Golden ways to refresh and recharge during the holiday break 

Congratulations, Golden Hawks! You made it through fall term and the end of 2020 is in sight. The holiday break is upon us, bringing with it some much needed time to rest, refresh and recharge after a truly unprecedented year. 

The holidays can also bring their own set of challenges, which may feel amplified due to the pandemic. Below you can learn about activities and resources offered by Laurier and our community partners to support your physical, mental and emotional health during the break and as you prepare for the winter term. 

Keep Moving 

It’s no secret – physical activity is good for your mind, body and soul. Check out the following YouTube channels for prerecorded workouts you can do at home. 

• Healthy Hawks Fitness: Includes cardio, kickboxing and yoga classes led by Laurier Athletics’ student staff. 
• YMCA at Home: Includes strength training for all fitness levels, cardio, yoga and pilates recordings. 
• Laurier Athletics’ Short Stretch Breaks: This video can help you increase and restore blood flow, reduce stress on overworked muscles and restore focus.   

Mind Your Mind 

Taking care of your mental and emotional well-being will help you better navigate life. Read how in the following articles by members of the Laurier community. 

• "Ideas for Surviving at Home With Your Family" by Heather Landells, RSW, MSW, Laurier Residence Life counsellor. 
• “Suffering from Burnout? You're Not Alone!” by Jessica Linton, second-year Laurier student and peer wellness educator. 
• “Social Media and the News During Difficult Times,” by Lauren MacGregor, MSW, RSW, Laurier counsellor. 

Free Essential Self-Care and Resiliency Course 

Looking to dive deeper into maintaining your well-being? Laurier offers a free online self-care and resiliency course. Developed by the university’s Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being, the course provides knowledge and skills to help individuals cope with stressful situations in everyday life.  

Relax and Unwind 

From reading and writing to hiking or gaming, check out these “golden” suggestions to chill out during the break. 

• Read How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa, Laurier creative writing instructor and winner of the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize.  
• Connect with other Golden Hawk gamers through Laurier eSports Live, Laurier’s competitive and recreational eSports leagues. 
• Be inspired and entertained by Love in the Time of COVID, a video compilation produced by the Laurier Library featuring performances by arts organizations in Waterloo Region.

Indigenous Initiatives 

Take part in a virtual smudging ceremony with Margaret Neveau, Indigenous student support coordinator at the Brantford campus. Smudging is a traditional form of cleansing using Indigenous medicines, often white sage. This cleansing helps clear the mind, calm emotions and reset the energy in a room.  

If you are an Indigenous student looking for more information about medicine use, please contact the Indigenous Student Centre at indigenous@wlu.ca. 

Graduate Student Supports and Resources 

Life as a grad student can be stressful. In addition to the above supports and resources, the following are available specifically to graduate students at Laurier: 

• Peer Support Program: This program aims to create a space where graduate students can be supported by other graduate students who understand their shared experiences. 
• Empower Me: A confidential mental health and wellness service that seeks to contribute to a resilient student community by supporting existing on-campus and other student mental health resources.  
• Performance Anxiety in Graduate School: Part of the Ride the Wave series led by Laurier’s campus wellness centres, this workshop examines ways to handle performance anxiety, improve mental wellness and find inner calm. 
• Graduate Students’ Association: Check out the association website for additional supports, resources and networking opportunities.  

Lend a Golden Hand 

Helping others and giving back are great ways to boost your mood and shift your mindset. Laurier has established meaningful partnerships in our host communities that you can support.  

Give Blood 

Laurier is a Canadian Blood Services’ Partner for Life. As a member of the Laurier community, your blood donations can count toward Laurier’s annual pledge. If you are able to donate blood, roll up your sleeve and help us beat our pledge goal for 2020 and 2021. Book an appointment online and add Laurier’s partner ID: WILF001529. 

Help an Animal in Need 

Laurier is part of animal foster programs at the Brant County SPCA and Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth. Learn how you can help animals in need in our host communities. 

Need more inspiration?

Check out what other members of the Laurier community have done to contribute during the pandemic. 

Get Ready for Winter 2021 

An extended holiday break means the winter 2021 term begins Monday, Jan. 11. Take some time to prepare and plan for a successful term. 

• Review your progression requirements in the academic calendar. If you need help making a plan to meet your requirements for the winter term, connect with your academic advisor or graduate supervisor. 
• Check out the academic support resources available to you. Mathematics and Statistics Support, Writing Services, and Study Skills and Learning Skills and Development are here to support you through one-on-one appointments and workshops.
• Graduate students: Explore the academic and research supports and resources available to you through ASPIRE, including writing support, research workshops, and the Laurier Library.