Wednesday afternoon became a bit more relaxing with a pumpkin decorating and chocolate tasting event sponsored by the Shippensburg University Counseling Center.

Students stood in line at the Library Plaza, waiting to let their creative juices flow. They searched eagerly through envelopes of paper eyes, noses and mouths, deciding how they wanted their plastic pumpkin friend to look.

Some chose happy eyes and smiling mouths for a cute look. Others, like graduate student Robert Hopkins, wanted to keep it simple.

“I’ll probably just do a traditional face,” he said while looking through the assortment of facial features.

Decorating pumpkins was not the only attraction. Pieces of chocolate were piled on a plate nearby, providing a tasty treat for the decorators.

The University Counseling Center hosts many stress relief events like this throughout the year. Some of its biggest attractions include the Wellness Fair and visits with therapy dogs. It also provides students with counseling and emotional support throughout the year for free.

Brianna Fuhrman, one of the graduate students from its outreach program, felt stress relief activities were important for boosting confidence.

“I think a lot of people don’t know what they can do,” she said.

The event seemed to be doing the trick. Students laughed and compared pumpkins, happy to get their minds off of school, work and adult responsibilities.

One of the handouts available for students described how making art naturally eases tension. This occurs when one experiences “flow”, a meditative state found when doing something creative. It can be achieved through many activities, such as sketching, gardening, and of course, decorating pumpkins. By achieving “flow,” people can easily relieve mental strain and boost happiness.

Another handout explained the delightful benefits of dark chocolate. Students who snacked on the 85 percent dark chocolate might not know its benefits for mental and physical health. Filled with antioxidants, the decadent delight will boost your mood and support cardiovascular health. The handout advised limiting yourself to only 3.5 ounces per day, however, since dark chocolate is still a sugary treat.

By finding their own “flow,” the students were able to forget college stress and focus on something creative. Even if it was only for an afternoon, the pumpkin decorating and chocolate tasting seemed to provide the perfect artistic outlet for stressed students. 

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