Students feeling the stress of class work this fall can find some solace at the Living Well Lounge, located across from the Fitness Centre in the University Student Union (USU).

The lounge, operated by the Klotz Student Health Center, is a free service to all currently enrolled students.

“One of the major things that get in the way of people succeeding academically is stress,” said Sharon Aronoff, health educator of the center. “This was designed to help students with that.”

Students can walk in anytime to hang out and unwind. They can also come in to do homework or hold a study group in a relaxing environment, Aronoff said.

The lounge has a computer and printer available for student use, and a television in which movies are shown regularly, she said.

The Living Well Lounge is also a place for students to find health related information and resources. The lounge is staffed by Alive and Well Peer Educators who are available to answer questions, Aronoff said. Students can pick up health related brochures, or make an appointment with a peer nutrition counselor, she added.

Lounge staff show movies such as “Supersize Me”, which are related to health issues, Aronoff said.

Free classes, such as introductions to meditation or yoga, are offered at the lounge a few times throughout the semester, Aronoff said. Availability of such programs will be posted outside the lounge.

Carolina Herrera, 22, who volunteered as a peer educator last year, is returning to do so again this year.

“We usually have a table outside greeting people with a lot of good information,” said Herrera, a nutrition, dietetics and food science major.

One example of the information students may find is a list of healthy things to eat on campus, she said.

Herrera said she and the other peer educators strive to make students visiting the lounge as comfortable as possible.

Jessica Macias, 20, peer educator and public health education major, said people come into the lounge for a variety of reasons, like eating, studying, or just checking their e-mail.

There are typically two peer educators on staff at all times, she said. Peer educators are available to answer student questions about health resources on campus as well as assist in health research for class projects.

The lounge, now in its third year, is still in the process of growing, Aronoff said.

Plans for additions such as a massage chair are in the works, she added.