Stressbusters

• Learn effective backrub techniques
• Meet and team with other students committed to helping people be healthier
• Participate when and where you want
• Get experience working on a high-profile wellness initiative
• Make a huge difference in peoples’ days
• Access special academic and career connections
• Have fun, make friends and reduce your own stress

During a 3-4 hour training workshop, you will learn:

• How to provide simple, low-intensity backrub techniques
• Essential communication with backrub recipients
• Key campus wellness resources and how to access them
• Strategies for successful backrubs and events

No. Stressbusters are community service volunteers, and your training will in no way qualify you to provide services akin to what a licensed massage therapist or physical therapist offers for a fee. Similarly, event attendees do not pay for backrubs.

In addition to the training, participation in at least one event per week is required. Events will be for one hour in the late afternoon/early evening on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Since the average event is one-hour duration, your total minimum time commitment to the program will be approximately 18 hours per semester.

You will never bust alone; you will always be with other Stressbusters, providing backrubs in public spaces. Some examples of Stressbusters event locations and occasions at other schools have included the main library’s mezzanine every Wednesday, residence hall lounges for study breaks, health service waiting areas, the student center and in classroom buildings during midterms.

Yes! Formal evaluation of the impact of the Stressbusters program indicates significantly reduced stress and overwhelmed feelings among participants following a single Stressbusters event. Stressbustees also report feeling better able to complete tasks and cope with stress following their Stressbusters experience.

It can seem strange, but most concerned first-time Stressbusters and backrub recipients say that once you try it, those apprehensions disappear. The popularity of Stressbusters events combined with the great appreciation that most backrub recipients express, tend to override the natural concern you raised.

Stressbusters offers outstanding leadership and resume-building opportunities including program and event coordination, social media communications, marketing, business development, community service, volunteer management and health promotion. Stressbusters team leaders work with students, campus groups, staff and leadership teams at other Stressbusters schools.