Making wellness a part of everyday life: Health and Wellness Fair and Expo
Event returns October 13-15
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Full of workshops, activities, and resources to encourage healthier habits, the Annual Health and Wellness Fair and Expo returns to Governors State University (GovState) October 13 – 15, touching on stress management, prevention, and wellness.
The three-day event, formerly called Wellness Week, has expanded to become a collaboration between the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) and the Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) at GovState.
Event organizer and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Dr. Frank Czuba hopes the partnership will open even more people to the benefits of health promotion.
“Health promotion is the process of enabling us to increase control over and improve our health,” said Dr. Czuba. “To reach a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, we must be able to identify and realize aspirations, satisfy our needs, and change or cope with our environment.”
Open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members, each day runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with various sessions featuring different areas of wellness including de-stress activities, massages, and stretching.
Hoping the event inspires people to be mindful of their health, collaborator and Director of GovState’s CWC, Dr. Kim Major-Ford emphasizes the importance of wellness when it comes to daily activities.
“Health and wellness are foundational to our ability to learn, work, build meaningful connections, and live fulfilling lives,” said Dr. Major-Ford. “The Annual Health and Wellness Fair and Expo is about bringing our campus and community together around a shared commitment to well-being.”
While there are different brief sessions throughout the three days, October 15 features a few daylong sessions, such as an expo with tables and vendors in the Hall of Governors. There will also be a vaccinations clinic, kidney clinic, and a health screening event in Engbretson Hall, and HIV testing in the Hall of Honors.
“Through collaboration with campus partners, community organizations, and vendors, we are creating opportunities for people to connect with practical resources that support their mental, emotional, and physical health,” said Dr. Major-Ford. “Our hope is that everyone leaves feeling informed, connected, and empowered to make wellness a meaningful part of their everyday lives.”
For more information on event sessions as they become available, click here.
Questions? Contact Dr. Frank Czuba at fczuba@govst.edu.