Students at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., are being provided with resources to handle election-related stress, according to a letter obtained by The Free Press. The prestigious university is giving students at the McCourt School of Public Policy access to a “Self-Care Suite,” which includes activities like hot cocoa, building with Legos, mindfulness practices, milk and cookies, coloring, and meditation.
“In recognition of these stressful times, all McCourt community members are welcome to gather … in the 3rd floor Commons to take a much-needed break, joining us for mindfulness activities and snacks throughout the day,” wrote Jaclyn Clevenger, the school’s director of student engagement.
Georgetown isn’t the only school providing stress-relief options for students. The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, is offering its students cupcakes, as well as a “walkable labyrinth” with calming music and lighting, according to the New York Post. They also have a “Pause for Paws” event where students can cuddle with animals while enjoying hot chocolate. Later in the week, the university will host a “post-election processing space” where students can create art and enjoy baked potatoes.
At Missouri State University, a “self-care no phone zone” offers calm jars, coloring pages, and sensory fidget toys to help manage election-related emotions, The Free Press reported. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center has encouraged students to “find [their] flow” through collaborative art projects. Additional options include free fidget toys, therapy dogs, guided stretching, and science-based techniques for managing stress.
Harvard University, through its Divinity School, is providing students with “Sunshine,” a puppet, to help them unwind on Tuesday, as seen in a post on X. Northwestern University is offering a variety of activities including puzzles, crafts, snacks, and “brain breaks” to encourage students to focus on their well-being amid the election season.
