Freshman Topher Witt concentrates on focusing his thoughts on a calming meditation ritual.

Campus relaxation remedies: Serene stretching

By: Jonathan Klain

Posted: 3/12/08

Students, relax … literally. At UW-Whitewater's Relaxation Days, students have a chance to go to the University Health Center, unwind, and, for a short while, forget about their hectic schedules.

The Relaxation Days seminars are led by Marilyn Kile, the Wellness and Sexual Assault coordinator. Kile has been instructing classes like this for 25 years, and started the current classes at UW-Whitewater.She teaches a number of different strategies each seminar so that students can keep attending the Relaxation Days and learn something new each time. Some techniques include guided imagery, tai chi, meditation, stretching and yoga.

There are four main elements a person needs to have to successfully achieve a relaxed state of being. These elements are a quiet environment, a mental device or a mantra, a passive attitude and a comfortable position.

Alex Clark, a junior economics major, said that he attended the event because life is moving so fast, and it's hard to catch up.

"With school, two jobs and being involved in three organizations, it's hard to find time to have fun," Clark said. "This seminar was exactly what I needed to forget about the hectic life I lead. I felt like I was ready to take on anything afterwards."

Kile said stress management is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She said after surveying a number of students, a study she was involved in found that stress was the number one problem students endure in their everyday lives. The study also found stress was the number one problem getting in the way of success in school.

The exercises Kile teaches serve two main purposes. The first is a short-term benefit. This is the benefit of relieving a person's stress for the time being, and to let the person feel relieved from their busy schedule.

Kile says the second reason is a long-term one, and most people don't know about it. This is that when practiced regularly, a person actually becomes accustomed to handling stress. After a while, someone practicing the relaxing exercises can regularly train their mind and body to naturally react better to the stressors in their life.

Kile said students don't need to experience the class to help relieve some of the stressors, however. She recommends earplugs or headphones to help relieve ambient noises when trying to study. Also, when trying to relax or sleep, a fan can really help.

"When we try and make ourselves relax, it actually becomes harder because our minds are focused on that task," Kile said. "The best thing you can do, is either do relaxing exercises, or just clear your mind. You need to give your mind and body a chance to just let go." Kile assures students that her methods work, and should always feel free to attend the Relaxation Days. They occur on the last Thursday of every month, except for next month because of spring break. March's Relaxation Day will be on the 20th.