Managing Stress

Counseling

Low-cost counseling and testing services are available through OU Health Services including individual, couples and group counseling.

Health Promotion PDF Leaflets

OU Health Services has several health related leaflets for common illnesses as well as general advice on dealing with stress including: Managing Stress, Test Anxiety and Simple Relaxation (2 and 3)

Exercise and Well Being

OU Recreational Services

The Houston Huffman is the University of Oklahoma gym and includes cardio, weight machine and free weight training rooms, an indoor track, basketball and badminton courts as well as many group classes. Your OU fees already include membership to the gym. Group classes and lockers can be purchased at a low per-semester rate. Watch out for the group class sale at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters when group class fees can sometimes be purchased for half the usual per-semester rate.

Access to the OU pool is also included in your fees. The outdoor pool is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day while the indoor pool is open year-round. Check the website for opening hours including lane and recreational swimming times. Lockers can be purchased separately per-semester and water-aerobics classes are included in the group class fee which also covers classes at the Huffman.

In addition to on campus activities OU Recreational Services offers camping equipment rental if you would like to explore some of Oklahoma's beautiful State Parks.

As students at OU you may also purchase low-rate memberships for your spouse for the Huffman and swim complex.

Cleveland County YMCA

Cleveland County YMCA offers another work out option for those not wanting to use the on campus facilities. They also offer cardio and weight training as well as a pool. The YMCA offers special student rates as well as assistance for low-income individuals and families.

Norman Ashtanga Yoga Studio

Close to campus on White Street this offers a stress reducing alternative to the big and busy gyms. Small classes with individualized instruction can be a great way to unwind. The studio also offers a special introductory offer of $10 for ten days of classes in which time you can take classes at studio as many times as you like.

Run Norman

Running can be a great stress reliever, hammer out a few miles in the morning and the day ahead is much more palatable. Run Norman is a Norman based running group which organizes informal group runs. Days and times are fairly changeable so keep an eye on the website and the Facebook Group for starting times and locations.

Oklahoma State Parks

Oklahoma has a great variety of State Parks some of which, like Lake Thunderbird, are not too far from Norman. Hiking around a State Park can be a great way of managing stress. If you would like to wander further afield and even camp over night OU Recreational Services offers camping equipment rental and many of the State Parks also have cabins which can booked up to a year in advance.

Humor

Piled Higher & Deeper (Ph.D.)

Sometimes you just need to laugh at life in academia. Piled Higher and Deeper has some hilarious comics about "life (or lack thereof) in academia".