The Wellness Lounge has three study rooms you can book! Read up on them and book them below.
Please note: You will need your uOttawa Card to access your study room. These study rooms are reserved for current uOttawa students.
Wellness Lounge
Pass by the Wellness Lounge to get support from peers, take a break, hang out with friends, and play games.
What is the Wellness Lounge?
The Wellness Lounge is a place where you can relax, have fun, meet other students, and play games. You can also study at the Wellness Lounge!
It's also a judgment free space open to all students looking to chat with a peer helper. Every weekday, peer wellness helpers are in the Wellness Lounge, ready to listen, hear your concerns, and chat with you. They are familiar with on- and off-campus resources related to health and wellness and will be able to direct you if you need help.
On a recurring basis, wellness-focused activities take place in the Wellness Lounge to help you find balance. These activities are all free; you can come every week or drop-in occasionally, as you want. It is a safe space that is there for you to use and make your own.
Check out all the activities and events below!
Wellness Study Rooms
Light therapy room
Want to study in a cozy environment and fight the winter blues all at once? The Light therapy room is the ideal space for you to get some work done while boosting your mood!
Plant room
Did you know that exposure to greenery can improve wellness, focus, and productivity? Study in the Plant room to optimize both your health and your academic success. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Activities and Events
Wellness workshop series
The Peer Wellness Program offers a variety of drop-in, wellness-themed workshops on topics related to substance use health and addictions, sexual and reproductive health, nutritional and physical health, mental and emotional health, and population health.
These workshops are interactive, wellness-focused and designed by uOttawa students, for uOttawa students!
Virtual reality (VR) and wellness gaming
Did you know that virtual reality has been shown to improve mental wellness and decrease stress, depression, and anxiety?
Drop by the Wellness Lounge during our operating hours to try it out! Come solo or bring a friend (or two!).
Therapy dog sessions
Did you know? Studies have shown that a friendly interaction with an animal (e.g., petting) helps:
- lower blood pressure
- reduce overall pain
- ease feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and homesickness
Come spend some time with the therapy dogs at the Wellness Lounge! Drop-in spots are limited. Secure your spot by making your reservation!
Artwork contest
No purchase necessary. A maximum of 25 pieces of art will be accepted in this contest on a first-come, first-served basis. All approved art pieces must be dropped off at the Wellness Lounge (UCU 205) before April 10, 2026, at 4 p.m. Three prizes are available to be won: one C$100 gift card for the retailer of the winner’s choice; a seasonal affective disorder (SAD) light therapy lamp, valued at C$50; and one Build-A-Bear teddy bear, valued at C$30.
Open to current University of Ottawa students not employed or compensated by the University at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received before the contest closes. Limit of one entry per person. The contest starts at midnight on Monday, January 26, and closes on Friday, April 10, at 4 p.m. The winners will be chosen by random draw starting Monday, April 13, and contacted by Tuesday, April 14, at 4 p.m. The personal information collected remains confidential and will be used only for the purposes of this contest, as stipulated by the Student Affairs contests and giveaway rules. See the full rules and entry details.
Find a listening ear
Peer support is a great way to speak to someone who can relate to the challenges you may be facing. Our peer helpers are familiar with the challenges of university life. They often study in fields like medicine, psychology, or social work, and are trained to listen and provide informal emotional support.
Hours of operation
Wellness Lounge (UCU203)
- 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday (From September 2025 to April 2026)
Reduced Hours (From September 2025 to April 2026)
12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
In effect for:
- Official study day and exam period: Wednesday, December 3rd to Monday, December 22, 2025 (inclusive)
- Transition Period: Monday, January 5th to Friday, January 9th, 2026 (inclusive)
- Reading Week: Tuesday, February 17th to Friday, February 20th, 2026 (inclusive)
- Official study day and exam period: Monday, April 16th to Thursday, April 30th, 2026 (inclusive)
Closures
The Wellness Lounge will be closed in the Spring/Summer term as of May 1, 2026. Services will resume in Fall 2026.
Wellness Lounge (90U)
(From September 2025 to April 2026)
- 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Monday – Friday
- 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday
Closures
The Wellness Lounge will be closed in the Spring/Summer term as of May 1, 2026. Services will resume in Fall 2026.