Now that winter term is in full swing and the snow has finally fallen, students are likely to struggle with seasonal depression. It’s normal to feel unmotivated when the clouds cover the sun and the weather makes it a hassle to go out. You are never alone in those feelings and there are plenty of excellent resources on campus to help you prioritize your well-being.
One of the best free resources to help you destress on campus is the Duck Nest. The Duck Nest is known for being a wellness center devoted to helping students on their journey with self care and balancing the difficulties of college life. Conveniently located on the ground floor in the back of the EMU, The Duck Nest is far enough from the chaos to provide a quiet sanctuary for you to unwind. It’s also led by Peer Wellness Facilitators, who are students that can connect you to other resources on campus as needed.
Designed to calm your nervous system, The Duck Nest is decorated with fairy lights, laced with scents of eucalyptus, and filled with bean bag chairs for you to get comfy. With so many cute mugs to choose from, it’ll be hard to resist the urge to make a cup of tea and start a puzzle. Everything you need to recharge is at your fingertips the second you walk in the door. They even have a nap room if you need to get in a quick snooze before your next class.
Not only does The Duck Nest give you the space to connect with yourself, but it gives you the opportunity to connect with others through workshops, classes, and daily activities. A huge part of The Duck Nest is creating a calming space with a sense of community on campus where everyone is welcome. As long as you have your student ID, you can come visit anytime Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The Duck Nest offers one-on-one sessions with Peer Wellness Facilitators, who are qualified students who can relate to the struggles of college, providing peer-to-peer support. These students promote self balance through mental, physical, and sexual well-being programing. The Duck Nest even offers food security resources, safer sex supplies, financial aid information, and educational presentations.
There are plenty of resources around campus to help you get out of your seasonal depression, so don’t give up on getting out of a rut. Find a new happy place and reconnect with yourself in the Duck Nest. Put the time aside to prioritize your wellbeing amidst all the college stress. The Nest will be waiting for you whenever you’re ready. To hear about upcoming events and join the community, follow @uo_ducknest on Instagram.
