University of Sheffield introduces yoga areas and meditation sessions for stressed students

A university in Sheffield has introduced yoga areas and meditation sessions to help stressed-out students “relax” during exam periods.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The University of Sheffield has created the chill-out zones in its three main libraries – the Information Commons, Western Bank Library and in The Diamond – in response to requests from its students.

Sessions in meditation and “hypnosis for inner calm and positivity” are also now available throughout exam season to “improve focus”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Whether you’re finding it hard to focus or you need time out from the stress that studying long hours can bring, stretching could be of benefit,” according to the University’s exam support web page.

A stretching area in the University's Diamond libraryA stretching area in the University's Diamond library
A stretching area in the University's Diamond library

Alison Little, associate director of learning strategy and student engagement at the University of Sheffield Libraries, said: "Student feedback plays a key role in helping us provide the best possible services to our students and the stretching areas were created in response to direct feedback from students, to help them focus when spending longer hours studying.

"Student wellbeing is incredibly important and we strive to encourage all students to study healthily and to take regular breaks. As part of this, we recently created the Garden Room in the Information Commons as a place of relaxation and calm to accompany the study break pass scheme, designed to encourage healthy study alongside fair use of space amongst students."

The temporary areas will not come at the expense of study spaces, a University spokesperson confirmed.