Thrive Week

Thrive 2020/2021

This Winter, Thrive will be taking place in March to help prevent burnout and provide support at the end of term. While you may not feel like you are thriving right now, we want to help you get one step closer. You can participate in Thrive remotely March 1 to 5 and access even more virtual resources, workshops, and support which will be available for the weeks to follow Thrive. This way, more students will be able to participate in Thrive throughout the month of March.

All events are free and registration is not required unless noted below. Note that all students are welcome to attend these events.

Did you attend an event and want to share your thoughts? Use our Event Feedback Form. Do you have thoughts about Thrive as a whole? Use our Thrive Feedback Form. By providing feedback you can be entered to win some great prizes!

Participate at your own pace

Didn't have time to join us for a live event? Check out some recorded workshops and resources below to learn about maintaining your mental health as we enter the end of Winter term. We will be adding more recorded workshops and resources each week!

Staying Active

World Walking Challenge

Join the Walking Challenge | Description: The Laurier community is invited to take the world walking virtual challenge as we Hike the Highlands of Scotland from home. Create an account at worldwalking.org and search THRIVE Laurier group. Join the group, add your steps, and watch as we progress as a group! Search for "Thrive Laurier" at the link.

Courtesy of our friends at Athletics & Recreation, we have the following recorded videos that will help you stay active and and learn more about physical wellness on your own time.

Children's Calm Down Yoga

Access Playlist | Description: A ten minute practice to calm down busy minds and bodies, with your favourite breathing buddy! You can find this video under the "Laurier Recreation" playlist on YouTube.

Children's Energetic Yoga

Access Playlist | Description: A ten minute practice to get your body moving and energized for your day! You can find this video under the "Laurier Recreation" playlist on YouTube.

Using Supplements: Personal Training Workshop Series

Access Playlist | Description: This recorded workshop will discuss using supplements for performance and recovery. You can find this video under the "Laurier Recreation" playlist on YouTube.

Building Muscle: Personal Training Workshop Series

Access Playlist | Description: This recorded workshop will discuss choosing specific exercises for building muscles. You can find this video under the "Laurier Recreation" playlist on YouTube.

Using Protein: Personal Training Workshop Series

Access Playlist | Description: This recorded workshop will discuss using protein for performance and recovery. You can find this video under the "Laurier Recreation" playlist on YouTube.

Check out more great videos at the Laurier Athletics YouTube channel.

Skill Building Workshops

Using the Student Wellness Centre, Remotely

Access Recorded Workshop | Password: SWC_Services_2021 | Description: In this session, learn how you can access some of the clinical and educational services offered from the Wellness Centres in Brantford and Waterloo.

Golden Rules Module 2: Strengths, Balance and Confidence

Access Recorded Workshop | Password: bSEF*0WN | Description: We are resilient in the activities that we love most, as we are able to find ways to overcome obstacles so that we can complete these activities. How can we tap into these strategies and attitudes when faced with challenges that we do not want to do, or feel that we cannot accomplish? Attend this workshop to learn more about creating positive habits that will help you persist in achieving your long-term goals. Please note this workshop will be available after March 1.

#Got FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

Link coming soon | Description: Got #FOMO? Join staff from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Accessible Learning Centre and Student Wellness Centre to learn about Fear of Missing Out beyond the hashtag! In this workshop we will: explore what is FOMO; how it can be experienced; learn strategies for preventing and coping with FOMO; and knowing when to seek help for FOMO.

Read on your own time

Part of staying well is expanding your knowledge and learning more about how you can prioritize your well-being. The following are some highlighed articles written by student volunteers, clinicians, and educators at the Student Wellness Centre. Since we know it cna be hard to find time this year to attend a workshop or group, we are regularly writing new articles on a variety of topics that we would normally cover in workhops. You can find more of these using our Wellness Library.

Suffering from Burnout? You’re not alone by Jessica Linton, Peer Wellness Educator (Nov. 19, 2020)

Fend Off Digital Fatigue by Sarah Syrett, MSW (Aug. 7, 2020)

Social Media and the News During Difficult Times by Lauren MacGregor, MSW, RSW (May 20, 2020)

COVID-19 and Grief by Debbie Sedlmeir, MSW, RSW (June 2, 2020)

What to Expect from Remote Counselling in the Student Wellness Centre by Chris Kardol, MSW, RSW (updated Sept. 25, 2020)

Ride the Waves of COVID-19 and Beyond: Understanding Your Reactions by Sam Katerji, MA, RP and Carrie Pollard, MSW, RSW (April 27, 2020)

Self-Care During COVID-19 (Bridging the Gap)

Bridging the Gap Laurier is hoping to gain student thoughts on what they have been doing to support their mental health during COVID. We will be taking these student responses to create a video to air in the week of March 8-12

You can participate in this project here.

Stress-Free Resume Feedback via Email

Mon. to Fri. | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Email careerbrantford@wlu.ca |Appointment not required

Description: Stress free, ZOOM free, and doesn’t cost a penny! Looking for a job can be stressful but improving your resume doesn’t have to be. Send your resumes into the Laurier Career Centre for a personalized review containing feedback and additional resources. We aim to respond with a complete review within 2 business days of receiving your resume. Whether you are looking for summer work, or thinking about a master’s program, we can provide guidance at all stages of career planning and job search. Feel free to inquire about how we help today.

Other

Crock Pot Kitchen Party

Recorded Workshop Coming March 8 | Description: Join Guest Chef: Dr. Ivan Joseph as he makes Chili! Students from any campus to participate in a 4-week series of virtual cooking lessons. Students will also receive a booklet of the recipes we will be making during the series, as well as information about community food supports, nutrition tips, food safety and sustainability, and more!

Thriving with Music Playlist

Access Playlist | Description: Spreading positivity and wellness through music! Sing and dance your way through Thrive week with this curated playlist. Flex your creativity and make your own playlist of positive music that keeps you going!

About Thrive

Thrive is a weeklong series of free events to build positive mental health on campus. Thrive began at the University of British Columbia in 2009. Laurier adopted the program in 2017 and now runs Thrive every Fall and Winter term on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Thrive is overseen by Laurier's Mental Health Advisory Committee, and incorporates student input and feedback when planning the week.

If you are interested in collaborating with Thrive Week, contact Nathan Reeve on the Waterloo campus, and contact Sarah Syrett on the Brantford campus.

Feedback

We are trying new things every term and we want to hear what you liked or what we can do better next time. Use our Event Feedback Form to let us know your thoughts on a specific event you attended. Or if you would like to share your thoughts about Thrive in general, use our Thrive Feedback Form.

Have feedback regarding other mental health programming throughout the year? Whether it is a new event or workshop you woud like to see, or certain topics you would like to be covered, please let us know. Submit your ideas using our mental health suggestion box.