Event

Surf your Stress Week '24

Save the Date! The Surf your Stress Week 2024 is from 25 to 29 November this year. We are working on an inspiring programme full of interactive lectures, workshops, relaxation, sporty, creative & fun activities.

Organised by	Surf your Stress
Date	Mon 25 November 2024 until Fri 29 November 2024
Venue	Wageningen Campus
Price	Free

As autumn leaves fall, it's time for the annual Surf Your Stress Week.
Join us for a week devoted to tackling stress in University Life. Let's talk about it, learn together, and equip ourselves with practical tools to cope with our stress.

We are working on an inspiring programme for 2024. Look at our 2023 programme below for a glimpse of what's to come. Click on the titles for more information. And if you can't wait, why not take a mindful stroll on campus or go to the programme of Student Training & Support?

Art on Campus - Discover sculptures on the campus grounds - Art Quest
Walking Meditation - Go outside, breathe fresh air, and bring your body and mind in sync with exercises from outdoor life coach Yvonne Haenen.

Monday, 6 November '23

07:30 - 10:00h Breakfast Rave

Breakfast Rave - Photo Matty Adame - Unsplash

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 07:30 - 10:00
Where	KSV Fransiscus
By	MiniCulture

Start your day - and the Surf your Stress week - by enjoying a delicious FREE breakfast and dance to the beat! Get energized for the day to come. Team up with your friends, or housemates and enjoy the LIVE DJ-set from MiniCulture.

KSV Fransicus Xaverius opens their doors for Surf your Stress and all WUR Students at Stadsbrink 373 this morning.

12:15 - 13:45h Climate Anxiety, how to cope

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 12:15 - 13:45
Where	Orion-B4030
By	Roeland Cloin - Student Psychologist

You have enrolled at Wageningen University to become an expert on climate, biodiversity, ecosystem health etc. Passionate to make a difference, your increasing knowledge may also lead to a growing concern about the future of our planet. You know what steps need to be taken, but at the same time the scale of the challenge is overwhelming.

Take action within your reach - Student psychologist Roeland Cloin will explain the Circle of Influence - things we can control or change - and the Circle of Concern - things we worry about but can't control - (Steven Covey). This workshop will empower you to shift focus from anxiety to taking actionable steps within your reach. Together we will put the model into practice and we will discuss our experiences and insights.

What will you learn?

Gain clarity on actions you can take in your daily life.
Empower Yourself: Develop the skills to influence positive change within your community.
Build Resilience: Learn how to cope with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

FULL! - 12:30 - 13:30h Squeeze your Stress Away (Free Lunch!) - FULL!

Hand squeezing yellow stress bal with happy smiley face

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 12:30 - 13:30h
Where	Forum - B0413
By	JV Unitas Wageningen

Craft your own free stressball between your morning and afternoon classes! It's simple, and friendly helpers are available to guide you through the process. An enjoyable DIY break to unwind and have fun. D.I.Y. Stressball Workshop + free lunch

FULL! - 16:30 - 18:00h Help, I graduated! What’s Next? - FULL!

Elisabeth Oenema - Career Coach - Student Career Center

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 16:30-18:00
Where	Forum-B0408
By	Elizabeth Oenema - Career Coach - Student Career Center

You're almost there – graduation is just around the corner! Congratulations!
But what's next? Finding a job can be smooth sailing for some and a bit of a challenge for others.

In this workshop, we'll tackle those nervous thoughts that might be bothering some of you as you embark on your job hunt. You'll learn how to embrace your anxiety and pick up some handy tips to kickstart your job search with more confidence and ease.

FULL! - 16:00 - 17:00h Express Yourself through Poetry - FULL!

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 16:00-17:00h
Where	Forum-B0451 (Library)
By	Kristina Smieskova - The Green Office
	The Green Office stimulates sustainability at Wageningen University & Research. We work towards a more sustainable mindset and practice from the inside, by involving students and employees in sustainability.

Let’s explore the concept of our Inner Sustainability.

While many of us are deeply engaged in the study and pursuit of various sustainability topics, we may sometimes overlook our own well-being in the process. Recognisable?

What is Inner Sustainability? -

Well, that’s exactly what we want to discuss in this workshop. We warmly invite everyone to join us in sharing their thoughts through the medium of words. In a creative and supportive space, you’ll have the freedom to either share pre-written poems with fellow participants or take part in a guided poetry-writing workshop to craft your own.

Kristina from the Green Office Wageningen will share her enthusiastic and creative guidance for your poetry writing journey. If you prefer to simply come and listen, that’s perfectly fine too. Everyone is invited to contribute, write, listen, and find inspiration together. Your presence is warmly encouraged. Come, share, write, listen, and let inspiration flow.

20:00 - 22:00h Storytelling Night – Now and Then

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For	Students & PhD
When	Monday 6 November - 20:00-22:00h
Where	H41 Wageningen, Herenstraat 41
By	Emma Holmes - Wageningen Comedy Club

Join us for Now & Then a storytelling night spanning the ages as storytellers from around the globe revisit their past to understand their present, all while sharing true stories from their lives and a few laughs along the way.

MC Emma Holmes and five incredible storytellers will regale you with tales about the best and worst of times as we delve into the murky yet amusing underworld of everything that makes us human.

Tuesday, 7 November '23

FULL! - 08:30 - 09:30h Yoga - FULL!

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For	Students & PhD
When	Tuesday 7 November - 08:30-09:30
Where	SC de Bongerd -Sports Hall 1 (No sports rights needed)
By	Yoga instructor SC de Bongerd

10:15 - 11:00h Mindfulness Meditation

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For	Students & PhD
When	Tuesday 7 November - 10:15 - 11:00h
Where	Forum-V0031
By	Spectrum Wageningen

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

12:30 - 13:30h Stop Wasting Time – Start Planning

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For	Students & PhD
When	Tuesday 7 November - 12:30-13:30h
Where	Forum- V0031/V0034
By	Michel Kropman - WUR Skills Trainer

Your study schedule is brutal; so much to do, so little time. And then you have your club nights, house dinners, sports clubs, social life and so on. That’s bound to stress you out, doesn’t it?

One of the causes of stress, is not knowing exactly what you need to do and how you can accomplish all your tasks in time. If you’re not a naturally organised person, this can lead to confusion, overwhelm and missed deadlines.

Take control of your life - This workshop offers hands-on guidelines to those of you who do not tend to be so well-structured yet. Together we will work on becoming (a bit) more organised step by step. It takes some time investment, but it will pay off many more hours than you put into it. And even better: it will put you in the driver’s seat of your life, making your life a lot easier 😃.

16:30 - 18:00h How to Embrace your –not-so-controllable- Life

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For	Students & PhD
When	Tuesday 7 November - 16:30-18:00
Where	Aurora - B9259
By	Jan Wolter Bijleveld
	Jan Wolter Bijleveld is a writer, trainer and podcastmaker. He teaches at The School of Life in Amsterdam. His most recent book is (in Dutch only) ‘Wat had je dan verwacht?’ (Then what did you expect?’). You can also listen to his podcast Afslag X (in Dutch)

Life is simple! Just do the right things, have the right mindset, make the right choices and happiness and success will come your way. - Or -* Take these FIVE steps to live a balanced life. * Discover TEN tips to a stress-free life.The choice is yours. But..., does it really work that way?

Know when to let go - In this interactive workshop we take a closer look at our expectations of ourselves and of life in general. High expectations can be motivating, but they can also lead to anxiety, disappointment, peer pressure and feelings of inadequacy.

How can we develop a more relaxed perspective on life, where we still have expectations (who can live without them?), but learn to recognise when its’s time to let go? This workshop will give you insights and practical ideas on how to increase your mental resilience.

17:30 - 19:30h No WURries - Student Support Group

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For	Students & PhD - especially those with a functional limitation like AD(H)D, ASS etc
When	Tuesday 7 November - 17:30-19:30
Where	Impulse - Innovation
By	Team No WURries

Do you face obstacles in your studies or student life due to AD(H)D, ASS for example? Are you struggling to relate to your peers? Or is something else -temporary or chronic - preventing you from fully enjoying your student life? If so, please feel free to join us and share what you feel. Feel empowered by recognition and learn from the experiences of others. You are not alone! Or to speak with our participants: "Finally a place where I can meet people I don't have to explain myself to" and “A neurospicy group that doesn’t drain my social battery”.

20:00 - 21:15h Study like a Top Athlete (Free Drinks!)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Tuesday 7 November - 20:00 - 21:15
Where	Gaia-Plateau
By	Rico Schuijers
	Dr. Rico Schuijers is a sports psychologist who guides top athletes, individually or in a team. He works with several national teams and individuals in various sports, mainly focussing on the Olympics. Schuijers' style is notable for the practical examples that he can provide from his experience in guiding top athletes.

Sports psychologist Rico Schuijers reveals how to apply the strategies of Olympic champions to your study routine.

Studying at university and competing in top-level sports may seem very different on the surface, but they have a lot in common. Think about performing under pressure, dealing with setbacks, distractions and fatigue, and giving your best when it counts.

Explore the approach of top athletes - Join us for an insightful talk that explores the approach of top athletes and how their strategies can enhance your studies. Discover the motivation, concentration and self-confidence that set these sportspeople apart from the rest. Learn how to adapt their strategies your study routine. From goal setting to time management, mental toughness to resilience, this presentation will equip you with the tools you need to succeed academically.

Wednesday, 8 November '23

09:00 - 12:00h Ease your Thesis Stress (Free Tea, Coffee and Snack!)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November - 09:00 - 12:00h
Where	Forum-B0408
By	Jeanine Leenheer
	Jeanine Leenheer is a lifestyle coach, trainer and yoga teacher from Rotterdam. Her Thesis Anxiety Workshops at In Holland University of Applied Science are highly appreciated by students.

Does the mere mention of the word ‘thesis’ fill you with worry and anxiety? Are you apprehensive about taking that first step? There’s no need for it to be that way. While thesis-related stress and anxiety are common, rest assured that there are effective tools and techniques that can make your thesis-writing journey more manageable.

Reverse your negative thought patterns - This workshop combines both theory and practical solutions. We’ll discover how stress affects our physiology, how our thoughts shape our reality, and most importantly, how to reverse those negative thought patterns. Additionally, you will receive a range of practical exercises that you can apply independently to alleviate your thesis-related anxiety and stress.

10:15 - 11:00h Mindfulness Meditation

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November - 10:15 - 11:00h
Where	Forum - V0031 & V0034
By	Spectrum Wageningen

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

11:30 - 12:30h Steps Aerobics

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November - 11:30 - 12:30
Where	SC de Bongerd - Sports Hall 3 (No sports rights needed)
By	Instructor SC de Bongerd

Steps Aerobics is an intensive workout in which music and choreography play an important role. The choreography is adapted to the level of the participants. A workout contains the elements of endurance, flexibility, balance, speed and strength.

12:30 - 13:30h Why Perfectionism Doesn't Lead to Perfect Happiness (Free Coffee and Tea!)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November -12:30 - 13:30h
Where	Impulse-Speakers Corner
By	Chantal van der Leest
	Chantal van der Leest is a psychologist and author of the book “Waarom perfectionisten zelden gelukkig zijn” (Why perfectionists are rarely happy). She is an expert by experience who humorously holds up a mirror to us fellow perfectionists. Website

Perfectionism, often celebrated as a desirable –bad- trait in our society, may not always lead to the happiness we seek. Is it truly justifiable, or does it, in fact, contribute to increased insecurity and stress? Chantal van der Leest, a psychologist, author, and a former perfectionist herself, intimately understands the potential pitfalls of this mindset.

Healthy or unhealthy perfectionism? - In this engaging session, you will gain insights, infused with a touch of humor and self-deprecation, into distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism. Furthermore, you will acquire practical tools to effectively manage and navigate your own perfectionist tendencies.

15:30 - 17:30h Dear Stress, we have to stop meeting like this

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November - 15:30 - 17:30
Where	Orion, B3030
By	André Rozendaal

What's your relationship with stress like? Has it become an integral part of your life? Do you attribute it to uni, politics or other people? And, more importantly, how have you been managing your stress recently? Are you interested in uncovering its causes and learning effective ways to handle it? Join us for this engaging workshop to find out more.

Develop psychological flexibility - Stress is a hot topic, especially among students. Performance pressure, demanding study schedules, student loans, and the influence of social media are often cited as common stressors. It might seem like these factors are entirely beyond your control. But is that really the case? Could your own habits, behaviours and beliefs also be playing a role too? If so, that's actually good news; it means you have the power to make a change!

In this workshop, psychologist André Rozendaal will challenge you to dive into your personal relationship with stress. He will hand you tips and tools on how to manage your stress and how to develop more psychological flexibility.

17:00 - 19:00h Fuck-Up Night - How to celebrate failure? (Free Drinks!)

Surfer falling of his board - Celebrate Failure - John Oswald-Unsplash

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday 8 November -17:00 - 19:00
Where	Plus Ultra II - Free Drinks!
By	StartHub Wageningen

Ever been in those moments when you've poured your heart and soul into a project, only to see it unravel before your eyes? How to deal with things not going your way? In other words, HOW to celebrate failure?

Failure is a vital part of the journey - Fret not! StartHub x SurfyourStress has gathered a diverse group of speakers, from startup visionaries to esteemed teaching staff, to your fellow students, and invited them to share their stories. They will dive in on their past experiences, proving that failure is not a dead end, but a vital part of the journey, and allow you to share yours (if you dare 😉).

Join us in our celebratory event, where failure becomes a mere ripple on the path to triumph! 🏄‍♀️🌊 (and - hooray - there are free drinks to add to the celebration!).

Speakers

Jente Ottenburghs - Lecturer at the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) group and the Forest Ecology and Forest Management (FEM) group

Mariana Santos Silva - CEO & Co-founder PlantWizzard

Mariana Santos Silva is the CEO and co-founder of PlantWizzard & Knuswear.

Noor Holleman is a member of the Student Council for VeSte. She studies Communication and Life Sciences.

19:00 - 19:45h & 20:00 - 20:45h Monkey Moods of your Mind (Spinning lecture)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Wednesday, 8 November - 19:00 - 19:45 (FULL)
	& 20:00-20:45
Where	SC de Bongerd - Bike Studio - no sports rights needed
By	Anneke Valk + SWU Thymos

Work up a sweat during an indoor biking class while listening to an immersive lecture by Anneke Valk about your 'inner voice'. Do you have this little ‘voice’ inside your head? Sometimes it happily chats along (“Oh, look, a puppy!”), sometimes it relentlessly shares its opinion, whether you like it or not. That voice can get you pretty nervous. Or uncertain about yourself. In any case, it may well be a good idea to get to know that inner voice a little bit better. Curious?

Move your Body - Flex your Mind - Join this special edition of the Monkey Mind workshop, spiced with music and good vibes. How? You will be riding an indoor bike, whilst diving into this theory. The beauty of it? When you move your body, it is much easier to move your mind as well. So join in, get to know the Monkey Moods of your Mind, and discover effective strategies to reduce stress or tweak your daily habits.

Thursday, 9 November '23

FULL! - 09:00 - 10:00h Mindful Yoga - FULL!

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 09:00 - 10:00
Where	SC de Bongerd - Sports Hall 1 (No sports rights needed)
By	Yoga Instructor SC de Bongerd

In this class, mindfulness is seamlessly united with yoga. In physical exercises, movement is connected with breath, attention and relaxation. There are moments of silence and reflection and we work with great concentration. You learn to observe and accept what is happening inside you. The exercises increase the awareness of the body and related areas of tension.

Within mindful yoga, compassion is important. How do you deal with difficulties and setbacks? For example, when you can continue to smile and breathe in a difficult position, this gives confidence and relaxation in your entire system. By being soft, you become stronger.

10:15 - 11:00h Mindfulness Meditation

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 10:15 - 11:00h
Where	Forum - B0213 (!)
By	Spectrum Wageningen

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

FULL! - 12:15 - 13:45h From Thoughtful Intentions to Healthier Plates (Free Lunch!) - FULL!

Florine Kremer - Researcher at Wageningen Economic Research

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 12:15-13:45h
Where	Forum - B0508
By	Florine Kremer (Lecture) - SV Apollo & Nicolas Appert (activity)
	Florine is a researcher at Wageningen Economic Research, specializing in consumer behaviour related to alternative protein consumption. Her work delves into the space between what people intend to eat and what they actually choose for healthy and sustainable food.

This event starts with an informative lecture by Florine Kremer. We all know it; the intention-behaviour (or think-do) gap. You want to eat healthier, drink less (alcohol, not water) excersise more and you know very well how to do it. But why is it so hard to put our good intentions to practice? And what is the influence of stress on the food choices we make?

After a short break SV Apollo and Nicolas Appèrt offer a practical workshop and a free lunch. Are you feeling stressed and looking for a new hobby to cope with it? Look no further; this workshop will help you get started. Learn how to change your habits in an easy, sustainable time- and cost-effective way. It's the perfect way to de-stress during this busy season!.

CANCELLED MoneyWays - an interactive game

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 12:00-14:00h
	& 15:00-17:00h
Where	Atlas - B0044
By	Sterre Zwaanenburg
	Moneyways is developed by Sterre Zwaanenburg from Utrecht. She recently graduated from HKU University of Arts in Utrecht – Art & Economics. She will be our game-leader during the Surf your Stress week.

Money makes you happy, right? It’s a common saying, but is it really true? Contrary to what you may believe, happiness does not increase proportionally to the size of your bank account. An empty wallet, on the other hand, can be a cause of distress. ’Many students are well aware of the reality of financial stress. In fact, as a student, balancing your financial affairs alongside your academic workload and social life can be quite demanding. Do you want to feel more in charge of your finances?

What is your ‘financial attitude’? - Moneyways is a fun interactive game about money & student life. Each player steps in the shoes of a student with their own unique perspective on money. You will be faced with various choices at a price, but in return, you will receive ‘knowledge’ and/or ‘pleasure’ points. There is no right or wrong, just experience where the game takes you.

After the game, players and game-leader will discuss the choices they made. This will give you valuable insights into the consequences of your financial attitude and behavior. Join us on a playful exploration.

18:00 - 19:00h Social Media - Prison or Liberation? (Free Drinks!)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 18:00-19:00h
Where	Impulse - Speakers Corner
By	Dan Hassler-Forest
	Dan Hassler-Forest (1973) is a media scholar who speaks, writes, and teaches about the interaction between popular culture and societal debates. He works as an Assistant Professor in the department of Media and Culture Studies of the University of Utrecht, where he does research on the ways in which social power is represented through popular media – with a particular focus on major entertainment franchises.

Students today – you guys - represent the first generation that has grown up in a world dominated by ubiquitous smartphones and social media platforms. On the one hand, it has given us all tremendous freedom of expression, with access to knowledge, media, and communities that previous generations lacked.

At the same time, stress and anxiety levels are at a historic high, especially among young people. As much as we complain about our collective addiction to these technological innovations, only very few of us take action and turn their backs on these practices.

Social media and our well-being
In this lecture, Dan Hassler-Forest will contextualize these sweeping changes. How did our media landscape change from mainstream broadcast media to the algorithmically driven media that dominate social media platforms? How does social media influence our mental well-being? And how can we balance the benefits and drawbacks of social media in our lives? After the presentation there will be time for dialogue about the subject.

FULL! - 19:00 - 21:00h Your Natural Cycle - FULL!

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For	Students & PhD
When	Thursday, 9 November - 19:00-21:00h
Where	Impulse - Speakers Corner
By	Anneke Valk
	Anneke Valk is a biologist. She has been teaching ‘Human and Animal Biology’ at WUR since 2012. Her passion is inspiring others in harnessing that biology knowledge, to increase vitality, health and life happiness. She is also a sports teacher at SC de Bongerd and a four time nominee for WUR’s Teacher of the Year Award.

Some days you feel amazing, thrilled, happy to connect to other people. Then two weeks later even the smallest event can cause tears or distress. These “highs and lows” are no fantasy. This is your body cycling through the different phases of your menstrual cycle. And guys, do read on if you are in the half of the population that doesn’t menstruate: you want to know this.

Superpowers & Pitfalls -Did you know that women cycle through different ‘seasons’ every month? They all have their own superpowers and pitfalls. Some days provide you with tremendous energy and gracefulness. Other days your hormones will nudge you to reflect, ponder, and sort out which things you can let go of. In this workshop,

Anneke Valk explains the characteristics and signals you can trace. This is super relevant for anyone, of any gender. Anneke’s energy will likely surprise and captivate you. After just 1,5 hours, you’ll understand so much more of the power of the Natural Cycle.

Friday, 10 November '23

10:00 - 13:00h Ease your Thesis Stress (online)

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For	Students & PhD
When	Friday, 10 November - 10:00 - 13:00h
Where	Online
By	Jeanine Leenheer
	Jeanine Leenheer is a lifestyle coach, trainer and yoga teacher from Rotterdam. Her Thesis Anxiety Workshops at In Holland University of Applied Science are highly appreciated by students.

10:15 - 11:00h Mindfulness Meditation

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For	Students & PhD
When	Friday, 10 November - 10:15 - 11:00h
Where	Forum - V0031/V0034
By	Spectrum Wageningen

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

12:30 - 13:30h Zumba

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For	Students & PhD
When	Friday, 10 November - 12:30-13:30h
Where	SC de Bongerd - Sports Hall 4 B C (No sports rights needed)
By	Zumba instructor SC de Bongerd

Zumba combines cardio & muscle exercise with Latin American dance steps derived from merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, hip hop, mambo, rumba, flamenco, calypso, samba and axé.

The training targets areas such as the buttocks, legs, arms, abs and heart. The Zumba program was created by dancer and choreographer Beto Perez from Miami. The punchline of Zumba is training with pleasure, as the Zumba slogan says: "Ditch the workout, join the party". Bring water, towel(s), comfortable sportswear, indoor sports shoes, and of course a good mood!

FULL! 12:30 - 13:30h Catch your Energy in Colour - FULL!

COlorful abstract painting - workshop catch your energy in color

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For	Students & PhD
When	Friday, 10 November - 12:30-13:30h
Where	Aurora - B9110
By	Marjet Stamsnijder
	Marjet Stamsnijder is an inventive, open minded, and energetic art teacher.

Colour is a dynamic source of radiant energy that ripples in waves. Are you still with us? Well, the important thing is; colour has the remarkable ability to evoke emotions and that is what we will experience in this workshop.

Blue for tranquility, yellow to uplift the mood - Blue, for instance, can promote a sense of tranquility, while purple invokes a soothing calmness that helps alleviate stress. Additionally, yellow, as its complementary counterpart, can counteract stress and uplift your mood. Artists are well aware of the interplay of colors. They seek balance, intensity, and expression in their work.

That being said, even if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush in years (if ever), this workshop is for you. Whether you want to express your emotions, reveal your inner world, or simply add a splash of color, it will be both enriching and fun.