Reboot Center to reopen after renovation on OSU-CHS campus

Monday, August 8, 2022

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the first floor of the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Medical Academic Building is the Reboot Center, a place for Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences students, staff and faculty as well as OSU Medicine residents to take a break from the stresses of school and work.

“The Reboot Center is designed to create an environment where mind, body and spirit can come together in a relaxing atmosphere,” said OSU-CHS Health and Wellness Manager Jesse Chaffin. “We have equipment and activities specifically designed to help our students and employees relax, unwind and unplug from whatever stress they may be encountering in their daily lives.”

The Reboot Center, located in Tandy 115, recently underwent a renovation, and will hold its grand re-opening on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 2-5 p.m. The center’s hours are 5 a.m. to midnight every day and anyone in the OSU-CHS family is welcome to use the space and its resources.

In its previous iteration, Chaffin said the Reboot Center utilized stress-reducing computer software and equipment that aimed to teach users breathing and calming techniques so when faced with a stressful event or situation, they could remember cues to remain calm, cool and collected under pressure. 

“The idea was great in theory, but the graphics and software were severely outdated and it never reached the utilization threshold we were looking for,” he said. “Once we realized our campus population wasn’t engaging, it was time for a change. We held multiple focus groups with both students and employees and ultimately landed on the design you see today.”

The renovated Reboot Center now offers several different opportunities for relaxation and stress reduction including energy pods, massage chairs and sensory play activities.

“These energy pods allow for a semi-private environment to rest your eyes and recharge your internal battery. Our massage chairs are equipped with multiple mechanisms to hit all those hard-to-reach trigger points,” he said. “And for sensory activities, we have kinetic sand, stress balls, fidget toys, coloring books, mazes, puzzles, and more. All these sensory play activities help the brain unplug from your daily stress and regain access to the present moment.”

According to student and employee data and studies, more than 50 percent of the OSU-CHS campus feels overwhelmed by stress, Chaffin said, so having a space dedicated to reducing stress and promoting relaxation is vital to mental health.

“There are many other studies that have shown that taking some time to unplug and recharge during the day improves alertness, learning, creativity and mood. Life is busy, stressful and many times unforgiving,” he said. “If we can have a space on campus that brings peace to someone’s life, allowing them to be purposefully present in the moment and not allow past or future stressors to enter their headspace, I’d say we’re moving in the right direction.”