Well-Being Week

Representatives from various campus offices will be in Sexton Square to share information about available resources for our community.

Venue: Sexton Square

Park at the Founders' Memorial and meet the group in the Zayed Memorial Garden to start a Corniche walk with Azza Abouzied (Vice Provost of Faculty Advancement and Engagement) and Sarah Paul (Director of the Center for Faculty Advancement). This is an opportunity to network, learn more about NYUAD, Abu Dhabi, and see some of the local sights. We will stop for treats along the way..

Venue: Abu Dhabi Corniche
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An evening celebrating sports and athletic activities. The event will feature a structured agenda with warm-ups and engaging games for the NYUAD community, such as bubble football, tic-tac-toe, cornhole, hopscotch, Catch & Run, and a Tug-of-War finale. Electrolyte drinks will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles for sustainability. The event will conclude with distribution of light and energizing snacks around 9pm.

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Breathing, Being and Belonging is an experiential and interactive mindfulness session to cultivate a spirit of belonging through breathing and being in community together. The session will include a combination of guided mindfulness practices, reflective exercises, and group sharing through a restorative circle process, which will focus on being present and sharing together in community. Deriving from practices of Native Americans, First Nations, and indigenous people, the Circle Process allows for the formation of strong relationships, the honoring of voices, and the creation of unity. We will introduce the circle as a way of relating and connecting to create a space that is equitable, open, and honors every voice.

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Presented by Saman Hussain, Director of Global Diversity and Conflict Transformation

Join Miriam Murray, US Diplomat and Khawla Hammad, Founder and CEO at Takalam. Miriam will discuss achieving a work life balance as diplomat, mother, and artist. Khawla will share her insights as a start-up founder. They will provide tools to support professional and personal well-being and discuss modern-day challenges.

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Presented by: Miriam Murray, US Diplomat, and Khawla Hammad, Founder and CEO at Takalam

This Well-being Week, we’re bringing a baby grand piano to John Sexton Square, and it’s open for everyone to play — from beginners to virtuosos. Whether you want to share a full piece, experiment with a melody, or simply enjoy the music created by others, this is your moment. Let’s come together, spark joy, and fill the square with music and connection!

Venue: Sexton Square

Mindful Self-compassion (MSC), combines mindfulness and self-compassion to reduce stress, enhance emotional resilience, and improve overall well-being. This interactive workshop will guide participants through activities that develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-kindness in the face of challenges, fostering a resilient inner environment conducive to personal growth. Participants will learn practical MSC tools to implement into their daily routines.

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Presented by Yenushka Karunaratne, Assistant Director, Student Well-being

Bring your own mug and headphones (extras available) for a sustainable experience. Feel free to bring music, a book, or a yoga mat — this session is all about your personal meditation journey. We’ll provide tea, strainers, bean bags, and a tranquil space to unwind. Take some time off your busy schedule to meditate, reflect, and recharge. Library resources on meditation and wellness will also be available.

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Presented by Rengi Jacob, Associate Director, Library Administration and Access Services, and Amani Magid, Associate Academic Librarian for Engineering, AI Initiatives and Reference Services Coordinator.

Feeling overwhelmed? Drowning in to-dos and research? Learn how AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Napkin, Gamma, Suno, and more can be your tool for work, research, personal life, and well-being. Learn how to leverage AI tools to:

• Streamline administrative tasks
• Conduct research efficiently and effectively
• Prioritize well-being and reclaim your time for what matters most
• Leave with actionable strategies and the confidence to leverage AI to lighten your load. Also, a peek into the future of work and research!

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Presented by Chenyu Yi, Post-Graduation Research Fellow

The repetitive activity of crochet provides a distraction for the mind by focusing on the actions of your hands. This encourages participants to slow down and be more mindful of their body and themselves.

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Presented by Al Reem Al Hosani, Class Year Experience Specialist

This session aims to support working mothers by addressing common sources of guilt and stress while providing practical tools to achieve a healthier work-life balance. Participants will explore strategies to manage work deadlines and family commitments, establish boundaries, and prioritize well-being. Through real-life examples, interactive discussions, and actionable takeaways, the session fosters a supportive community where working mothers can share experiences, gain insights, and feel empowered in both their professional and personal lives.

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Presented by Lorena Hernandez, Assistant Director, Office of the Vice Provost, Wellbeing Ambassador
Guest Speaker, Theresa (Akua) Powell, Founder & CEO of Dream Catcher Global “Transforming lives through travel adventures and coaching”

Join an interactive and reflective conversation led by Work Life’s Assistant Vice Provost, Dr. Grace Cosachov Protos, and Assistant Director, Jack Osea, on enhancing NYU Abu Dhabi's workplace well-being and its members’ collective capacity to establish a more supportive workplace culture. The conversation will provide essential knowledge and practical approaches in an empowering session that focuses on intentionality. The workshop aims to equip participants to champion meaningful and sustainable improvements to their workplace culture.

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Presented by Grace Cosachov Protos, Assistant Vice Provost of Work Life, and Jack Osea, Assistant Director of the Work Life office

Join us for a joyful celebration of movement, music, and connection at our Silent Disco in John Sexton Square. Grab wireless headphones, dance freely, and sing your heart out under the open sky. This vibrant community event welcomes everyone — all ages, all dance levels, and all vibes. Let’s make the square come alive with music, laughter, and well-being!

Venue: Sexton Square

This session will encourage participants to come together as they collectively reflect and embrace failure as a natural part of growth, build resilience, while strengthening their problem-solving skills. The session offers interactive activities like journaling, a tower of trials challenge and dialogue that offer a refreshing perspective on "failing forward" in efforts to empower individuals in focusing on progress, learning, and growth rather than perfection. Participants will have opportunities to create authentic personal goals in redesigning their success using the ""failing forward"" mindset.

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Presented by Shanzae Ashar Siddiqui and Grace Pedroza, REACH — NYUAD’s peer support group

To explore the transformative practice of journaling, join this session where you'll learn how expressing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences on paper can foster self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a deeper understanding of your emotions. Regular journaling has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood, and a greater sense of clarity and purpose in life.

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Presented by Tina Wadhwa, Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Success, Residential Engagement and Well-being

Join us for a rejuvenating micro-retreat on the grassy knolls of NYUAD, where sound, movement, and mindful creativity come together to foster relaxation and well-being.

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Presented by Natasha Putnins, Director, Learning & Organizational Development and Tracy Lavin, Director, Engagement and Partnerships

Join our one-hour interactive workshop on Cool Food Pledge Awareness and Intentional Eating. Learn how your food choices affect both your well-being and the environment, and discover practical ways to adopt mindful, sustainable eating habits.

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Presented by Nadia Bornman, Campus Dietician

This guided meditation session will provide instructions for beginners and seasoned meditators, promoting relaxation, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.

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Presented by Sundar Pratap Singh, Founder of Open Circle Yoga

Practical Exercises
Physical: Gentle movements, stretching, and yoga poses to connect with and nurture the body.
Emotional: Breathing exercises to release tension and regulate emotions.
Mental: Mindfulness techniques to cultivate clarity and focus.

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Presented by Sundar Pratap Singh, Founder of Open Circle Yoga

Come learn the basics of knitting - which is a great way to unwind after a stressful day! After this one-hour session, you will walk away with your own knitting starter kit of needles and a ball of yarn, and a newfound appreciation for this handicraft.

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Presented by Caitlin Newsom, Assistant Director of Administration, Undergraduate Education

As part of the enriching In Dialogue: Hiwar حوار series at NYU Abu Dhabi, and in collaboration with the Staff Council and the Office of Inclusion and Equity, we introduce a unique and immersive experience: “Dinner with Strangers.” This initiative draws inspiration from the communal joy of sharing a meal, designed to strengthen the fabric of our diverse community through the simple yet profound act of dining together. We invite community members to join us in a reimagined conversation experience, aimed at sparking new connections and fostering meaningful dialog.

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This interactive workshop invites participants to explore the principles of intuitive eating while fostering a more mindful relationship with food. Through engaging activities like group discussions, and journaling, attendees will learn to recognize physical, mental, and emotional cues with hunger and satiety, and tips to make healthier choices that strengthen intentional and authentic eating habits. Designed for individuals seeking a healthier, more intentional approach to eating, this workshop is ideal for community members looking to make more mindful, value-driven choices in their nourishment journey

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Presented by Remy Shanker, Associate Director, Health Promotions

Yoga Nidra, often called "yogic sleep," is a practice of conscious relaxation that guides you into a state between waking and sleeping. In this deeply restorative practice, you rest comfortably while being guided through stages of releasing tension, and accessing a meditative state, accompanied with sound therapy this can be very powerful and transformative.

Yoga Nidra is accessible to all, requiring no prior experience. It calms the mind, relieves stress, and fosters deep healing.

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Presented by Clodagh Girvan, Assistant Director, Administrative Governance