Kelsey Degouveia

What’s a random fact about you that most people don’t know? 

My family and I grow grapes and have been making wine my entire life! 

What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday morning? 

An ideal Saturday morning for me would be a nice long walk with my husband and our dog Donut, followed by binging some ‘Food Network’ on the couch with coffee. 

How do you incorporate gratitude into your routine? 

I have a daily gratitude journal with fun prompts that has been really helpful in noticing a lot of the smaller things in life that I’m grateful for! I feel like this has been a game changer in motivating me to take a few minutes at the end of the day to be grateful, especially on tough days when it feels too overwhelming to practice gratitude on a bigger scale. 

What’s a habit or ritual you look forward to every day? 

About half-way through third-year I started waking up about 30 minutes earlier than usual to give myself a slower morning. It has truly been a game changer for feeling more awake and prepared to start my day when I take some time to relax on the couch with coffee and read/watch TV before starting a busy day! 

What’s a self-care habit you swear by? 

Ending the night with a cute PJ set, a book, and a cup of tea with lots of honey!

Dean B. Star Hampton

What’s your favorite season and why? 

Easily Summer – in fact I named my youngest daughter Summer because I love everything that the season represents and the feelings it brings out: warmth, ease, happiness. It doesn’t get any better than flip flops and sundresses, long days, warm evenings, and ice cream cones. I am an absolute ocean and beach lover which is why Rhode Island – the Ocean State – is the perfect place for me. 

What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood? 

This one is hard – I love music – especially the emotions and memories that certain songs can kick up. Right now my girls are still Taylor Swift fans – and I am from New York, so I love listening (and singing to) to “Welcome to New York” whenever we drive down and start approaching the City. Fun fact also is that the acoustic version was our surprise song when we saw Taylor in concert last year. 

What’s your favorite healthy meal or snack? 

I love having overnight oats for breakfast – they are so easy to prepare, awesome to eat at home or take with me in a to-go container, and are super healthy. I usually prepare a week’s worth over the weekend in daily containers. My favorite formula is oats, chia seeds, milk, yogurt, cardamom, cinnamon and berries. So delicious, easy and satisfying! 

What’s your favorite indulgence when you need a pick-me-up? 

Dark chocolate! And the darker the better. Students that have been to my office know that I have a dish on my table. But I also always have some dark chocolate with me. I don’t need a lot, but it always satisfies my craving and picks me up! 

How do you stay consistent with your wellness habits when life gets busy? 

Prioritize. There is nothing more important than staying healthy – both mentally and physically – so I can be productive and effective in both my personal and professional life. There is time - you need to find it though. I wake up pretty early to work out every day so I can be with my family in the evenings, and my husband and I prioritize family dinner together with our girls. Scheduling date night is important too…whether it is with a partner or friend, being intentional about making time for people in your life is critical.