ALYSSA BUMP
Special to The Leader
There is one thing that college students universally experience: stress.
Between exams, internships and the buildup of student loan debt, it is common for students to feel anxiety.
In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, 41 percent of college students struggle with anxiety. So, the question remains: what can be done to ease this stress?
Various groups and resident assistants in Fredonia are now taking action to host events that will help students de-stress. Many of them are resorting to craft-related events.
One of these groups is known as WHOA, or Weekend Hang-Out Activities.
On Feb. 1, the group hosted a paint-your-own flower pot event in Tim Hortons. They also provided free succulents to put in said planters to take home.
One of the organizers of this event, Marilia Riva Andrade said that, “WHOA plans free events every weekend for students to attend on campus, it gives students a nice break from the hecticness of college.”
Sixty-three students attended this event on Saturday night. The original goal WHOA set was 50 participants.
Looking around this event, it was evident that people were expressing themselves creatively.
One student painted a recreation of “The Starry Night,” while someone else painted Baby Yoda holding a succulent.
When asked why they chose to do an artistic craft that particular weekend, Richard Sanders, another organizer of the event, said, “We have noticed that students tend to enjoy painting and making something they can take home. Painting is a soothing and stress-relieving activity.”
Sanders and Andrade are not the only people that have noticed this trend.
The American Art Therapy Association found that 45 minutes of creative activity lessens stress in the body. Regardless of whether or not someone is artistic, this creative expression will still reduce stress for virtually everyone.
Kaitlyn Gatto, one of the participants of Saturday’s event, said artistic expression helps her relax.
She said the reason she came to this event was to, “get some R&R. It’s nice to have an opportunity on campus that allows you to find happiness in something other than your studies.”
Jamie Gaiser, a resident assistant in Hemingway Hall, also hosted an artistic event on Jan. 30 where residents could paint wooden letters.
Gaiser said, “I thought letter painting would be a nice stress reliever. My goal is to allow residents to unwind.”
Disney Hall’s Craft Room reopened on Feb. 3. This week’s activity is to create vision boards.
The Craft Room is open Monday through Wednesday 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. and Saturday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.