Exercise is crucial to a person’s physical and mental well-being, and experts recommend everyone includes exercise of some sort as part of their daily schedule. Luckily for Auburn students, the university features numerous ways for students to stay active and get the exercise their bodies need. The Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center is open daily and offers a great place for students to participate in various types of exercise, from swimming and yoga to lifting weights, outdoor activities, cardio and group fitness classes that meet social distancing guidelines.
Organized by Campus Recreation, the 240,000-square-foot “Rec” also maintains a “Be Well” blog to help students stay active and up to speed on activities taking place in and around Auburn.
How we fuel our bodies is an important aspect of a person’s overall health, and practicing good eating habits can help keep everyone strong and nourished during these challenging times. Roughly 90 percent of Auburn’s normal campus dining options are open, and the Foy Hall dining area has implemented a number of safety precautions—including food lockers to facilitate contactless food exchange—in order to adhere to CDC guidelines and keep students well-fed and safe. Thanks to Auburn University Tiger Dining, there are plenty of high-quality food offerings and locations where students can get the fuel they need to excel and do so in a safe way.
Getting a good night’s sleep is the best way to recharge and make sure we are ready for the next day. Experts suggest eight hours of sleep each night, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule—especially for college students learning how to master time management—is paramount for staying both mentally and physically fit. Lack of sleep can lead to illness and magnify stress, so adhering to a consistent sleep regimen can do wonders for a person’s overall health.
Not only are we fighting the rigors of a global pandemic, but Americans live attached to smartphones in an extremely fast-paced society that can be demanding and daunting. Therefore, it’s important to take time to decompress—each day or on a regular basis—and recalibrate. Studies have shown meditation has both mental and physical benefits to those who practice it with consistency. Students can benefit from meditation in several ways, and there are plenty of expert tips for ways to do so in an effective manner. Auburn students—two at a time while wearing masks—also may utilize the meditation and reflection room on the fourth floor of Ralph Brown Draughon Library during their busy day.
It has been said that art “enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,” and Auburn students who want to experience the power of art are lucky enough to have the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University just around the corner. The one-of-a-kind facility reopened on Aug. 11 to reduced capacity and offers an escape for those who enjoy art of all kinds.
The Auburn University Department of Theatre has adapted and amended its production plans due to the pandemic, offering theatre fans an alternative to enjoy the majesty of the art form. Via AU Theatre @ Home, the department will provide audiences with the opportunity to view the fall shows this season from the safety and comfort of their own home through recorded digital productions.
They don’t call Auburn “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” for nothing, and there are numerous ways for students to get outside and enjoy its beauty while getting exercise at the same time. Whether it’s a leisurely social-distanced walk around campus, a trip to the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center off North College Street, the Donald E. Davis Arboretum off South College Street or a trek to Chewacla State Park, Auburn features a treasure trove of options for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. With fall around the corner, it’s a great time to be out and about around campus, and Campus Recreation’s Auburn Outdoors adventure-based education program also offers a host of other fun options as well.
For a society forever attached to its phones and devices, we don’t always communicate as effectively or often as we should with friends and loved ones. Staying connected to family members who live outside Auburn, as well as with friends both on campus and afar, is important for one’s mental well-being. Whether it’s reconnecting, returning a long-awaited call or reaching out to someone you haven’t heard from in eons, staying active in others’ lives can be good for the soul.
Alcohol is a depressant that can amplify problems and lead a person to dark places. Reducing and limiting alcoholic intake is widely considered by mental health professionals as a positive practice for everyone, especially those who are experiencing stress. Auburn’s Student Counseling & Psychological Services, as well as Health Promotion and Wellness Services, and can offer help to students who may need assistance fighting a substance abuse problem, and there is always a member of the Auburn Family available and ready to listen.
Getting involved with a student organization is a great way to connect with others, learn new skills and have fun! With more than 550 student organizations, Student Involvement makes it easy to find a social outlet and discover organizations that meet your interests. Browse all student organizations or find free upcoming events on AUinvolve. Look for a variety of events, in both in-person and virtual formats, happening throughout the semester including free movies, open mic nights, painting workshops, leadership lunches and more. Give back to the community through virtual service opportunities, and be sure to follow @auinvolve on social media for more ways to connect.
