Welcome to Wellness

TRICK OR s.w.e.e.t!!

Halloween is here!  Whether you celebrate by watching crazy scary movies, indulging in way too many Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or creating the most outrageous costume ever, it can be a lot of fun.  While many SHU students might be heading out as Snooki & the Situation, they don’t need to wind up with Jersey Shore-style drama from too much drinking.  For those of you who do choose to drink this Halloween weekend, here are some tips from your s.w.e.e.t. peer educators for having a good time & staying safe.

• Eat before you drink – real food please, not just candy! 
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks – this can help you pace your drinks and keep you hydrated
• Stop drinking at a predetermined time
• Shots – really not a good idea
• Avoid mixing different types of alcohol
• Drink slowly/don’t chug – this means passing up the drinking games
• Avoid trying to keep up with friends
• Use a designated driver
• Know where your drink is at all times – pour it yourself or watch the bartender do it
• Set a drinking limit before you go out or pre-game
• Before you go out , make a plan with your friends about how you will get home at the end of the night – do not leave anyone behind 
• Elect someone to be the designated non-drinker for the night to keep an eye on things
• Do not drink more than 1.5 oz of alcohol in an hour (this = one 12 oz can of beer, one shot of 89 proof hard liquor, or one 4 oz glass of wine).  Your liver can’t work any faster than that!
• Remember that once your BAC reaches about a .07, feelings of euphoria give way to a deterioration of mood and a whole bunch of other not so good stuff.  Check out this link to see what happens at different BACs, and get a general idea of your BAC based on your weight & gender.   http://oade.nd.edu/educate-yourself-alcohol/blood-alcohol-concentration/

Happy Halloween!

 

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week

 

This week is National Collegiate Alcohol awareness Week!

Here are some things you should know…      

Although, most Sacred Heart Students set limits and choose to drink responsibly, some will drink too much in a short period of time. This can result in a fatal overdose of alcohol. A transport to the hospital for Alcohol is a medical emergency! Here are some things to look out for.

The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

• Person is known to have consumed large quantities of alcohol

• Person is unconscious and cannot be awakened

• Person has cold, clammy, unusually pale or bluish skin

• Person is breathing slowly or irregularly, less than 8 times a minute or 10 seconds or more between breaths

• Person vomits while passed out and does not wake up during or after

 

Steps to Taking Action

1. Try to wake the person. Try to wake the person every 15 minutes. If they cannot be wakened, or they are disoriented, confused . Call public safety or 911 for immediate assistance.

2. Check the person's breathing. Evaluate if the person has slow or irregular breaths If so, call for medical assistance

3. Turn the person on his/her side to prevent choking. If they are not conscious or barely able to wake up, we begin by making sure they don't choke on their vomit.. Putting the person on their left side will slow the delivery of alcohol to the small intestine and also allows more air to surface from the right lung. This way, if they do throw up, the vomit will have a better chance of coming out.

4. Do not leave the person alone. Although it might be inconvenient, it is important to stay with someone who is extremely drunk and barely conscious. Continue to monitor their breathing, responsiveness, skin and lip color, etc. If their skin or lips are turning blue get immediate medical help.

5. If any of signs of alcohol poisoning exist, call public safety extension 7995, or 911 immediately. Hesitating can mean the difference between life and death.

 

Health Fair Today!

Sickness is upon us! Volume is high so it may be difficult to get an appointment at health services--call early in the day.  If you can’t get an appointment remember the Urgent Health Care center of St. Vincent’s is on the shuttle route across form Stop and Shop, on Main Street.

It’s time to get your FLU vaccine.   

The vaccines are available by appointment at the  Student Health Center for $20.00. 

We will be vaccinating today during the October 13^th SHU Health Fair in University Commons from 11:00am until 2:00pm.

Remember it is important to get vaccinated.  The FLU can knock you out for an extended period of time and also leave you vulnerable to other more severe illness.

Please follow our updates on our website, and we will keep you posted with interesting Healthworthy notifications.  Enjoy the Fall--before you know it winter and snow will be here.
Stay well!

Feeling Blue?

Feeling overwhelmed?  Worried?  Blue?  Thursday, October 6^th is National Depression Screening Day and The Wellness Center-Counseling is offering a free, anonymous depression/anxiety/mood disorder screening.  The screening will take place from 11am-2pm in two locations:  the Pitt Center and University Commons.  You do not need an appointment--just show up anytime between 11am-2pm.  The screening itself only takes a few minutes to fill out.  It will be scored and the results shared with you right on the spot. 

 If you are feeling depressed or anxious, here are a few tips for improving your mood.

1. REDUCE alcohol or drugs—alcohol is a depressant and can negatively impact your mood.
2. SLEEP at least 7 hours nightly.
3. EXERCISE 20-30 minutes as often as you can.
4. TALK to a good friend or a counselor about what you are feeling.
5. EAT WELL—avoid caffeine and eat more whole grains, fruits & vegetables.

 If you find your depression or anxiety worsening, click on the following link to get an appointment at the Counseling Center.   https://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/2852_contact_us_form.cfm . 

Be Well!