2012 Wellness Expo Today
Free massage and acupuncture, demos, giveaways
Approximately 1,100 students attended last year’s Wellness Expo. Photos by Kalman Zabarsky
Whether you’re stressed, sore, or just plain exhausted, chances are there will be something at today’s Wellness Expo to help you feel better. Sponsored by Student Health Services (SHS), the annual event offers free acupuncture treatment and massages, demonstrations, and professional advice on ways to feel better mentally and physically.
The expo features 49 vendors—20 from BU—providing information on issues from diabetes, stress, and sleep deprivation to alcohol use, smoking, and hygiene. There will even be a shoe specialist on hand to observe students’ walking patterns and recommend the best sneakers for your feet.
“I think that with everyone being so busy, the ability to access information about primary prevention and health might be difficult,” says SHS wellness coordinator Michelle George, the Wellness Expo’s main organizer. “We put things out there, like reiki and acupuncture, that many students may not have heard of, or if they have, haven’t gotten a chance to experience.”
Vendors include New England Natural Bakers, whose reps will discuss healthy eating habits and provide free granola samples, Elizabeth Grady Company, whose six professional massage therapists will be available to relieve your tense muscles, and Eastern Sun Acupuncture.
Among the BU vendors are Student Health Services, Behavioral Medicine, the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Sargent Choice Nutrition Center, and the Educational Resource Center. Officers from the BU Police Department will man a table to teach self-defense techniques.
Every vendor has an interactive activity planned. Any student who completes activities at 10 different booths is eligible to enter a raffle for some 200 prizes, including a $50 Target gift card, designer glasses, and a Wii Fit.
In the weeks leading up to the Expo, Student Health Services has been tracking how many times people have retweeted posts by @BUStudentHealth about the event. The person who has retweeted the most will win a brand-new bike from Landry’s Bicycles, courtesy of Judicial Affairs.
All students attending the Expo will receive a free giveaway bag filled with stress poppers, tissues, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, condoms, notepads, and more.
Today’s Expo is being coordinated by the SHS Wellness and Prevention Services, with assistance from the Office of Residence Life. Donna Rogalski, assistant director of residence life for West Campus, says, “I think it’s important for students and staff to witness firsthand the opportunities within BU and the surrounding community that they can take advantage of to improve or maintain their health. It runs the gamut of what health may mean to many people. It’s worth checking out.”
The Wellness Expo is today, March 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the GSU’s Metcalf Ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave. More information is available online.
Andreia DeVries can be reached at adevries@bu.edu.
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