Two massage therapists, three bunnies, and numerous arts and crafts stations walked into Emerson’s Iwasaki Library, and Relaxapalooza was born. 

Though the library has been offering biannual de-stressing events during finals for the last decade, formerly known as “Cirque du De-stress,” last Friday the event premiered under a new name: “Relaxapalooza.”

“The planning takes a village,” said Elizabeth Apple, the marketing coordinator for the Iwasaki Library and part of Emerson’s visual media arts class of ‘22. “We’ve been meeting every Friday since October or September to put it all together.”

Every corner of space in the library was utilized. A hot cocoa and snack bar was set up along the walls, study rooms were made into make-shift massage therapy studios and all-day arts and craft stations offered rock painting, button and friendship bracelet making, coloring, and more. Even dogs, bunnies, and guinea pigs were given designated spaces for which students could sign up for a time to play with and pet the animals. 

For many students encountering Relaxapalooza was a happy accident after they came to the library to study for finals.

“When I came in it was a pleasant surprise. I really needed this,” said Anabeth Fernandaz, a junior business of creative enterprises student. “I was excited to take a pause from studying so I could participate … [and] about the bunnies and free food. Anything that’s free or involves animals has my heart.” 

Christina Harrington, the senior director of finance and business operations at Emerson, has brought her bunnies and guinea pigs to many student events.

“It started when the counseling center asked me to bring in the bunnies for orientation,” Harrington said. “Then some RAs got wind of it and asked if I would do some floor events with them. Then the library got wind and then I started doing this.” 

The chance to connect with animals was a highlight for many students.

“It’s fantastic and very calming,” Joe Norris, a senior creative writing major, said. “Animals are just so peaceful and unconcerned. With the stress of finals, this took me out of my own worries for a moment to just be with the creature.”

Emerson‘s Wellness Center also participated, offering care packages such as sleep kits that included lavender tea, earplugs, eye masks, and flyers with tips for sleep and rest. 

“Right now students are just in work mode and the stress is higher for anticipating the holidays and going home. So this event gives people a little bit of a break and hopefully some joy and some fun,” said Laura Owen, associate director of wellness and health emotions at the Wellness Center.

“We want to make sure that even though [students are] so busy, seeking help is still really easy and accessible,” Owen said. “We’ll help you get through it, help you get to the finish line, and get ready for break.”

As a former Emerson student, organizer Apple said she understands the needs of students during this time. 

“As Emerson students, we always do more than we probably should. I know how stressful it can be. We just want you to come in and let us take the stress out of your shoulders,” Apple said. 

They quite literally did take the stress out of students’ shoulders. The two massage therapists hired for the day were especially highly coveted. Scheduled appointment slots for the entire day were booked up by 11:30 a.m. and many who were unable to book an appointment chose to wait in line for the chance a therapist could fit them in. 

Molly Peay, a junior writing, literature and publishing major, booked her massage appointment immediately upon arriving but was a little skeptical at first. 

“I think it’s a great idea. We‘ll have to see by the end of the day if I’m less stressed though,“ she said.  

However, when The Beacon caught her again after her massage, she was fully converted. 

“It was really good. [The massage therapist] focused a lot on my shoulders because I was really tight. And she massaged my butt, but it was really relaxing. The entire massage I mean.
I do feel like it’s made me less stressed for finals. So if you didn’t get it, sucks to suck,“ Peay said.

Other students shared Peay’s enthusiasm for the 10-minute massages. 

“I think the massage therapists are the backbone of Relaxapalooza. They are doing the work that no one else is willing to do. Relaxapalooza is a worthy investment of the space that we have at this school and some of our money,” said Sandra Sheedy, a junior visual media arts student after her massage. 

“Shout out to my massage therapist Minnie. I would book with her and Relaxapalooza again. Relaxapalooza changed my life for the better,” she said.