What's on

Wellbeing Week 2023

02.10.2023 - 07.10.2023 |Kaikki

Wellbeing Week will be held for the tenth time at the University of Eastern Finland from 2nd to 7th of October 2023. The aim of the Wellbeing Week is to offer UEF students and staff a wellbeing promoting program throughout the week.

Less sitting, more activity

This year, the theme of the week is to increase the number of breaks and activity in everyday life. Technological developments have increased the amount of sitting at work and in leisure time. In addition, distance learning and work have significantly reduced the amount of unconscious physical activity that takes place during the day, as there are no transfers from one place to another. Long periods of sitting and being sedentary have significant negative health effects. In addition, lack of physical activity has a negative impact on concentration and thus on learning. It is therefore important to pay attention to the amount of time you spend sitting still and how to reduce that amount of time.

During Wellbeing week, a variety of activities will be organised to increase the amount of breaks and movement in the day. ISYY will also share on Instagram the information on the health effects of excessive sitting and ways to reduce it. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the theme week, for the first time a WellbeingAppro will be organised. At the appro, participants collect stamps on their passes during the week from activities and other programs.

See below for the timetable of the week's program. The week's activities are free of charge and some require pre-registration. Some activities are for students, some for staff and some for everyone. You can find information from each activity’s information.

At the bottom of the page you will find information about the program and offers for the whole week, and participation in the WellbeingAppro.

Wellbeing week 2023 program

Monday 2.10.

Both campuses, for all: Finland’s Kennel Club Care Dogs and coffee from 11.30 am-2 pm

Kennel Club Care Dogs will be on the campuses in Joensuu at the Alkukivet statue and in Kuopio in front of Lukema/Studentia from 11.30 am to 2 pm. According to brain researcher Minna Huotilainen, taking breaks reduces the strain on the brain. Immediately after a break, work becomes smoother and more productive, the number of mistakes is reduced and solutions are more creative. And according to a YLE article, pets reduce stress. So come and take a restorative break while petting dogs and drinking coffee/tea!

Tuesday 3.10.

Joensuu, for students: Snack and workout at Portti54 gym at 2.15-3.15 pm
Edit 21.9.: Enroll is full, but you can ask for cancellations by email riina.paakkonen(at)isyy.fi

Welcome to SYKETTÄ's Portti54 gym for a snack and a workout. For example, snack biscuits and fruits are served. The workout session led by sports counsellor Riina is low-threshold exercise, so you don't need to have a previous exercise background. Please wear clothes that you can move in. Riina can also show you the gym equipment and guide you through the use of the equipment. You do not need a SYKETTÄ sticker to participate. Registration opens on the Kide.app on 13.9. at 3 pm.

Kide.app, opens in a new tab: Hyvinvointiviikko / Wellbeing week

Both campuses, for students: Coffee & Friends cafés

The Coffee & Friends café offers low-threshold hanging out and the opportunity to meet other students over coffee and a snack. You can come alone or with a friend. The café meets in Kuopio at 3-5 pm in Lukema and in Joensuu at 4.30-6.30 in the AU110 fireplace room in Aurora. You can come for a while or for the whole time. On 3.10. there will be board games on the program. No need to register in advance. From attending you get an overall badge as a memory.

Wednesday 4.10.

Joensuu, for students: Breakfast and workout at Portti54 gym at 8.15-9.15 am
Edit 21.9.: Enroll is full, but you can ask for cancellations by email riina.paakkonen(at)isyy.fi

Welcome to  SYKETTÄ's Portti54 gym for breakfast and a workout. Breakfast includes, for example, bread, porridge, smoothie and coffee. Workout led by sports counsellor Riina is low-threshold exercise, so you do not need to have a previous exercise background. Please wear clothes that you can move in. Riina can also show you the gym equipment and guide you through the use of the equipment. You do not need a SYKETTÄ sticker to participate. Registration opens on Kide.app on 13.9. at 3 pm.

Kide.app, opens in a new tab: Hyvinvointiviikko / Wellbeing week

Online, for students: FSHS’s Wellbeing week’s lecture: International wednesday - ask about health

More information about the lecture coming soon.

Both campuses, for all: Sports afternoon from 12.15 pm forward

SYKETTÄ services organise the traditional Sports afternoon from 12.15 forward. In addition to the usual SYKETTÄ activities, there will be plenty of other sports activities and special offers at sports facilities for students and staff during the afternoon. The campus-specific program will be published on the SYKETTÄ’s website. 

Sykettä.fi/kuopio, opens in a new tab: Sports afternoon Kuopio
Sykettä.fi/joensuu, opens in a new tab: Sports afternoon Joensuu

Thursday 5.10.

Kuopio, for students: Morning flow yoga and breakfast at 7.45-9.15 am

Thursday morning at Studentia there will be a morning flow yoga class and a breakfast served immediately after the class in the Studentia chapel. The breakfast includes, for example, bread, porridge, yoghurt and coffee. Pre-registration opens on 28.9. via the SYKETTÄ Kuopio exercise calendar. 20 participants can participate.

Sykettä.fi/kuopio, opens in a new tab: SYKETTÄ Kuopio sports calendar

Joensuu, for students: Snack and workout at Portti54 gym at 2.15-3.15 pm 

Welcome to SYKETTÄ's Portti54 gym for a snack and a workout. For example, snack biscuits and fruits are served. The workout session led by sports counsellor Riina is low-threshold exercise, so you don't need to have a previous exercise background. Please wear clothes that you can move in. Riina can also show you the gym equipment and guide you through the use of the equipment. You do not need a SYKETTÄ sticker to participate. Registration opens on the Kide.app on 13.9. at 3 pm.

Kide.app, opens in a new tab: Hyvinvointiviikko / Wellbeing week

Both campuses, for everyone: Movie night 
Edit 21.9.: Joensuu's movie night's enroll is full, but you can ask for cancellations by email riina.paakkonen(at)isyy.fi

It may be tricky or impossible to stand up and move around in a movie theater. That’s why it's important to pay attention to getting enough movement before and after the movie or other long time sitting.

In Kuopio, in collaboration with the Hyvät Kuvat movie club, The Whale (2022) movie is watched in Kino Kuvakukko movie theater. The Whale is about a morbidly obese English teacher who is still trying to connect with his daughter. The leading actor Brendan Fraser won an Oscar from his role. We recommend you bring tissues with you. The movie starts at 5.30 pm and lasts about two hours. There is no need to register in advance or to be a member of the Hyvät Kuvat club. Kino Kuvakukko's address is Vuorikatu 27, 70100.

In Joensuu, the classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) will be watched in the Agora’s AT100 room. The film adaptation of the first part of J.K. Rowling's fantasy series is a faithful depiction of how Harry starts school at Hogwarts, a school for wizards. The movie night starts at 6 pm and ends at 8.30 pm. Popcorn will be served, but please bring your own water bottle/soft drink. Registration opens on the Kide.app on 13.9. at 3 pm.

Kide.app, opens in a new tab: Hyvinvointiviikko / Wellbeing week

Friday 6.10.

Online, for everyone: Polar Night “Kaamos survival” lecture at 2-3 pm

The Study psychologist Katri Ruth from Student and Learning Services holds a polar night lecture called "Kaamos survival" in English on Fri 6th of October at 2-3 pm on Zoom. The effects of polar night time on the body and mind are discussed, and ways to cope with polar night are reviewed. You may think is it possible to enjoy the darkest time of the year in Finland? The answer is yes, but how? Attend the lecture to find out. Note! The lecture starts exactly at 2 pm. The record of the lecture can be viewed on ISYY's Youtube channel until 23.10. 9 am.

Youtube.com, opens in a new tab: Polar Night Survival lecture

Saturday 7.10.

Both campuses, for students: Day trip to the National Park of Tiilikkajärvi
Edit 21.9.: Departures from Joensuu and Kuopio are sold out. You can ask about cancellations by email riina.paakkonen(at)uef.fi

Tiilikkajärvi National Park is a diverse, wilderness hiking destination. The day trip includes a walk around the Uiton kierto (7 km), which takes over 3 hours. Halfway through the route, you can take a break at the Uitontuva fireplace or the beach at Venäjänhiekka. In the park it is possible to walk independently or in a group. You can also join an ISYY’s staff. The hike route is not for beginners and there is no guide with us. Departure starts from the campus on Saturday morning and return starts at 3.30 pm. It is recommended to have a nutritious breakfast and take a packed lunch to last you the whole day. We recommend that you bring weatherproof equipment.

Registration for the trip is open on the Kide.app from 13th to 28th of September or while places last. Please note that registration is binding, which means that you will have to pay a deposit of 10 € + 0,5 € service fee in advance. The deposit is refundable after participation in the event, but the Kide.app service fee is non-refundable.

Kide.app, opens in a new tab: Hyvinvointiviikko / Wellbeing week

Whole week program

  • Self-organised break activities at campus exercise corners. At the corners you will find exercise sticks and rubber bands for stretching and muscle training. The exercise corners have pictures and written instructions for break exercise. SYKETTÄ is responsible for replenishing the equipment at the exercise corners, so please contact us if there are any shortages. The corners are located at the following locations in Kuopio: lecture room CA101 opposite the door and lecture room SN201 next to the door; and in Joensuu: Futura and Agora 1st floor lobbies.
  • A video of the break exercise will be shown on the information boards of the campuses throughout the week. Stop for a moment at the information board and follow the instructor.

WellbeingAppro 2023 guidelines for participation

WellbeingAppro is organised as part of the Wellbeing Week by ISYY and UEF on 2.-7.10. Pick up your appro pass from the ISYY office between 18.9.-2.10. during office opening hours. Note! Passes are limited on both campuses, so be fast. You will receive a stamp on your appro pass when you participate in the Wellbeing Week program and activities organised by our partners. Remember to keep your appro pass with you for the week. Three (3) stamps must be collected between 2.-7.10. Ask a stamp from the activity organizer (see the exceptions below). In addition you can get a stamp on the pass for selected SYKETTÄ group exercise classes. Note! Requires a valid SYKETTÄ sticker. Show your pass to the instructor at the end of the class.

Exceptions for stamps

  • For the Sports afternoon activities, independently write on your passport "Sports afternoon", the activity you participated in and the time of day. 
  • For online lectures, independently write on your passport the lecture you attended and the time on the passport.

Offers throughout the whole Wellbeing Week

  • Morning porridge for only 1 € in Aura, Futura, Snellmania and Canthia at 7.45-9 am. Show your appro pass or say "wellbeingweek" for redeeming the offer.
  • Snacks -10% and special coffees -20% in campus restaurants. Show your appro pass or say "wellbeingweek" for redeeming the offer.

Return the completed appro pass to the ISYY office as soon as possible after Wellbeing Week, by Thursday 12.10.2023 at the latest, and you will receive a WellbeingAppro overall badge. By entering your contact details in the pass, you will be entered into a raffle to win one wellbeing product package (worth 30 €). One winner from each campus is raffled and the winners will be contacted individually by email on 13.10.2023.

Our partners during the Wellbeing week: UEF, SYKETTÄ Joensuu, SYKETTÄ Kuopio, FSHS, Compass Group, Hyvät Kuvat movie club ja Tukipilari.

Further information:

Riina Pääkkönen, BRIDGES Project Coordinator, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland, riina.paakkonen(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 491 6529