A workshop regarding everyday stress and anxiety was one of the many multiple chapel options offered to students this past Thursday, Nov. 7. With Counseling Services holding the workshop, students had the opportunity to learn from two of the full-time licensed counselors on campus.
The workshop, which was held in Decker 230, was led by counselors Brian Daugherty and Angela Janutolo.
Students in attendance were given a 36-page packet meant to help guide the 50-minute session. The packet discussed a wide range of methods to help control stress and anxiety, while offering further resources that those in attendance could reflect on afterwards.
“The packet, while it was lengthy, did provide a lot of good material and a lot of good resources to check back on,” said an attendant.
Included in the informational packet were numerous phone apps and books that may help with personal sleep schedules, anxiety prevention and meditation.
The bulk of the Anxiety Toolbox Workshop was centered around the concept of a situational interactive model. The model discussed physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of anxiety and presented different methods to deal with certain triggers that can come about in day-to-day life.
“It was interesting to start at the top and kind of analyze each section of what causes you to be anxious or scared about something, and then how to prevent that,” said one attendee.
Certain breathing techniques and relaxation exercises were introduced by Daugherty and Janutolo, as well. Two specific hands-on exercises practiced were a progressive muscle relaxation exercise and a deep breathing exercise. Both were guided by Daugherty and Janutolo.
Students were given plenty of time throughout the workshop to practice these techniques and exercises, with questions being frequently welcomed. There were numerous times when the counselors would check in with those in attendance on where their anxiety levels were.
“I thought the entire workshop was extremely helpful,” said an attendee. “It provided a nice, open space for students to discuss if they wanted to discuss. I felt that it was very engaging.”
The initial Anxiety Toolbox Workshop was one of two sessions planned, with the next one happening on Nov. 14. The workshop will continue in Decker 230.
The capacity for both sessions was set at 30 attendants, but that number was not reached for the first session.
“I have to say that I definitely plan on going again,” said an attendee of the session. “I have mild anxiety, but the tools and resources that have been given to me have already started to help. I really hope to see more of this activity on campus. I hope that people don’t feel like they have to go, but it’s good stuff to have under your belt if you combat anxiety day-after-day.”
Planned topics to be covered in the Nov. 14 Anxiety Toolbox Workshop include methods to improve sleep, further study of the interactive model discussed in the first session, a personalized plan to combat anxiety and more.
Interested parties can still register by emailing Counseling Services before the Nov. 14 session.