Bloom, an initiative by the Office of Student Life aimed at enhancing well-being amongst SUSS students, returned for its second edition in September as a week-long event. From 11 to 15 September, over 245 students participated in the complimentary curated workshops and informative talks. The diverse range of experiences and activities offered focused on promoting physical well-being and supporting students on their wellness journey.
Globally acclaimed author and speaker, Andrew Matthews sharing insights from his latest book, Bouncing Back!
Participants energised by their Inside Flow Yoga experience
Beyond the workshops, this year's event also featured a Wellness Bazaar organised in collaboration with the Human Resource (HR) department. Apart from engaging in light retail therapy through the various vendors' various wellness-related products and healthy snacks, staff and students could enjoy a complimentary cup of Yolé and a packet of granola during their lunchtime break!
The ladies behind the Bloom 2023 & UWellness Bazaar – (from left) Si Yao (Human Resources) and Carol (Student Success Centre, Office of Student Life)
Happy SUSS staff with their free mid-week treat
Carol Khong, Specialist & Lead for Student Wellness, emphasised the significance of such campus wellness programmes, "Well-being is key for students to achieve success and thrive in life. Equipping our students with the necessary tools for them to take charge of their well-being is essential. A person's well-being is in full bloom when they are happy, healthy, and content in their life. In the garden of life, nurturing one's well-being is like tending to the most exquisite flower.”
From relaxing activities like yoga and sound baths to learning practical ways to get better sleep, manage stress and reframe their thinking, 85% of Bloom 2023 participants reported feeling better equipped to improve their mental and physical health after attending a workshop under the Bloom series.
Learning how to manage stress and embrace happiness
Intrigued by the healing power of sound vibrations, Sindhu Marie, a student from SUSS' Full-time Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree programme, attended her first sound bath meditation – and is now eager for more. For her, it was a timely opportunity to destress amid the busyness of juggling both work and study. “The past two weeks have been rather stressful, so being able to lie down and immerse myself in this calming experience helped to revitalise my mind and body. Learning that voice vibrations have an impact on our mental and emotional states was eye-opening. I can see myself integrating the breathing and grounding exercises shared during the workshop into my daily routine to reduce my stress levels.”
Lin Shu Mei, Master of Counselling student, who participated in the Treasures From Within: Finding My Strengths Through Art-Making workshop was glad that she invested the time to nurture her well-being through engaging in art-making. “Arts was a very big part of my childhood, so I’m grateful for the chance to unleash my creative side during this session. Allowing myself this time to rest left me feeling renewed and ready to tackle the rest of my TMAs.”
Participant’s end product from the art therapy workshop
Find out more about the programmes held during Bloom 2023 by visiting the webpage
here.