2008 Woodie Awards
Health Services offers a new program for student self-care
Nate Batchelder
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News
UNH Health Services has begun offering a new program known as biofeedback, providing students with information to take better care of themselves and lead healthier lifestyles.
Implemented at the start of the fall semester, this unconventional application is a computer-based program that takes the user's sensory information to enhance relaxation and help deal with the various stressors students have to cope with.
"Biofeedback is a way of increasing skills to provide self-care," said Kathleen Grace-Bishop, director of education and promotion at Health Services. "The program assists students in learning how to quiet their minds, to control their reactions to external experiences and to increase awareness of thoughts and feelings and their impact on the body."
The program is set in a dim light room on the second floor of Health Services with a curtain to allow for privacy. The laptop has headphones and a three-finger sensor. As the computer boots up, the desktop has only one program titled "Healing Rhythms," sponsored by The Wild Devine Project.
As the users open the program, they're prompted to create a profile. Once chapter one is completed, "Self Discovery" fades into focus as soothing chime music plays through the headphones.
Sections one through six promote quieting your mind, observing your thoughts, finding your inner balance, releasing physical tension, cultivating positive emotions and revealing your inner wisdom.
The sections, one to two recommended per appointment, guide users through various techniques, most of which are narrated by established doctors in the field. As the users go through the exercises, the finger sensors measure change in heart rate and body temperature.
Associate professor Barbara White, who teaches the Stressed Out class at UNH, said biofeedback is a way to know the individual is doing something correctly.
"Football players know they are doing the right thing when they score a touchdown. Biofeedback lets you know what you should feel like when you're relaxed," said White.
Implemented at the start of the fall semester, this unconventional application is a computer-based program that takes the user's sensory information to enhance relaxation and help deal with the various stressors students have to cope with.
"Biofeedback is a way of increasing skills to provide self-care," said Kathleen Grace-Bishop, director of education and promotion at Health Services. "The program assists students in learning how to quiet their minds, to control their reactions to external experiences and to increase awareness of thoughts and feelings and their impact on the body."
The program is set in a dim light room on the second floor of Health Services with a curtain to allow for privacy. The laptop has headphones and a three-finger sensor. As the computer boots up, the desktop has only one program titled "Healing Rhythms," sponsored by The Wild Devine Project.
As the users open the program, they're prompted to create a profile. Once chapter one is completed, "Self Discovery" fades into focus as soothing chime music plays through the headphones.
Sections one through six promote quieting your mind, observing your thoughts, finding your inner balance, releasing physical tension, cultivating positive emotions and revealing your inner wisdom.
The sections, one to two recommended per appointment, guide users through various techniques, most of which are narrated by established doctors in the field. As the users go through the exercises, the finger sensors measure change in heart rate and body temperature.
Associate professor Barbara White, who teaches the Stressed Out class at UNH, said biofeedback is a way to know the individual is doing something correctly.
"Football players know they are doing the right thing when they score a touchdown. Biofeedback lets you know what you should feel like when you're relaxed," said White.
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