Wellness at CWRU

05/28/2026

Angela Hein Ciccia, professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at CWRU’s College of Arts and Sciences, noted that brain games can sharpen specific skills but don’t reliably improve everyday cognition. “The challenge is important,” she said. “When it stops being challenging, it stops having the same effect.” New, engaging, moderately difficult games practiced regularly are more beneficial than familiar, easy ones. Read more here:

Brain games are widely believed to sharpen your cognitive skills, especially as you age. But experts say there's no "magic bullet" for brain health.

05/27/2026

The Division of Public Safety is excited to host its second Safety Town on campus this summer! This free, interactive program is designed for children ages 5–6 and introduces them to essential safety skills in a fun, engaging environment.

Through hands-on activities and playful learning, kids explore how to stay safe in their daily world. From pedestrian and bicycle safety to fire safety, stranger awareness, and understanding traffic rules.

Location: Veale Center, 2158 Adelbert Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Dates: Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: Free

Visit our website to register your child today and help them build confidence, awareness, and lifelong safety habits!

05/27/2026

Are you struggling with seasonal allergies this year? Joao Pedro Matias Lopes, assistant professor of pediatrics at the CWRU School of Medicine, said Ohio's worsening allergy season stems from unpredictable seasonal mixing rather than new tree species. He recommends tracking pollen apps, showering after going outside, and wearing a cap and sunglasses to reduce exposure to eyes and nose.

The mixing of seasons is adding to concern for those who suffer from tree pollen allergies

05/26/2026

Lindsay Malone, clinical dietitian and instructor in the Department of Nutrition at CWRU, emphasized that sleep is critical for weight loss, noting poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, increases cravings and impairs decision-making, which makes it harder to maintain healthy eating habits and a calorie deficit. Read more tips from dietitians here:

From calories to sleep, these expert-backed habits make weight loss more realistic — and actually sustainable.

05/22/2026

Marjorie N. Edguer, assistant professor at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at CWRU, described the act of tapping as "cognitive reframing"—retraining the brain to process stressful thoughts differently. She cautioned against going it alone for trauma, recommending professional guidance to "support you and help you figure out how to manage all of those pieces." Research on tapping's effectiveness remains mixed. Read more about tapping here:

From phobias to trauma, this technique aims to lower distress by mixing touch with focused thought. Some find relief

05/21/2026

Norah Feeny, executive director of the Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being at CWRU, recently discussed the importance of mental well-being and ongoing challenges faced by millions of Americans coping with mental health issues. Read the article here:

Psychologists Share Tips and Urge Public to Overcome Barriers to Treatment Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every May, serves as a critical reminder of the importance of mental well-being and the ongoing challenges faced by millions of Americans coping with mental health issues. Despite growi...

05/20/2026

Just a few spots left in our upcoming Ceramics Series and each of our upcoming Summer Yoga classes!

🏺 The Ceramics Series consists of a six-session sequential course, scheduled for 9:30am - 12pm every Monday & Wednesday for the weeks spanning June 1st-June 17th! Drop-in or single sessions are not available.

🧘Summer Yoga consists of five individual classes scheduled for 8:30-9:30am every Saturday from May 31st-June 27th! Register for just one session or register for all five sessions and receive a 20% discount (one session free)!

Visit the CampusGroups Event Registration page at the link in our bio to snag one of the remaining spots!

05/15/2026

Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive, and find more meaning in your life—no matter your job. Learn more from poet and retired English professor Susan Glass on this 22-minute episode of Greater Good's The Science of Happiness podcast:

Finding ways to bend tasks toward your strengths and passions can make you happier, more productive and find more meaning in your life—no matter your job.

05/14/2026

Susan Hatters-Friedman, the Phillip J. Resnick Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the CWRU School of Medicine, said it’s understandable that people use AI for quick, private or affordable health advice, but warned that medical and psychiatric symptoms still require professional evaluation because AI can amplify misinformation and miss urgent issues that trained providers are needed to identify.

1 In 3 Americans Use AI For Health Advice. These Online Services Are A Better Option

05/13/2026

Thomas Stokkermans, associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, explained how oral antihistamines reduce allergic reactions but also decrease tear production. "Be careful with what extra drops you put in your eyes during the allergy season. Allergy drops can be drying for the same reasons that oral allergy medications dry you out," said Stokkermans. Learn more here:

A balanced approach that includes thoughtful treatment adjustments, careful medication choices, and supportive daily habits can help keep symptoms under control throughout the season.

05/12/2026

With a new $6.2 million, 5-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, researchers at CWRU will use AI and machine learning to identify possible genetic targets to treat Alzheimer’s. The intent, said principal investigator Jonathan L. Haines, chair of the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the School of Medicine, is to provide doctors and drugmakers with new information that could prevent, slow, or even cure the disease. Learn more:

With a new $6.2 million, five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging, researchers at Case Western Reserve University will use artificial i...