Walking group tells stress to ‘take a hike!’

One thing that students, teachers and faculty deal with every semester is stress, and the GC&SU Counseling Office wants to help.

This semester there will be a series of stress relief sessions held in Lanier Hall 211 starting Jan. 24.

A walking group was also started this semester to combat stress. The group was started by psychologist Dr. Amy Harrington and Director of Counseling Services Mary Jane Phillips.

Phillips said having companionship while walking is important.

“Social support helps people stick with an exercise program as well as gaining social support while they walk,” Phillips said. “A regular opportunity for students, faculty and staff to participate is the best approach to stress management.”

According to Phillips, research shows that walking helps people manage stress. She sees a large number of students every semester and she talks to them about exercising. She also said the walking group gives students, faculty and staff an opportunity to achieve better health.

The group meets at Bartram Forest, located off Highway 441 South, three times a week.

Libby Davis, international student advisor, has participated in some of the walks.

“One of my New Year’s resolutions was to become healthier and I really like the outdoors,” Davis said.

So far, the group has had between six and 10 walkers each week, but no students have attended.

Senior Sarah Bloomfield, a music therapy major, said she thinks the walking group is a good idea.

“The accountability of other people can help you meet your goals,” said Bloomfield. “Maybe students and faculty who want to do something healthy will find that the walking group suits their needs.”

The group meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:15 p.m. and walks for approximately 45 minutes. The group will use the Centennial Center as a bad weather back-up. Participation is free and no sign-up is necessary.

Phillips said that a few people have shown interest in wanting to start a second walking group, which would meet around 12 p.m.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 3 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry