Wildcat Pause Day invites campus community to recharge and reconnect

Wildcat Pause Day may give students a break from classes, but the invitation to pause, recharge and reconnect is for the entire K-State community, including faculty and staff.

Now in the final year of a three-year pilot, Wildcat Pause Day will take place universitywide on Friday, Oct. 9. This year’s event complements Homecoming Week on the Manhattan campus, creating additional opportunities for students and employees to take part in the week’s activities while prioritizing their well-being. It is also a key part of Health and Well-being Month in October.

A pause for faculty and staff, too

Wildcat Pause Day started in 2024 to give students a one-day break from classes to focus on their physical, emotional and mental well-being. The day provides a needed pause during the fall semester, when students go from Labor Day to the end of November without a break in instruction. This long stretch has been cited as a stressor for student success, particularly regarding mental health and well-being.

While Wildcat Pause Day was created with students in mind, its importance extends to everyone in the K-State community. Faculty and staff also face demanding semesters, and the university is committed to supporting their physical, emotional and mental well-being throughout the year.

“Taking care of ourselves isn’t a luxury,” said Windy Nicholson, executive director of Faculty and Staff Well-being. “It’s part of being able to do our best work, learn, teach and contribute to the K-State community. When we make well-being part of the K-State experience, we’re saying that our people matter.”

Find your own way to recharge and connect

While faculty and staff won’t have a day off from work, they can still take part in Wildcat Pause Day and its many opportunities to connect and focus on well-being. Employees can join the Employee Gardening Group, try a watercolor workshop, attend a Lunch and Learn or cooking class, take a walk around campus, participate in a Community Building Circle event on the Salina campus or simply take a few minutes during the workday to pause and recharge. There’s something for everyone, whether you have an hour to spare or just a few minutes.

Opportunities are available throughout October as part of Health and Well-being Month, with activities and resources designed to support employees throughout the busy fall semester. Faculty and staff can explore what’s available on the Faculty and Staff Well-being and Wildcat Pause Day webpages. Some events are available virtually for those who can’t attend in person.

Easy tips for healthy habits

Well-being can start with something small. Incorporating simple healthy habits into your regular routine can pay dividends during Wildcat Pause Day or any time throughout the year.

• Unplug from digital devices: While you might not be able to disconnect from technology completely, try silencing unnecessary notifications, even for an hour. Use this time to mentally reset, organize your thoughts and focus on a task without distraction.
• Create some breathing room: Take charge of your time by planning a day with fewer distractions and no meetings. If meetings are unavoidable, consider turning them into walking meetings. Or use the time to catch up on projects, reorganize your workspace and check off smaller tasks that might have been piling up.
• Move your body: Just 20 minutes of movement is a great way to recharge your energy and boost your mood. Stroll around one of K-State’s three campuses or get up from your chair and take a short walk within your building if the weather is a factor. If you’re on the Manhattan campus, consider the Wildcat Walk for Health from 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Oct. 13, starting at Bosco Plaza.
• Connect with others: Visit with a colleague you don't often see. Grab some friends for coffee or organize a lunch get-together or wellness challenge. The key is to spend meaningful time with others.
• Take your foot off the pedal: Slow down and give yourself permission to step away from your work for a few minutes. Stretch, grab a cup of coffee or simply sit somewhere quiet. Short breaks can give your mind a chance to reset and help restore your energy and focus.

“Sometimes we think taking care of ourselves has to be a major undertaking, but it doesn’t,” Nicholson said. “It can be a walk, a conversation with a colleague, a creative activity or simply taking a few minutes to breathe and reset. By meeting people where they are, we hope Wildcat Pause Day and Health and Well-being Month remind everyone at K-State that it’s okay and important to make time for their well-being.”

— Submitted by Morgan Greene