Student Affairs and GPSA hold Winter Blues Buster Event

PULLMAN – Student Affairs and the Graduate and Professional Student Association hosted the two-day “Winter Blues Buster” event to try and help combat seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

The event took place over the course of two days, one night being held at the Student Recreation Center, and the other at the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center.

The SRC used their night to focus on activities having to do with exercise and being active. The pool had floating lawn games, there was an open climbing wall session, fitness classes, basketball, dodgeball, and the lounge even had a space where students could paint while eating healthy foods and “mocktails”.

“We’re here to promote mental health and being healthy and active,” said Peer Health Educator Kenzi Delmas. “66% of students reported drinking alcohol at [Washington State University] so we are trying to offer alternatives for people who don’t want to do that.”

The turnout was pretty large, finding a parking spot even took longer than normal, and students had a positive reaction to the event.

“I’m a summer girl,” laughed WSU student Kylee Price. “[I’m] new to pullman, and the snow…so it was good. It was very fun.”

The second night at Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center focused more on your mind, and what to do to help control your mood through your mental state.

“We’re looking at foods, physical activity, building connection, mindfulness practice, and things like that” said coordinator Jason Abrams. “I think it’s also helping to nurture within the WSU students a sense of being able to own their own wellness and health by giving them the tools they need and the education they need to do that.”

Abrams said they are happy with the turnout and outcome of this year’s event, and are already looking toward potentially making it an annual event.