Five Ways to Reduce Stress at NIU

As a student, you automatically have free access to NIU Recreation, with facilities throughout campus. You’ll find plenty of ways to stay active:

• Lift weights, squeeze in some cardio or join a pickup game or fitness class at our Recreation Center.
• How about a swim in our Anderson Hall pool?
• Compete against other schools in our student-run Sport Clubs.
• Consider joining one of our more than 40 intramural sports and activities for men’s, women’s and co-recreational leagues.

When you feel well, you do well! Social connection, mental health, sleep and physical health all contribute to your wellness. We offer resources to help:

• Learn about how to be well through Mission Wellness, and get involved in wellness activities on campus.
• Find comprehensive mental health support through our Counseling and Consultation Services.
• Connect with a nutrition coach to fuel your body and your mind.

If you need some downtime or a break from your routine, try these options:

• Hang a hammock near our lagoon (a favorite spot!) or simply find a quiet place to relax on our beautiful campus.
• Feeling more adventurous? Explore our adventure trips and unique opportunities such as kayaking, hiking and ice skating, just to name a few, through Outdoor Adventures.
• Join a game of disc golf, basketball or tennis or simply relax and breathe it all in. DeKalb’s 44 parks offer space to venture out, whether on foot, bike or skates.

Going to class is only part of the student experience. Here are some great ways to meet friends and find community:

• Visit a cultural resource center.
• Cheer on our Huskie athletes. 
• Explore our over 200 clubs and organizations.
• Get to know our fraternity and sororities.

Start with at least one and just see where it goes.

We’re all about fun here and always have something going:

• Check out our calendar of events for all sorts of exciting and educational activities.
• Into video games? Huskies play 7 days a week in our large esports arena, with 24 open play computers, 9 console gaming areas, tabletop gaming areas, a VR room and designated gaming PCs for our varsity teams.
• How about a game or movie night? Get together with friends in your residence hall or head to the esports arena, where you’ll find areas for tabletop games ranging from chess to Dungeons and Dragons and everything in between.