Wellness Tip
Stephens, C. (2020). TheCounselingTeacher.com.
- How to Relieve Anxiety During Times of UncertaintyTips to cope with anxiety include letting go of what one cannot control and focusing on what is in one's control.
Check Out Good News in the World and Our Local Community
- SomeGoodNewsSome Good News is a webseries started by actor John Krasinski to celebrate good news happening in the world and virtually mark major milestones during the COVID-19 crisis.
Philadelphia
- 50 Actually Good Things That Have Happened in Philly During the Coronavirus CrisisRead through some good news stories that have come out of this crisis from around Philadelphia.
- Queer Eye Comes to Philadelphia!The most recent season of this popular Netflix show is filmed in Philadelphia.
And explore more Good News in the Animal Kingdom
Virtual Activities
- Metropolitan Opera House - Free Student StreamThe Metropolitan Opera is offering free events and streams of past opera productions.
- Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours!Here's a massive list of museums, zoos, and theme parks you can "visit" virtually.
- National Park ServiceThe National Park Service has online tours of their parks and a wealth of other resources.
Zoo Webcams
A couple zoos and aquariums have webcams to allow virtual visitors to look in on their animals:
- Denver Zoo - Baby Rhino Cam
- Edinburgh Zoo - Koala Cam
- Georgia Aquarium - African Penguin Cam
COVID-19 Pandemic Self-Care Resources
The Penn Vet Wellness Task Force, Culture Committees, Student Wellness Committee, and HOOF (Helping Others On the Frontlines) Committee have compiled resources to help you stay connected and well during this time of social isolation and stress. These resources can help you practice self-care and stay mentally well. We can all practice self-care but if you feel you need more help during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Page Buck, the counselor at New Bolton Center, or CAPS. Dr. Buck remains available remotely and has sent the message below. Please also see more contact information on the Penn Vet Wellness Resources page.
Self-Care Resources
- Pandemic self-care for veterinary teamsAAHA provides tips for maintaining self-care for veterinarians during a pandemic.
- How to take care of yourself during the stress of COVID-19 | VETgirlVETgirl Veterinary CE Blog offers some life hacks and tips to stay mentally well during this crisis.
- Creating a Culture of Well-being During a CrisisVeterinarian Jeff Thoren shares strategies to create and foster a culture of well-being in times of crisis.
- How to Stay Optimistic When Everything Seems WrongFrom the New York Times: "Optimism isn’t about ignoring negative feelings. It’s about being hopeful about the future, even when the present seems wholly negative."
- Inflammation of the Heart | Dr. Curt ThompsonDr. Curt Thompson, MD, calls us to acknowledge the grief caused by the coronavirus pandemic - comparing this grief to the body's inflammatory response after an injury.
Wellness Ideas
- Audible Stories - free audiobooksTake a break and listen to old favorites and classics - Audible is offering free audiobooks to stream from their children's, tween, and teen collections.
Healthy Eating and Cooking
- Healthy Eating RecipesThis could be a great time to try eating healthier!
- DIY Pasta with Pasta Grannies!Have more time to cook? Why not try making your own pasta? Check out the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel to watch nonnas from all across Italy prepare their favorite recipes!
- Gourmet Makes - Making Comfort Foods at HomeIn this series from Bon Appetit, Claire Saffitz attempts to recreate our favorite junk and comfort foods, such as gushers and twinkies, in the BA Test kitchen. Chef Saffitz will begin taking the necessary steps to turn your childhood snacks into culinary masterpieces.
Take a Free Course or Learn a New Skill
- CourseraCoursera is also offering free classes on happiness and positive psychology.
- Online Classes by SkillshareThis may be a time to learn a new skill - this link has access to thousands of classes in multiple art specialties. Free access for 2 months after registration.
- Penn Cobalt - Resilience CoursePenn Cobalt has resources for coping during the pandemic including interactive sessions and the online Coursera "Resilience" course with Penn's Positive Psychology Center's Dr. Karen Reivich. All are offered free of charge during the COVID pandemic. This online course starts soon so sign up ASAP to learn more about Resilience: the ability to recover from adversity and grow in the face of challenge.
For more opportunities to engage in learning and professional development during this pandemic time, check out the Penn Vet Professional Development LibGuide
CAPS is Here for You!
- Penn Campus Virtual ResourcesCAPS has compiled a list of campus offices offering virtual support during the COVID-19 crisis.
Penn Vet Student Wellness Newsletter
Missing Locust Walk? Check Out The Locust Scroll (Virtual Newsletter)
Please enjoy these issues of The Locust Scroll where we explore ways to connect and find hope during challenging times. Please also subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated on opportunities to engage with the Penn community this summer. We hope you are Thriving @ #PennAtHome! -
Natasha Menon, President, Undergraduate Assembly
Dr. Greg Callaghan, President, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly
Dr. Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, Provost’s Distinguished Senior Fellow, Graduate School of Education; Vice Provost for Student Engagement
Be Active
Campus Recreation instructors are posting videos of at-home workouts on Instagram and Twitter (@PennCampusRec) in a series called “Quarantine Chronicles,” using #QuakerEveryDay to showcase the various methods the University community is using to practice physical wellness.
- Campus Recreation Offering At-Home Physical FitnessCheck out resources from Campus Recreation for staying active at home!
- Campus Recreation Remote Resources HubCampus Recreation has developed linktr.ee/penncampusrec as a remote resource hub to help students, faculty and staff stay connected to their favorite Philadelphia area studios and University alumni.
- Campus Recreation Virtual Group Exercise SchedulePenn Campus Recreation is holding virtual group exercises open to all. The weekly schedule is linked here with times and Zoom/Instagram instructions to join.