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      Feb. 9  Wellness  Day information now available online

      Credit: Penn State / Penn State. Creative Commons

      UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Information about the first of three spring 2021 Wellness Days, noninstructional days when wellness programming will be offered to students, faculty and staff, is now available at wellnessdays.psu.edu. Programming on Feb. 9 will focus on financial and occupational wellness and include live virtual events, recorded content and self-paced options.

      Wellness Days are intended to support the mental health and well-being of students, faculty and staff in place of the traditional weeklong spring break, which was eliminated from the spring 2021 academic calendar to reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus through travel.

      The focus on financial and occupational wellness for the Feb. 9 Wellness Day reflects stress many are feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Dan Murphy, programming committee co-lead and director for Student Orientation and Transition Programs.

      “You can’t take in any news these days without a discussion of stimulus, the economy, jobs and the recession,” Murphy said. “Financial health is a source of great stress for so many. We wanted the take this opportunity to highlight resources, programs and services that can help us enhance our economic and professional lives to flourish.”

      In addition to social and emotional wellness, which is at the core of all programming, wellness programs offered on Feb. 9 will introduce participants to financial literacy, career and professional development resources across the University. Programs will include offerings such as:

      • “The Dreaded Search: Top 10 Tips and an Action Plan” — Students can learn how to take a series of small steps to obtain their dream job or internship. Program will include the three biggest mistakes and top 10 tips for success. Sponsored by Penn State Career Services.

      • “Obtaining Work/Life Balance” — Many professionals spend too much time and energy on their job and not enough on themselves, friends and family. Participants can learn about pitfalls and success strategies for a healthy work-life balance. Sponsored by Penn State Career Services.

      • “MoneyCounts: A Financial Literacy Series — Credit Cards” — Participants can learn how to manage credit cards wisely so they can achieve financial security. Sponsored by the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center.

      Because the Feb. 9 Wellness Day falls within the remote learning period, all programs will be offered virtually. For those looking for a screen break, there will be a menu of self-guided activities individuals can do on their own or within their COVID-19 “pod.”

      In addition to specific Wellness Days programs, Penn Staters can access a range of University resources related to wellness at wellnessdays.psu.edu. These resources will be available not only on Wellness Days but throughout the semester.

      Members of the Penn State community who would like to submit activities, events, programs and resources that support the financial and occupational wellness theme can do so by emailing wellnessdays@psu.edu. Resources, events and activities will then be posted to wellnessdays.psu.edu. 

      The additional spring 2021 Wellness Days will focus on the following themes: 

      • Thursday, March 11 — Intellectual and spiritual wellness 

      • Wednesday, April 7 — Physical and environmental wellness 

      More information about wellness days, programs and FAQs can be found at wellnessdays.psu.edu. The site will continue to be updated as program plans are finalized.

      For the latest news and information about Penn State’s COVID-19 response, visit virusinfo.psu.edu.

      Last Updated February 4, 2021

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