Stress is the main issue students struggle with on a daily basis, as they often forget to take a moment to focus on themselves. Managing school, work, extracurricular activities and much more can get overwhelming; it’d be nice to have a welcoming environment to unwind and keep proactivity going throughout the day.
The Womxn’s Resource Center at Cal Poly Pomona can be the place for just that. Every Tuesday, the center is home to Self-Care Happy Hour located at building 95-201 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Self-Care Happy Hour began its tradition in fall 2018 and has been a success in each session since then.
What first began as every Wednesday is now on Tuesdays because students’ availability is more flexible for them to stop by.
Sydney Torres, coordinator of the center, came with the creation of this event by reading student surveys reflecting what they struggle with most.
“In 2017, over a third of students mentioned stress to be their main conflict,” Torres said.
She was motivated to create an escape for students to help them feel driven to finish their day strong.
Each activity goes back to the wellness wheel diagram Torres reflects upon.
The wheel represents seven dimensions: emotional, intellectual, physical, social, environmental, financial and spiritual. Each one helps balance a lifestyle to stay aligned.
“All crafts are centered to work on one of the characteristics of the wheel,” Torres said. “They are simple and easy to do at home to continue your own self-care routine.”
Social justice leader Summer Veits is a history major at CPP and coordinator of the happy hour.
She helps set up an activity each week for students to come by and forget about the problems outside on campus.
“Self-care is important and not everyone has time at home,” Veits said. “Having the center open with workshops lets students have time to come when they can and not disturb their own schedule.”
Self-care has multiple definitions for every individual.
The center’s main goal is to help each student clear her mind and do activities like crafts and journaling; all to help them feel good about themselves one week at a time.
Cristina Orozco, a fourth-year gender, ethnicity and multicultural studies major, mentions how much she appreciates the center’s services offered on campus.
“I feel really proud (that) the women’s center (is) constantly providing resources on a weekly basis,” Orozco said. “I feel they are another support on campus and continue to reach a larger audience by each promotion on social media.”
All materials are provided in each session until supplies last.
The center wants to show students that everyone can afford self-care without financial limits.
Encouragement will help the center continue making happy hour a Womxn’s Resource Center tradition for semesters to come.
Follow the center on Instagram @cppwrc to keep up with the activities planned for each Tuesday.
