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Wellbeing Calendar

Last updated on 20 June 2025
Are you looking for social activities, opportunities to develop yourself alongside your studies or options to improve your physical and mental wellbeing? Find an overview of all initiatives in the Wellbeing Calendar!

The academic year is divided into 7 blocks with corresponding themes and activities. Whether you are looking for workshops, lectures, meditation sessions, sports activities or social events, this calendar reflects the comprehensive overview of opportunities at VU to promote your wellbeing and lead a balanced life. New initiatives and activities are added to this page throughout the year.

Scroll down to discover what VU can offer you!

This month's theme: Final stretch.

Social activities

  • VU Language Stories – 18 September

    What is your VU Language Story? You’re invited to the screening of the documentary VU Language Stories, followed by aftertalk.

    In the documentary VU Language Stories, six members of the VU community share the languages they speak, the stories behind these languages, and the role of language at VU and in their lives.

    Following the screening, we’ll engage in a conversation about what language diversity means for our VU community and the importance of language for an inclusive academic environment. 

    • What languages do you speak? What are your language stories?
    • How comfortable do you feel in Dutch or English, the main languages of communication at VU? How can we make sure that we understand one another in an equal and respectful way so that the VU language community remains accessible to everyone?
    • And how can we make the most of other languages spoken at VU?

    After the discussion, you are warmly invited to enjoy a drink and a good conversation in the language of your choice from 18.00-19.00!

    Register here before 31 July 2025 (click: Start now) and bring your own VU language story to the meeting.

    Watch the trailer of the documentary here.

    Contact: Mariana Videira Peixoto – m.videira.peixoto@student.vu.nl

    Practical information
    • Date & time: Thursday, 18 September 2025 16:30 - 18:00
    • Location: NU-4C07 (Theater 6)

Wellbeing

  • Meditation sessions – every Monday & Wednesday

    Need a break? join us for meditation in the silence room (HG-1A53).

    More and more people meditate, they do so because of mental health, and longing for rest, focus or balance. Some meditate because of the stress-reducing effects or because of their religious or ideological beliefs. Whatever your reason may be for meditating, it is often easier to do so in communities, where you can make friends and share experiences. So joins us for weekly meditations, in a silent meditation group, a traditional Buddhist and/or a Christian meditation.

    Meditation Group, every Monday 12:55-1:15 PM in the Silence Room (HG-1A53). Join us in silence to meditate in whatever way you prefer. We share our experiences afterwards.

    Buddhist Meditation, every Wednesday 12:45–1:15 PM in the Silence Room (HG-1A53). Join a guided Buddhist meditation, and share a silent practice with each other.

    You are very welcome to use the Silence Room (HG-1A53) for whatever ideological or religious silence practice when no activities take place. 

  • VU in Motion – every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

    VU in Motion will go outside on campus from 15 April onwards!

    From 15 April, the range of short, accessible exercise sessions offered by VU in Motion will change slightly.

    On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30, we will offer 15 minutes of Qi Gong, which will be held outside on the campus square again until October, close to the new Calisthenics park.

    Following on from Qi Gong, there will be free walk-in Calisthenics on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 13:15. This means that there will be an instructor present who can offer you some help and inspiration with the equipment at the Calisthenics park, no strings attached!

    On Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. it is time for Standing Yoga, which starts in the hall of the OZW.

    You are welcome to join us for a short, fun exercise break during your work or study day! Just wear your regular clothes!

    VU in Motion   
    VU in Motion aims to get employees and students to move a little more on and around the VU Campus. It has been scientifically proven that (more) movement leads to (more) physical and mental health. VU is also part of the sitting culture that has almost replaced natural movement worldwide. And we want to change that! Each week we will provide a tip or a fun fact to encourage you to meet one of the three movement guidelines. These guidelines for adults and seniors are as follows:   

    • Movement is good; more movement is better. Do at least 150 (preferably 210) minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, spread over several days.   
    • Do 2-3x/week an intensive(er) workout of 30-60 min, focusing on strength and conditioning, for the elderly additionally combined with balance exercises.   
    • And avoid sitting still! In other words, half an hour of movement/sports a day cannot compensate for the damage of further prolonged sitting still. 2 minutes of moderate-intensity movement every 20 minutes has very positive effects.

    Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese movement form that not only strengthens your body, but balances your whole being (body, mind and spirit) by activating the vital life energy, or Qi. This life energy flows through your body via meridians (energy pathways that run through your body and connect all organs). By practising Qi Gong, these meridians can be activated and balanced, leading to greater vitality and inner peace. It improves flexibility and mobility , strengthens the immune system, increases energy, reduces stress, improves focus and concentration, increases emotional balance and breathing. A short 15-minute Qi Gong session already gives great results, so perfect for an invigorating break activity!

Pathways to Wellbeing: Let's talk about... Friendship

Student life is a fun but challenging time. How do you find the right balance? Four VU students take you through and share their experiences on the topics of friendship, making choices, stress & happiness.

In this video, we talk about friendship. What does friendship really mean? What do you do when you want to make friends? And do you ever feel lonely? Check out the perspectives of the four VU students in this video!

More on student wellbeing

Does your activity belong on the wellbeing calendar as well?

Contact the Student wellbeing team!

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