It’s time to sit back and relax, folks.

Last semester, the College of Health and Human Development and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center launched “Flourish Penn State,” located on the main floor of the HUB in room 102.

Inside the room, you’ll find a wide variety of stress-reducing activities like water painting with Buddha boards, sand zen gardens, light therapy boxes, and more.

Light therapy boxes mimic outdoor light, causing a chemical change in the brain that helps lift your mood.

Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Linda LaSalle believes access to the room gives students “a relaxing and regenerative space,” allowing them to connect the mind and body.

“Flourish Penn State was designed to create and develop new programming and other initiatives to be primary prevention support for student mental health and well-being,” LaSalle said. “The space is designed to be a quiet study environment but also a space where students can learn about contemplative sciences and practices, meditation, and mindfulness.”

“We wanted to have a space in the student union that was very visible and easily accessible to all Penn State students,” LaSalle said. “All of our activities and services are designed to give the individual the ability to focus and connect the sensations both physically and mentally.”

In addition to offering a designated quiet spot and relaxing activities, Flourish Penn State also provides one-on-one wellness services relating to specific topics like sleep, stress, healthy eating, and relationships, with peer educators specialized in each field.

Starting this semester, Flourish Penn State will offer “mind, body, connection” sessions, which allow students to increase self-compassion and cure stress. Counseling and Psychological Services will also extend its free counseling session called “CAPS Chat” to every Friday afternoon in the center in addition to UHS.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the space or to schedule a one-on-one session, visit the Prevention Research Center’s website here.