As we reach the one-month mark since classes officially began, the Fall 2024 semester is now in full swing. With this, it is important to remember to prioritize your own mental and physical health, while staying on top of all your course work. It can be very easy to slip into unhealthy routines and habits, but it is incredibly important to remind yourself to take breaks, find ways to channel your energy into something beneficial to your wellbeing, and to stay active. One way that you can do this is by taking advantage of the various activities and events that the University of North Dakota provides for its students and staff. A great example of one of these activities is called “Zen in 10.”
Zen in 10 is a free program for any and all students and staff at UND. This program is led by Kay Williams who is a Certified Yoga Relax and Renew Instructor. Each session focuses on taking time out of your day to breathe and stretch and can be a great way to de-stress along with your peers. The goal is for those who partake in the 10-minute session, to leave feeling more energized and ready to take on the rest of their day.
Multiple sessions are available to anyone in various locations around campus throughout the week. This fall, there are three sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday. The first session is at 9 a.m. in the McCannel Hall lobby. The next is at 9:30 a.m. in room 300C located in O’Kelly Hall. The last session takes place at 10:15 a.m. at the Gorecki Alumni Center in the Gransberg room or the West Lawn.
If your Tuesdays and Wednesdays are just too busy and you cannot make it to any of the sessions, there is another option for you. Every Thursday at 10 a.m. there is a virtual session held over Zoom. If you cannot seem to make Thursdays on Zoom work either, there is also a page for Zen in 10 on the UND website that has links to videos of 10-minute sessions that you can do on your own time when you want to. On this page, you can also find upcoming additional sessions that may not be included in the Fall semester schedule.
Zen in 10 is just one of the many opportunities for you to take a break from your studies and try something new during this Fall semester. It is important, especially during busy and stressful times, to find something to help you de-stress and a 10-minute break to breathe and stretch might just be all that you need.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
