Wellness Resources to Tap into This Winter

Drexel University has resources through the Recreation Center, Libraries and more to help you feel your best.
Serenity Suite

The library's Serenity Suite is stocked with soothing items and provides plenty of natural light. 

If you’re feeling a little less well these days, you’re not alone. It’s hard to feel your best when the temperatures plunge and the winter quarter or co-op stress skyrockets, but Drexel University has several resources students can use to add a little wellness back into their lives.

Use these resources or tips throughout your week to bring yourself back to your most well self — maybe you’ll learn about something you’ve never used before or remember a resource you haven’t used in a while.

Use the Wellness Zone or Serenity Suite

The Counseling Center and Drexel University Libraries both offer rooms for relaxation, where you can take time to cozy up with some soothing activities.

The Wellness Zone, which is affiliated with the Counseling Center and located in the Creese Student Center (room 201), offers one-hour check-ins; just sign in and leave your DragonCard at the front desk. You’re encouraged to take a break from devices and social media and instead use coloring books, yoga mats, sensory toys and other calming items.

At the Library’s Serenity Suite, you can reserve an appointment online and check out extra serenity items from the front desk. Inside, you’ll find comfy furniture, indoor plants like aloe vera and bamboo, and plenty of natural light.

Light lamp and sign explaining check out process
A light therapy box in the library can help ease symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. 

Check out a sunlight lamp from the library

If the dearth of daylight has you feeling downtrodden, you can check out a sunlight lamp from the front desk of the W. W. Hagerty Library. They mimic the brightness of a warmer day and can help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder or depression, plus help with circadian rhythms to help you get better sleep.

It’s best to use sunlight lamps daily for about 30 minutes in the morning. If you can’t use a lamp daily, try to use it every other day to get the most benefit from it.

Winter classes schedule for UREC

Winter schedule of classes at the Rec Center. 

Use group fitness classes at the Drexel University Recreation Center

The Rec Center offers at least one class every day, ranging from yoga and mat Pilates to Zumba, spin and Body Combat classes. These are free group workouts that you can register online for and attend as often as you want.

 “We do have quite a few services and programs that students may either need to pay a separate fee for or may be harder to find once they’re out of school, so it’s a good opportunity for students to take advantage of,” Director of University Recreation Orlin Jespersen said.

If you want more specialized training and don’t mind paying a fee, you can also access personal training, group training and swimming lessons.

Check out sports equipment from the Rec Center

The Rec Center has pretty much any equipment you might need in its different facilities and courts, Jespersen said, including basketballs, indoor volleyballs and squash equipment, including shoes for the courts. There are also items like weight belts for use in the gym, or tennis equipment and outdoor volleyballs for when it warms up enough to play outside.

Just use your DragonCard to check out your items, and make sure to bring them back before the end of the day to avoid being charged.

Head to the Bubble at Vidas for free play

The beloved bubble is back, this time at Vidas Field. It’s an air-supported structure over the field, so teams can play without being beholden to the weather. There is open play on Wednesday (6:30–9 p.m.), Friday (6–9 p.m.), Saturday (4–9 p.m.) and Sunday (1–4 p.m.), Jespersen said, so students can play ultimate Frisbee, pick-up soccer or other sports.

“We’re glad to have that space over at Vidas and hope that students can jump on the shuttle or take a quick walk over to use it,” Jespersen said.

Use the Rec Center’s Instagram

Jespersen encourages students to follow the Drexel Rec Center’s Instagram account, where the hours and open gym information are posted daily. You can also learn open swim hours and when the climbing wall and basketball courts are open.

“We’ve also done video clips and tips on different exercises people can try when they come into the gym, so it’s a good resource in that way, too,” Jespersen said.

Make an appointment with an academic coach

Make sure to address your academic wellness, too. Within the Center for Learning and Academic Success Services (CLASS), students can make appointments with peer academic coaches or look into professional coaching. Rather than focusing on certain subjects, an academic coach helps you develop successful study strategies, time management tools, test-taking skills and more.