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Thrive
Thrive is a weeklong series of free events to build positive mental health on campus!
The Student Wellness Centre works with partners across the university to bring students a week of workshops, social events, giveaways and more, all dedicated to supporting your mental health! Thrive runs every October and March on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Laurier Human Resources also coordinates Thrive activities for faculty and staff.
The goals of Thrive are to:
- Improve mental health literacy: the understanding of how to obtain and maintain positive mental health with healthy habits and self-care skills.
- Foster a caring, supportive community.
- Promote the resources to help you Thrive as student.
- Encourage a proactive, preventative approach to your wellness.
Why Participate in Thrive?
Your mental health matters! Mental health IS health. You cannot excel if you are not well. No matter where you are in your journey, whether you are thriving or surviving, we are here to support you and your wellness. We want to help you explore your path to mental wellbeing, so you can Thrive at Laurier!
Winter Thrive Events
Thrive Week will return March 6 to 10, 2023! Check out our full event calendar below!
Thrive Kickoff Breakfast Bar
10 a.m. to noon (or until supplies last)|
Waterloo: Concourse, and Brantford: OM207-46 | Drop In
Kick off Thrive week with a free breakfast! We will have bagels and toppings, yogurt, coffee and tea. Vegan and gluten-free options provided!
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Nourish, Connect
Caffeine Cart
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Waterloo Campus | Drop In
Keep an eye out for the Dean of Students Office walking around campus with free coffee and fresh fruit!
Hosted by: Dean of Students
Pillars: Nourish, Connect
Creative Writing and Mindfulness for Wellbeing
3 to 4 p.m. | Brantford: CB100 | Register in advance
Join Christin Wright-Taylor from Writing Services to learn about how creative writing can connect with mindfulness and support our wellness. We will learn about and practice mindfulness as well as some creative writing exercises. We will explore how these exercises can help you de-stress and boost your mental health. All attendees will receive a notebook and pen to support your creative writing and wellness journey. There will be a prize draw for students who come to the event!
Hosted by: Writing Services and Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Relax, Create
Strengths, Balance, Confidence
3 to 4 p.m. | Brantford: RCW324 | Register in advance
Whether we realize it or not, we all have strengths that can help us thrive at Laurier. Learn to identify your top strengths and how you can use these strengths to successfully overcome future challenges. This workshop is part of the Growing Your Strengths: Laurier's Resiliency Toolkit program.
Hosted by: Dean of Students and Student Success
Pillars: Learn, Connect
Graffitti Wall "Take What You Need, Give What You Can"
3 to 4:30 p.m. | Waterloo: Welcome Centre Mural, first floor Peters | Drop In
Come and give or get some advice on how to thrive and have a successful term. We're also giving away snacks and swag!
Hosted by: Student Success
Pillars: Connect, Nourish
Fitness Class: Glow-in-the-Dark CycleFit
7 to 7:45 p.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex, 2nd floor of Fitness Centre | Drop In
Join the party with Athletics and Recreation for Glow-in-the-Dark Cyclefit! Make sure you wear white to glow!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Learn
#SUGiftsThat
All day | Waterloo campus | Drop In
Every day from March 6th to 10th, Your Students' Union will be hiding a Wilf's gift card voucher on the Waterloo campus. Be sure to keep an eye on @campuslifewaterloo on Instagram to view the daily hint and seek out your chance to win!
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Pillars: Move, Connect
Brantford Breakfast Bar
9 to 11 a.m. | Brantford: OM206-30 | Drop In
Grab some breakfast on your way to class, connect with your peers, or find out more about university services. There will be vegan and gluten-free options available. This program is generously funded by the Student Life Levy and offered in partnership with the Student Wellness Centre and the Dean of Students Office.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Nourish, Connect
Make Your Own Trail Mix
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Waterloo: Concourse | Drop In
Looking for a healthy snack? Stop by the Concourse to make your own trail mix!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Nourish, Create
Learn a Latte
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Brantford: OM Level 1 Lounge | Drop In
Let’s face it, academics and coffee are a part of our daily grinds. Join the Student Success team to make lattes, create your own study schedule and chat about strategies for your upcoming midterms and exams. It’s the perfect blend! You’ll want to take advantage of this event before trouble starts to brew. We can’t espresso enough how beneficial this event will be, so we’ll save some puns for the event! Java nice day!
Hosted by: Dean of Students and Student Success
Pillars: Learn, Connect
Explore Who You Are
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Zoom | Drop In
Do you love doing online quizzes? Learn more about yourself! An introduction to the assessments and activities we offer at the Career Centre to learn more about who you are, your passions, personality and values. Explore how learning about yourself can impact your choices and make the most of your time at Laurier and beyond! This workshops is facilitated by Jenn Hicks, Career Consultant.
Hosted by: Career Development Centre
Pillars: Learn, Connect
Nature Walk with Dogs
12 - 12:50 p.m. | Waterloo and Brantford | Drop In
Take a stress break and join some friendly pups and peers on a walk through the natural spaces around campus. This walk is great for our social, mental and physical wellness! Meet us at noon in the orchard between Martin Luther and the library on the Waterloo campus, or at the front entrance to One Market on the Brantford campus.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Move, Connect
Self-Love Yoga Class
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Studio 4 | Drop In
Join a soothing self love yoga class led by Alyssa to de-stress and focus on yourself. No previous yoga experience is necessary.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Relax
Building Resilience
4 to 5 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Resilience is the capacity to adapt and recover in the face of stress and adversity, and it’s a skill that can be developed! This workshop will teach you how to build your resilience, so you can move from merely surviving the postsecondary experience to actually thriving, so you can better cope with stress and bounce back quicker from adversity. This workshop counts as an elective toward the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
Study Smarter, Not Longer
4 to 5 p.m. | Waterloo: P224 | Drop In
Identify more effective ways to study and put your new study techniques to practice. We’ll cover the fundamentals of university learning using Bloom’s Taxonomy and how to make the most of your study time. This workshop is from the Academic Skills certificate program.
Hosted by: Student Success
Pillars: Learn, Connect
Skills to Thrive
6 to 7 p.m. | Zoom | FULL
Skills to Thrive is a program led by the Peer Wellness Educators and eligible for a certificate for your Laurier Experience Record. This program covers: understanding wellness, sleep, physical activity, stress and self-care, building a supportive community, and building your own personal plan for wellness! Be sure to submit your registration by February 27th to participate in this program. Update: this event has reached maximum registration.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
#SUGiftsThat
All day | Waterloo campus | Drop In
Every day from March 6th to 10th, Your Students' Union will be hiding a Wilf's gift card voucher on the Waterloo campus. Be sure to keep an eye on @campuslifewaterloo on Instagram to view the daily hint and seek out your chance to win!
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Pillars: Move, Connect
Brantford Breakfast Bar
9 to 11 a.m. | Brantford: OM206-30 | Drop In
Grab some breakfast on your way to class, connect with your peers, or find out more about university services. There will be vegan and gluten-free options available. This program is generously funded by the Student Life Levy and offered in partnership with the Student Wellness Centre and the Dean of Students Office.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Nourish, Connect
Wellness Wednesday Mall Walks
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Brantford: one Market L1 Lounge | Drop In or Register
Join the Student Wellness Centre and Athletics and Recreation to walk WLU Brantford’s very own mall (One Market)! We will introduce some stretches, and then go on a 30-minute walk. Come dressed in all your best neon clothing and accessories! We will also have fun t-shirt painting for up to 10 students before the walk. Students who register in advance and attend three walks can be entered into a draw to win a prize!
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre and Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Connect
Chilling with Dogs
12 to 1 p.m. | Waterloo: Martin Luther University College Chapel | Drop In
Need a break from all that campus life throws at you? Spend some quality time with our four-legged friends. This program runs every Wednesday from noon - 1:00 p.m. in Luther's Keffer Memorial Chapel. Play with friendly dogs, have fun and de-stress.
Hosted by: Martin Luther Univeristy College
Pilllars: Relax, Connect
Bee Mindful
1 - 2 p.m. | Brantford: OM207-01 | Register in advance
Did you know that to make to make one pound of local honey, one hive of 80,000 bees will visit two million flowers around our campus in downtown Brantford? The Bee Mindful event will explore the incredible world of bees and their important role as pollinators. Tour our Laurier apiary on the rooftop of One Market. Slow down and learn about the power of mindfulness through a honey tasting experience. Please register by Monday, March 6th. There are limited spots available so register early!
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre, WLU Brantford Apiary, and LSPIRG
Pillars: Relax, Learn
Spa-Di-Da
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Brantford: Student Centre Multipurpose Room | Register in advance
Join the Accessible Learning Centre for an afternoon of Zen and self-care while we make natural ingredient face masks and take some time to relax!
Hosted by: Accessible Learning Centre
Pillars: Relax, Create
Strengths, Balance, Confidence
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Waterloo: P224 | Register in advance
Whether we realize it or not, we all have strengths that can help us thrive at Laurier. Learn to identify your top strengths and how you can use these strengths to successfully overcome future challenges. Snacks and giveaways! This workshop part of the Growing Your Strengths: Laurier's Resiliency Toolkit program.
Hosted by: Dean of Students and Student Success
Pillars: Learn, Nourish
I Failed, Now What?
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Brantford: OM209 | Register in advance
When all else fails, think about your thinking! This workshop will walk you through a personal self-assessment of your outcome and provide self-regulated learning strategies to help recover from a fail assessment or poor grade. This workshop is part of the Academic Skills Certificate program.
Hosted by: Dean of Students and Transition & Learning Services
Pillars: Learn, Nourish
Fitness Class: Rock Bottom
3 to 3:45 p.m. | Waterloo Athletic Complex Studio 1 | Drop In
Stop by and join this Rock Bottom Fitness class, where you will use a variety of equipment to strengthen your lower body.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Connect
Anxiety and Depression 101
3 to 4 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
The Skill-Building Modules for Anxiety and Depression is a series of in-person workshops that will help you learn skills to manage anxiety and depression. Anxiety and Depression is one of the four modules, which can be taken in any order. In this module we will talk about what is anxiety, what is depression, and how does it affect us? We will learn how both anxiety and depression show up in our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and what we can do about to feel more in control. This workshop counts as an elective for the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
Mastering Time Management
4 to 5 p.m. | Zoom | Drop-In
Develop a calendar for the term, as well as detailed weekly schedules to help you complete all of your readings, assignments and studying throughout the term. This workshop is from the Academic Skills certificate program.
Hosted by: Student Success
Pillar: Learn, Connect
Music and Mood: Building a Motivation-Boosting Playlist
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Waterloo: P111 | Register in advance
Music can boost our mood, self-esteem, and memory, while diminishing stress and anxiety. This workshop will lead students to create their own playlist of curated songs focused on increasing motivation and confidence, facilitated by fourth year Community Music student Morgan Myers. Bring a laptop or your phone to the workshop. Spaces are limited; register early to reserve your spot.
Hosted by: Morgan Myers and the Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Create, Relax
Fitness Class: Rockin' it with the Rock Wall
6 to 8 p.m. | Waterloo Athletic Complex Rock Wall | Drop In
Join Athletics and Recreation for a fun night at AC's climbing wall! Come climb, eat some snacks, and listen to music!
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Connect
#SUGiftsThat
All day | Waterloo campus | Drop In
Every day from March 6th to 10th, Your Students' Union will be hiding a Wilf's gift card voucher on the Waterloo campus. Be sure to keep an eye on @campuslifewaterloo on Instagram to view the daily hint and seek out your chance to win!
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Pillars: Move, Connect
Journaling for Your Mental Wellness
11 a.m. to noon | Waterloo: P111 | FULL
This workshop will highlight the benefits of journaling, as well as offer different types of journaling styles. You will learn how journaling can create a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, and act as a relaxation and mindfulness tool. You will get to practice and take home different types of journaling exercises, so they can find the style that best suits them. All attendees will receive a notebook and pen to support your creative writing and wellness journey. Update: this event has reached maximum registration.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre and Writing Services
Pillars: Learn, Create
Paints, Plants and Peers
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Waterloo and Brantford | Register in advance (both sessions FULL)
Come get creative with the Wellness Education team! Take an hour to de-stress by painting a clay pot and getting to know your peers. At the end of the event, you'll get an indoor plant to take home in your newly decorated pot! This event will take place in P119 on the Waterloo campus and the Multipurpose Room of the Students' Union Building on the Brantford campus. Spaces are limited so be sure to register early! Update: these events have reached capacity.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Create, Relax
Goal Getter
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Zoom | Drop In
Understand the science behind your habits and how habits are connected to goal setting. This workshop will review how to create positive learning habits and set effective goals! This workshop is from the Academic Skills certificate program.
Hosted by: Student Success
Pillar: Learn, Connect
Emotional Regulation
3 to 4 p.m. | Zoom | Drop In
The DBT Coping Skills workshops review the skills of dialectical behaviour therapy, a form of talk therapy that teaches skills to manage intense emotions and difficult feelings. This workshop is one of four workshops in the Distress Tolerance DBT Coping Skills Workshop series. You do not have to attend all four sessions, but it is recommended. Drop in on Zoom to learn how to get through difficult situations that may be emotionally overwhelming. This workshop is led by a clinical counsellor from the Student Wellness Centre.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
Finding Your Bliss
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Learn how to uncover your talents, find meaning through your work, passions, and utilize what brings you joy. Explore the intersections of spiritual and vocational wellness and how they impact our whole wellbeing. This workshop is led by Jessica, the Wellness Education Assistant, and Sarina, the Manager of Wellness Education and a Career Development Practitioner. This is one of the core workshops in the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
Fitness Class: Muscle Pump
5 to 5:45 p.m. | Waterloo Athletic Complex Studio 1 | Drop In
Looking to improve your energy and strength? Join Athletics and Recreation for free Muscle Pump! This moderate to high intensity class
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Connect
Yoga Class: Mind over Mat(ter)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Brantford: LBYMCA | Drop In
Athletics & Recreation along with the LBYMCA invites you to join us for a relaxing group yoga session. We ask that you please bring your own mat if possible.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillar: Move, Relax
Taking Charge of Your Wellness
7 to 8 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Learn about holistic wellness, and how you can take a proactive, preventative approach to build wellness in each of the seven dimensions of wellness. This workshop is led by Claire, Wellness Education Coordinator, and one of the core workshops required to complete the Wellness Education Certificate.
Hosted by: The Student Wellness Centre
Pillar: Learn
#SUGiftsThat
All day | Waterloo campus | Drop In
Every day from March 6th to 10th, Your Students' Union will be hiding a Wilf's gift card voucher on the Waterloo campus. Be sure to keep an eye on @campuslifewaterloo on Instagram to view the daily hint and seek out your chance to win!
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Pillars: Move, Connect
Fitness Class: Cycle Fit
9 to 9:45 a.m. | Waterloo: Athletic Complex Fitness Centre Second Floor | Drop In
Join this high intensity cardio class on a stationary bike.
Hosted by: Athletics and Recreation
Pillars: Move, Connect
Fresh Fruit Friday
10 a.m. to noon | Waterloo: P111 and Brantford Student Wellness Centre | Drop In
We are bringing back a Laurier student favourite! Join us on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses for the start of Fresh Fruit Fridays! Come visit us for delicious fresh fruit to fuel your mind and body. Meet members of our team, and learn about the range of wellness resources at Laurier! This event is open to all graduate students as well as staff and faculty.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre
Pillars: Nourish, Connect
De-Stress with Dogs
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Brantford: OM206-30 | Drop In
Midterms are upon us and exams can be "ruff"…come relax with some cute dogs! The ALC and Wellness Education invites you to join the volunteers of Therapeutic Paws of Canada as they bring their therapy dogs to the Brantford campus. Come out, meet and pet the dogs and de-stress for midterms!
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre and Accessible Learning Centre
Pillars: Relax, Connect
Sustainability in Action: Coping with Climate Grief, Eco Anxiety and Taking Action for our Planet
1 to 2 p.m. | Zoom | Register in advance
Join the Sustainability Office and the Student Wellness Centre as we discuss climate change, explore the impacts, and learn to normalize sharing our concerns in collaborative space. We will look at its mental health impacts and how we can redirect our energy towards meaningful action in the community to protect our planet. Students who attend will be eligible to win a prize.
Hosted by: Student Wellness Centre and Sustainability Office
Pillar: Learn
#SUGiftsThat
All day | Waterloo campus | Drop In
Every day from March 6th to 10th, Your Students' Union will be hiding a Wilf's gift card voucher on the Waterloo campus. Be sure to keep an eye on @campuslifewaterloo on Instagram to view the daily hint and seek out your chance to win!
Hosted by: Your Students' Union
Pillars: Move, Connect
The Six Pillars of Mental Health
Our wellness is impacted by many different factors, and is personal to ourselves; everyone has different ways of boosting their mental health. Wellness and mental health are also holistic, which means that many different parts of who we are and the different dimensions of wellness impact our wellbeing. We encourage taking a proactive and holistic approach to promote and protect your mental health. There are multiple approaches you can use to build and sustain good mental health, and we recommend exploring them all!
We have organized our Thrive events into six pillars. Each pillar contributes to our mental health in different ways. You can participate in Thrive events that touch on all six pillars of mental health.
Learn: We can learn new skills, habits, and strategies to impact our mental health - from academic success to information about mental health.
Connect: Social connections encourage us to be part of a caring, supportive community.
Relax: Sleep, rest and relaxation are crucial for reducing stress and functioning at our best.
Nourish: Nutrition fuels our mind as well as our bodies.
Create: Being playful and creative can increase positive emotions and confidence, while reducing our stress.
Move: Movement has proven benefits for our mental health, from reducing feelings of anxiety to increasing resilience.
The History of Thrive
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. Thrive is overseen by Laurier's Mental Health Advisory Committee, and incorporates student input and feedback when planning the week.
Thrive Partners
Thrive events are brought to you by the following partners:
- Student Wellness Centre
- Athletics and Recreation
- Student Success
- Writing Services
- The Sustainability Office
- Residence
- Career Development Centre
- LSPIRG
- Centre for Student Equity Diversity and Inclusion
- Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management
- Your Students' Union
- Accessible Learning Centre
- The Dean of Students Office
- Martin Luther University College
- WLU Brantford Apiary
If you are a campus partner interested in collaborating with Thrive Week, contact Sarina Wheeler on the Waterloo campus, and contact Claire Howarth on the Brantford campus.
Asynchronous Content
Enjoy these YouTube videos at your leisure:
Careers in Mental Health Panel
Learn about different careers related to mental health by watching this previously recorded event with four alumni representing diverse wellness/helping roles.
Hosted by: The Career Development Centre
From Dogs to Bunnies, Meet the Pet Friends of Accessible Learning
Fosters on Deck
A Day in the Life of a Laurier Student's Dog
Animals are wonderful support companions for our mental wellbeing. Brantford SPCA and Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society has partnered with Laurier for their Foster Program. Learn how you can be a Foster Parent and help provide a loving temporary home for an animal in need!
Hosted by: Accessible Learning.
Instagram Contest
Be sure to follow us @LaurierWellness on Instagram and watch for our contest posted March 1st! You could win a $150 gift card to well.ca! Check out our Instagram page for the details.
Feedback
Share your feedback about Thrive:
Once you've attended a Thrive event, use our Thrive Feedback Form - with prizes to be won for sharing your thoughts! We appreciate your feedback so we can continue to improve Thrive!
Winners can select their prize from the following:
- a weighted blanket
- an airfryer
- a slow cooker
Share your feedback about Mental Health at Laurier:
Have feedback regarding other mental health programming throughout the year? Whether it is a new event or workshop you would 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.
Follow Us
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, for mental health and wellness information, prizes, trivia and more!
Contact Us
For questions about Thrive, please reach out to the Wellness Education team at wellnessed@wlu.ca.