Latest news with #DeStresstival
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
University of Warwick celebrates 'Destresstival' success
Pickleball and pet therapy have proven to be a hit after more than 2,300 university students took part in a festival designed to help them unwind during a stressful part of the academic year. The events were part of four-week programme, DeStresstival, hosted at the University of Warwick where students were invited to try a range of free wellbeing activities including climbing, creative workshops and mindfulness said the events helped them to "feel more supported, relaxed, and energised" throughout the exam month-long initiative built on a two-week pilot that the university delivered last year. A spokesperson for the university said the festival's participation had increased by 54% since last year and highlighted "a strong demand for student-led wellbeing activities".They added that a highlight for many students was a campus petting zoo, where they enjoyed the "calming benefits" of animal Thomas, head of student community experience, said the exam period could be "isolating" and events like DeStresstival helped to "bring people together, take a break, and get active". The spokesperson added the festival's climbing activities had been praised by students for helping them to "step outside their comfort zones" and "feel energised" ahead of their exams. A postgraduate student added that DeStrestival had enabled them to explore new activities: "It was great fun, I connected with other students and loved the chance to create. "It was incredibly relaxing."Georgie Pilling from the university said the festival had created a space for students to pause and take care of their wellbeing during what could be an "overwhelming time". Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Warwick university holds 'DeStresstival' to help exam students
A university is hosting a unique festival in a bid to help students unwind during one of the most demanding points in the academic year. DeStresstival is a free wellbeing programme designed to support good mental health at the University of Warwick and includes events such as pet therapy, mindfulness sessions, creative workshops and Muqri had been studying for his exams and said: "When you're stressed, you tend to socialise less. You come here, see your friends and do some group activities, so it's like a motivation".The initiative began on 12 May, during Mental Health Awareness Week, and will run until June 8. 'Holistic wellbeing' The activities include pickleball, which is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and a sound bath workshop, offering an immersive relaxation experience using sound frequencies to promote calm and can also join creative sessions such as rock painting, as well as heading to the petting zoo where they can meet friendly animals including goats, alpacas and guinea pigs in a calm, outdoor setting to help relieve stress and lift their mood. Event organiser Khushi Ganatra said the festival, which was in its second year, started after people were concerned students were spending too long in their rooms and in the library. "I think it's really important to take breaks and make sure your mind is as clear as it can be as part of your holistic wellbeing."If students are struggling with stress and exams, it's really important to tackle that from the root of the issue, and by holding these kinds of events, they can feel more supported and able to take care of themselves," Ms Ganatra said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
