The last 2 years have been particularly hard, especially when it comes to mental health. Now more than ever, students are realizing the importance of exercise and physical wellbeing, and their strong correlation with mental health. For my family and me, COVID-19 took a toll on our mental health as we constantly felt anxious and nervous. Once we started focusing on exercise and physical health, we noticed that these feelings became more manageable and started to prioritize our wellbeing in this way. Activities including yoga and hiking are great examples of activities offered at UREC that are beneficial for both physical and mental health. Aside from our massive and updated gym that is open from 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m., there are all kinds of free classes, adventures and services at UREC for students to take advantage of.
Visit the wellness and rehab center
Indulge in a massage service offered through Cedar Stone Spa
Make an appointment with a wellness coach to discuss topics like nutrition analysis, substance misuse prevention, sexual and relationship health, wellness coaching and bystander intervention
Make an appointment with the athletic training office for injury care
Participate in group activities
Sign up for an exercise class held both indoors and outdoors
Join an intramural team by yourself or with a group
Sign up for a cooking class to learn easy recipes and ways to stay healthy
Step out of your comfort zone
Rent out equipment for biking, hiking, kayaking and camping
Go on the rock wall located on the first floor
Visit the pool, hot tub, and sauna located on the first floor
As a senior here at JMU, I often get stressed about my academics and my plans for after college. I enjoy coming to UREC to destress and distract myself in a healthy way. It only takes a small amount of time each day to make a huge change in your lifestyle. My mom always tells me that I will miss UREC and all the unique opportunities it has to offer because after graduation, most of these amazing opportunities will not be available, especially for free! In a busy and demanding life like the ones of us college students, it is important to take care of our mental and physical health so that we can prosper in academics and everything else we undertake. Visit https://www.jmu.edu/recreation/index.shtml for more information about making the most out of UREC!