Sage Kiernan-Sherrow | News Editor
Walking into Western’s Health and Wellness center on Oct. 23, students were instantly greeted by a wall of positivity-related sticky notes, and invited to “take one, leave one” to encourage kindness and gratitude. This was the introduction to Western’s Health and Wellness Fair, where the basketball court in Western’s Health and Wellness Center was converted into a fair-esque setting, arranged with tables representing various local businesses and campus organizations dedicated to supporting student health and wellness.
Students could walk from table to table to gain insight into different resources such as student support groups or local fitness-related programs. They were also able to take home free samples and score big prizes just for participating. Tables were giving out items like wolf-shaped stress balls, chapstick, supplements, coupons or free trials at various businesses and even essential oils.
Businesses like Dallas Health and Vitality Essentials were pioneering new technology, in this case, the BEMER, a chair designed to stimulates blood flow and oxygen supply.
“We are no longer getting our essential nutrients from the food we eat, we have a severe lack of vital vitamins, and as a result our blood is not circulating like it should,” said owner of the business, Laurie Vail, “(but) everybody’s body is different.”
Western students Chris Mizer and Daymon Stone were there representing the Monmouth Fitness Club. Both stated that they were “addicted to the gym.” Stone went as far as to say that he dedicates everything to his personal fitness and wants to open a gym in the future. Mizer said that his personal motto is “keep the first things first,” which translates to staying focused and not straying from your main goals.
Focusing more on the mental health aspect of overall wellness, Western’s Wellness Advocacy Group also attended the event, offering information related to their club, which meets Mondays from 4–5 p.m. in Todd Hall. According to Vice President Lea Sheldone and Social Media Coordinator Blanca De La Rosa, WAG orchestrates events like Paws for Positivity and the Out of Darkness walk for suicide prevention and awareness, which gathered over 140 people and raised almost $4,000 last year.
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
