Health and Wellness Newsletter

Art it Out Drop-In Group

Join Anna Meilman at the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) for a low-key, drop-in space to de-stress through painting. Materials are provided. No previous art experience required.

Fridays 10am - 12pm

Runs through the end of the semester

Brandeis Counseling Center

Email annameilman@brandeis.edu with any questions.

Poll: What is your New Year's Resolution?

Stress management tips for exams

1. Start to study the material ahead of time to ensure that you can work on each class a few hours per day. This will help you avoid stressful cram sessions.
2. Use the strategies that work best for you. Some people enjoy preparing for exams in study groups while others prefer to write flashcards with key terms, or flow charts for concepts.
3. Ask for help if something is unclear. 
4. Eat nutritious food. It’s important to stay hydrated and eat regular meals while studying for exams.
5. Take regular breaks. Studying requires a lot of concentration and mental energy. Taking short breaks helps to refresh your brain and avoid tiredness.
6. Go outside. Spending time in nature reduces anxiety and increases relaxation.
7. Do something physical. Physical activity improves sleep and helps you unwind.
8. Meditate. Meditation reduces stress and improves focus. Even a short five-minute meditation could help you feel refreshed and refocused.
9. Reward yourself. Studying is hard. As you complete tasks and incremental study goals, be sure to reward yourself with opportunities to relax and have fun (e.g. meet with a friend, watch a movie, eat your favorite meal).

Crisis support: Feeling powerless

When navigating current events and our own personal stressors, feeling stuck and powerless is frustrating and can feel difficult to understand. Headspace teacher Kessonga explains this common feeling of powerlessness, and lets you know you're not alone in your feelings.

View on Youtube

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Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many individuals find themselves grappling with seasonal depression, a phenomenon commonly associated with the winter months called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Read more for practical advice to lift your spirits and cultivate a sense of well-being during the darker days. Embrace the winter season with resilience and find renewed strength in the face of seasonal challenges.

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Mindful spending for the holidays



The approaching holiday season may bring happiness and joy, but it can also bring stress and anxiety caused by choosing gifts, standing in long lines at the store, or chasing the best prices online. While we want to bring delight to our family and friends, holiday shopping can lead to overspending and financial stress.

Headspace has videos and meditations on budgeting, confronting debt, and talking about money in the “Mindful Money” section. It also includes a 10-lesson course on managing financial stress and mindful spending with tips and meditations.

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December recipes

The BudgetBytes website is a fantastic resource for students that cook. The site lists the price of each ingredient and the total cost of each dish, making it easy to factor these recipes in to your food budget. Here are some seasonal dishes to try:

• Navy bean soup
• Roasted delicata squash
• Vegan African peanut stew
• Gingerbread steel cut oats
• Creamy rice pudding

See the full list of winter recipes