A week dedicated to healthy new perspectives
By Faith Foushee// Staff Writer
Love Your Body Week took place Feb. 24 through March 1 at High Point University. This special event first took place on HPU’s campus last year and consisted of a one-day celebration. This year was celebrated for an entire week. Many groups supported and hosted Love Your Body Week, including the HPU dining team, HPU counseling services and HPU recreation team.
The event began on Feb. 24, when students were able to “taste the rainbow” by picking up fruit kabobs in the Cafe. Students could also pick up multi-colored bracelets.
“It is an awesome feeling spreading the word and participating in Love Your Body Week,” said Sadie Addis, a Health and Wellness intern with Harvest Table Culinary Group. “I enjoyed seeing people come to the tabling events with an open mind and leaving empowered to nourish their bodies, minds and spirits. “Having people sign pledges and covering the mirror was my absolute favorite.”
On Tuesday, students had the opportunity to leave a kind note and receive a free Kind bar. Students also were able to sign colored sheets of paper pledging love for their bodies in various ways.
Feb. 27 was National Strawberry Day, and the dining team had several sweet strawberry treats! At the Philanthropy tables in the Slane Student Center, students could use their five senses to guess what food was laid in front of them. They encouraged students to be mindful when eating, such as slowing down and enjoying your food and knowing when you’ve had enough.
The HPU counseling department held an “Express Yourself” event, where students could use their creativity to paint while having discussions about loving their bodies and mindful eating. Students filled the room with chatter and helped share their own creative ideas.
“This event allows people to get together and express themselves in an artistic way and talk about loving your body,” said Tiffany Longjohn, the HPU counselor who led the discussions about loving your body. It goes in line with what has been going on this week learning about mindful eating and how to take care of yourself in a holistic way.”
“After a rough week of classes and a bunch of stressors, it was nice to come to the Express Yourself Painting event and just be able to splatter paint and do what I wanted to on my own canvas,” said student Camryn Holihan.
“Love Your Body Week” came to an end on Friday with a day dedicated to loving your body and moving your body. The HPU recreation team had several workout classes throughout the day to celebrate. The day started at 8 a.m. with the Yoga for Yogurt session. Kelsey Quinn, a junior at HPU, attended this yogurt themed workout class.
“It was super relaxing and a great way to start the day,” said Quinn. “Everyone that went was really positive and truly displayed self-love.”
Love Your Body Week encouraged students to love who they are and strive to improve their health in a variety of ways.
As a reminder, Addis mentions, “You don’t need a mirror to show you how beautiful you are, you are beautiful in every way.”
Students were offered tips and positve reinforcement.
Photo by Faith Foushee