Library
Isabella Scollard
79
Stressless is a campaign launched by library staff in Augustine Hall that invites students and library visitors to come along and experiment with arts and crafts, play board games or even recharge with a cosy hot chocolate before the next rounds of revision.
It’s easy to get swept up in the pressure of studies and have a tunnel-vision focus on your work, but this can become unhealthy. Instead of running on copious amounts of coffee and adrenaline to churn out your work, we encourage you to slow down the pace and join in with some stressless sessions as a moment to relax, away from the textbooks and screens, and channel your energy into a creative output.
Poster created by library staff on Canva
Some recent crafty activities that we have organised include zine-making, cut-out poetry, leaf printing and upcycling unused materials into coasters! If you aren’t as into artsy activities, then there are always the games, Wii, or table tennis to play, and many more options!
We know that, as students, your mind can be a whir of worry about looming assignments and deadlines. Hopefully, the upcoming events listed below will offer some stress-relief.
Plus, it’s all free!
Upcoming Events:
Photo of a previous stressless event, taken by library staff.
Eco-Hope StressLess Session
Tuesday, March 3rd.
Held in Augustine House Library, 2nd floor foyer.
Take a break from your studies with some fun eco-friendly DIY projects…
Upcycle some pre-loved items by painting wine glasses and making seed bombs to spread a little Eco-positivity.
Photo of a previous stressless event.
Sustainability is a huge priority for us here at the library; we want to encourage care and compassion for the earth we inhabit, and this stressless event will demonstrate that crafting doesn’t have to be wasteful. By reusing materials to create new crafts, we are transforming one man’s rubbish into another’s treasure.
Hopefully, we can inspire you to be mindful and pause before throwing old items away. Have fun and be creative with it!
University Mental Health Day StressLess
Thursday, March 12th.
Held in Augustine House Library, 2nd-floor foyer.
The act of creating is a great way to reach a state of mindfulness, so take some time out to relax, connect, and try a range of calming activities designed to support your wellbeing.
Drop in and enjoy foil embossing, creating flower bookmarks, and our Give it a Go collection, which includes paper crafts, crochet, knitting, friendship bracelets, and more. We also have a mindfulness box with recommended breathing techniques and tips to use when your nervous system is spiralling and needs to settle.
Photo of previous stressless activities.
In honour of University Mental Health Day, our stressless champions also suggested writing some motivational notes to pass around to students. We would love for students to come along to the stressless session and join in on this small act of kindness
Step into Spring with StressLess
Tuesday, April 14th.
Held in Augustine House Library.
Celebrate the arrival of a new season through arts and crafts, embracing the longer and sunnier days ahead.
Spring is the season of renewal and growth, which are qualities that we love to promote here at Stressless. We will offer activities that are sustainable and mindful, such as up-cycling, with the goal to leave students feeling replenished for spring!
Photo of a previous stressless event.
Celebrate May Day with StressLess
Thursday, May 14th.
Held in Augustine House Library.
Welcome in the lighter days with a joyful, creative StressLess session inspired by May Day traditions.
Hang out in a chilled and friendly environment and get hands-on with spring-themed activities, including designing flowery bookmarks, rolling your own seed bombs, and crocheting flower crowns.
Photo of a previous stressless event.
We are even crafting leaf masks inspired by the English folklore of the greenman, the spirit of the woods!
Drop in, take part, and celebrate the season.
Canterbury Pride Stressless June 2nd
June 2nd, Tuesday.
Held in Augustine House Library.
Get pride ready with a range of themed crafts – take what you make to Canterbury Pride! Celebrate love!
In our StressLess session celebrating pride, we want to continue cultivating an inclusive space for community, acceptance and friendship!
Photo of a previous stressless event.
This will be done through various collaborative activities and creations, some of which you will be able to take away as a little reminder to always champion the values of Pride Month – resilience, diversity and love.
Why should you come?
Photo of the stressless games section.
Creative expression is generally regarded as beneficial for the brain, as it can provide an emotional release but also propel the mind out of the lulled, passive state that is common in this technology-driven world. Being creative, therefore, revitalises different pathways for critical and innovative thinking. Both your well-being and academic work may benefit from coming along to a session and finding a sense of peace in the mindful act of creating.
Throughout history, people have always come together as a community to create. It encourages connection and conversation, the passing of knowledge and stories. Come to StressLess to grow your relationships at CCCU, strengthen familiar bonds, or alternatively, revel in the solitary act of crafting.
You don’t have to mingle at our events. There is also something therapeutic about intentionally carving out time for yourself.
Come as a group or alone; either way, we hope you leave feeling rejuvenated.
Book Recommendations!
Photo of stressless book swap shelf.
There are also some interesting books about arts and crafts movements in Augustine House Library and on LibrarySearch for you to delve into…
| Book Title | Classmark | Location |
International arts and crafts | 745.409034 INT | Augustine House 4-week loan |
| Angel in the studio: women in the arts and crafts movement, 1870-1914 | 745.0922 CAL | Augustine House 4-week loan |
| The arts and crafts movement in Britain | 745.0941 GRE | Augustine House 4-week loan |
| Craft is political | E-book | LibrarySearch |
Screenshot of the book ‘Art Cure’ from the CCCU Bookshop website
A great book to read if you are interested in further exploring how art can be healing, specifically through the lens of scientific research, is the ‘Art Cure’ by Daisy Fancourt. Copies can be ordered from the CCCU bookshop website, or pop into the store on campus to have a browse.
