanting to do all of these things,” Dockery said. “But you have to be willing to say, ‘I don’t think I can do that,’ in order to protect your own mental health.”

However, another pitfall of stress might cause students to think they don’t have any time for friends or hobbies that spark joy, Toole said.

“You can start to get so fixated on your priorities that it can become really easy to be like, ‘Well, since I’ve got this deadline approaching, I need to put my nose to the grindstone, so I won’t go out on Friday or Saturday. I don’t have time for my friends.’”

While maintaining a healthy balance of a social life and professional life, Dockery said there’s also a modern conversation surrounding self-care as a primary solution to stress.

“Self-care has become this notion of, like, ‘I’m gonna take a bubble bath, and then everything’s going to be better,’” Toole said. “For me, self-care is more about taking care of yourself in such a way that you are carefully curating and crafting a life.”

Toole said when students feel as though life is getting uncontrollable, slowly starting to make intentional weekly decisions to aid in building their life can be helpful. These can include creating a budget to avoid future financial crises or having a special planner to write out a master plan, so schedules are easier to understand.

“Small, little things set you up for success,” Dockery said. “So, when you do experience stress, you’re not freaking out because you’ve taken the time to get certain factors in line.”

To help feel more in control of their future, students can opt to see a therapist prior to undergoing stressful situations instead of believing the misconception that therapists are only useful during a crisis, Toole said.

“Therapists can aid with self-exploration,” Toole said. “They can help with coping strategies. They can help with developing a mindfulness practice, they can work on cognitive behavioral techniques that can help with sustaining long-term wellness.”

Having a growth mindset, Toole said, makes the actions of practicing true wellness easier. Being able to change,

adapt and avoid the temptation to be fixed on one particular way of living is key in overcoming the stresses that come with adulthood, Toole said.

“Be willing to be vulnerable enough to ask for help,” Dockery said. “I know it’s not always easy, but it definitely can help reduce some of that stress that you might be experiencing.”

PEARL CAREY | LANTERN REPORTER

Graduation can create stress in students as they transition into adulthood and have to make decisions for their future.

Students support students through Ohio State’s wellness coaching

ABBY DITMER Lantern reporter ditmer.17@osu.edu

This story was originally published Jan. 30, 2023.

To manage stress, balance relationships or improve overall well-being, students can talk with those with similar experiences, such as the wellness coaches at the Student Wellness Center.

Wellness coaching offers several different dimensions of coaching: career, creative, digital, emotional, environmental, spiritual, social, physical, intellectual and financial wellness, to wellness coach Kate Burke, a third-year in health promotion, nutrition and exercise science, said. The wellness coaching staff consists of graduate and undergraduate students who have trained through the Student Wellness Center.

Wellness coordinator and coach Rachel Mangold oversees the wellness coaching service and trains coaches, sometimes also coaching students herself, according to the Ohio State Student Wellness Center website. Mangold said she is committed to providing a comfortable, inclusive and compassionate environment for clients and coaches.

“A few benefits that students can get from using wellness coaching are accountability and support. We do a good job of educating our coaches on everything that’s going on around the university,” Mangold said. “It’s a good way to get some validation as well. School is hard, so it’s nice having that peerto-peer support.”

Whether students live out of state or don’t have a strong support system, wellness coaching is a way to get validation for whatever someone is going through, Mangold said. Wellness coaches can provide referrals as well as resources with which students may not be familiar.

Burke said she enjoys meeting new people and forming relationships with her peers and saw wellness coaching as the perfect outlet for her passion for meeting and

forming relationships with new people.

“We’re just here to have a conversation, and I’m here to offer resources and see if I have anything that could help you and help your situation,” Burke said. “We can just talk through what’s going on.”

To schedule an appointment with a wellness coach, students can use the scheduling link through the wellness coaching option on the Student Wellness Center website. From there, students can select whether they’d like to participate in individual or group coaching and choose a coach.

Students will complete a brief wellness assessment to help the coaches figure out which dimension of wellness to focus on, wellness coach Jacob Roose, a third-year in neuroscience, said.

“There’s kind of a stigma against reaching out and getting help. I think it’s really important to reach out to break that stigma. If you ask me, it shows strength and bravery to reach out and get help when you know you need it,” Roose said. “One of the nice things about wellness coaching is it’s easy to schedule an appointment, and it’s relatively quick if you need an appointment.”

Roose said having a peer to discuss your well-being with is just as important as having a professional counselor or therapist. The coaching sessions are meant to feel like you’re talking to a friend, he said.

“It’s really nice to have the option just to talk to peers because a lot of the time it’s a lot easier for us to relate to each other because we’re going through a lot of the same things,” Roose said.

ABBY DITMER | LANTERN REPORTER

“Be Well and Thrive” wall message located inside the Student Wellness Center within the Recreation and Physical Activity Center.

Midterm season: How students can manage their mental health while studying for exams

SAMUEL CIPRIANI Lantern reporter cipriani.30@osu.edu

Camden Puscheck said in the first week back from spring break, he had four midterms in three days and spent countless hours preparing for them.

“This has been the most stressful week that I’ve had as a college student,” Puscheck said.

Puscheck, a second-year in economics, said

regulating one’s mental state during weeks stacked heavily with exams is important because stress can have a major effect on performance.

“In my experience, if you’re not in a good place mentally, you may not be motivated to prepare well for tests and exams,” Puscheck said. “When I’m not feeling mentally strong, I find myself very unmotivated. So, that definitely plays a part in my academic success, particularly with test taking.”

Most students can take care of themselves during a regular week, although many experience significant changes in mental health when faced with exams, Harry Warner, a mental health counselor at Ohio State, said.

“Addressing stress and mental health concerns is so important because they can act as barriers to students’ goals,” Warner said. “In both academic and personal spheres, if a student is stressed out, it’s really hard for them to focus on what they want to do in life, and reducing this stress is

vital to improving mental health.”

Warner said when students are faced with a stressor — such as an exam or test — selfcare becomes less prioritized.

“Are you sleeping seven or eight hours a night? Are you eating regularly and getting enough nutrition? Are you staying in contact with people that make you feel cared for and connected?” Warner said. “These are some of the routines every student should try to practice, even during busy weeks or exams.”

Warner said conducting these practices daily can have a major role in improving students’ mental health.

Being well-prepared before and practicing relaxing during the exam are two steps students can take to improve their mental health prior to an exam, Warner said.

“Relaxation is so important because our cognitive abilities are better when our bodies are relaxed, we’re able to use more of our brain in this state of mind,” Warner said.

Warner said diaphragmatic breathing — using the large, dome-shaped muscle at the base of your lungs to breathe, according to the Cleveland Clinic — is a technique someone can use to help lower their blood pressure and heart rate.

Puscheck said balancing daily responsibilities and managing time efficiently is key to stress management during exams.

“My main strategy to stay mentally healthy during exams involves having short oneor two-hour study sessions where I focus and eliminate distractions for that brief interval of time,” Puscheck said. “The strategy allows me to get a lot done and be productive while also taking time in between for breaks and other activities.”

ZACHARY RILLEY PHOTO EDITOR

As midterm season approaches, many students find a second home in the Thompson Library reading rooms.

Day speaks on mental health, resilience in keynote speech at Ohio Union

KATE SHIELDS Lantern reporter shields.323@osu.edu

This story was originally published March 23, 2023 and was updated for the Wellness edition.

Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day reminded around 250 students that there’s always someone in their corner.

Day spoke about his mental health experiences in the Archie M. Griffin Ballroom at the Ohio Union March 23 as a part of “Tackling Challenges: Mental Health Talk with Coach Day.” Wellness Advocacy, a student organization focused on promoting both physical and mental wellness, hosted the event.

Before welcoming Day to the stage, athletic director Gene Smith encouraged the audience to embrace their blessings and relationships.

“I would encourage all of us to just remind ourselves that we always have someone that we can talk to,” Smith said.

Day began by expressing his appreciation for the city of Columbus and its role in promoting mental health.

“It’s great to be a part of such a great community and such a great city and state that puts mental health at the forefront,” Day said.

The topic of mental health is very important to Day, as he lost his father to suicide when he was 9 years old, he said.

“That was very confusing to me as a youngster,” Day said. “There were times where I was confused and didn’t understand what was going on.”

Day said he is trying to break the stigma around mental health, which influenced his decision to join the On Our Sleeves movement and start the Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent

Mental Wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital with his wife, Nina Day, in 2018.

“With our fund, what we do is we have many great kits where we’ve reached over a million classrooms across the country that have resources for teachers or counselors or just to help with mental health because a lot of people are unsure of how to do this,” Ryan Day said.

Ryan and Nina Day also donated $1 million through The Nina and Ryan Day Resilience Fund to the university for the funding of mental health and research services in August 2022.

“It’s just humbling to be a part of something that’s so progressive,” Ryan Day said.

Ryan Day said mental and physical health work together.

“Everytime I think I find myself in a situation where I’m trying to explain mental health, I just go back to physical health,” Ryan Day said.

Ryan Day said building resilience is very important and the only way to get stronger is by going through tough times.

“It’s just like when you look at somebody who may be bigger or stronger than someone just naturally, but you can lift weights and get stronger,” Ryan Day said. “We can do the same thing mentally.”

When discussing how he bounces back from bad days, he said it is important to remember that life is like a rollercoaster ride.

“There’s just some days where things are going great. And on those days you’re going to laugh, you’re going to have great meals, you’re going to have your family, you’ve got to enjoy them the best you can and go get all you can get,” Ryan Day said. “But then when things kind of go down, and they’re low, all you can do is kind of hang on.”

Ryan Day said football and life are both a fight to become the best version of yourself every day.

“It’s our job as coaches to give them that environment to be the best version of themselves,” Ryan Day said. “A big part of that is not only the environment, but having the resources in place to do that.”

Ryan Day said it is important for studentathletes to take the time to recover mentally.

“We have to rest,” Ryan Day said. “You can’t just keep going and going.”

Ryan Day ended his speech by thanking

the audience for attending the event and discussing a topic he sees as very important.

“When you talk about mental health, let’s talk about it in a positive manner that you can get excited about,” Ryan Day said. “We’re trying to help other people, and it’s the most rewarding thing you can do.”

KATIE GOOD ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

Head coach Ryan Day speaks following the Buckeyes’ Pro Day on March 22 in Columbus.