College can be a time of overwhelming circumstances and uncontrollable stress. With final exams looming around the corner and assignments piling up, students may find themselves in need of a quiet place to rest and recharge. The Dragonfly Room in Gallup A is just that place.
The atmosphere of the room is unlike any other place on campus. It’s quiet, cool in the heat and designed to include all things peaceful. Walking into it is like taking a portal to a place where stress isn’t hanging over your shoulder, where you can sit and breathe deeply for the first time in a while.
Iyenani Zabadi, the supervisor of the room and the Wellness Promotion Coordinator of Eastern, said this was one thing she was especially proud of, “It has become this space where people love every time they walk in… So I love that about this space. How the environment can actually really already impact your mood before you even do anything.”
But the room is more than just calm vibes and welcome silence. It hosts sessions twice a day on a weekly basis. These are run by Dragonfly Room Assistants, who provide reassurance and support, and who guide students through themed activities meant to help them detox and recenter. On top of that, the room boasts a small library on books about recovery and trauma, especially for victims of sexual assault, and even hosts Tandy the therapy dog for students to meet. All of this is meant to create an environment that nurtures wellness and that cares for the whole student.
“In that space you can challenge people to put themselves first and prioritize themselves, which is very important in college. It’s very fast paced. We’re always moving and we neglect some things… So I think it’s valuable because it’s saying, ‘No, this is your space.’ This is your space, and everyone is welcome,” Zabadi said.
So make use of your space, and wander your way to the Dragonfly Room for a quick break amid the chaos of the end of the semester.
