Welcome to Wellness

Home Sweet Home!

That last final is completed and you are looking forward to a long, restful semester break. This is going to be great! At least in theory. While college students are more connected with their families than ever, some things have changed.

• Have you gotten accustomed to staying up until 4 or 5 a.m. with nobody telling you when to go to bed?
• Are you now used to coming and going as you please, without being asked where you are going, when you are coming back, and who you will be with?
• Is your room a comfortable mess, just the way you like it? Are you glad you're not being nagged about cleaning up?
Now you are going home for the longest stretch of time since arriving at school and the lifestyle changes of campus may not be welcomed at home.

So how can you avoid this? Talk to your parents about their expectations and know that the compromise might have to be on your part. Share the plans you have already made for this break with your family and ask what plans “they have made for you.” Although your parents may be among your best friends, there are other friends you haven’t seen in a long time so making plans with those friends ahead of time could prove valuable.

Since you and your friends are at different schools, you all have changed. You may struggle to reconnect with some of those friends that you were so close to during senior year because of those changes. Recognize this and again communicating about these changes will help to forge new bonds.

Meanwhile, get plenty of rest, enjoy all the treats of home, get some exercise and know that in about a month you will be back to your own newfound freedom. Happy Holidays.

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Is Stress Getting You Down?

It’s that crazy time of year again!  Are we talking about the holiday season, you wonder?  No, finals week at SHU, of course!  As everyone gears up for the final stretch of papers, projects and exams, we thought we’d share a few tips for avoiding total burnout.  Remember – all stress is not all bad.  It can motivate us to achieve great things (including actually finishing that paper)!  Stress management is a skill that can be learned; whether you are naturally laid back or kind of wound tight.

Our top 3 stress management skills are time management skills

1. Organize – sit down with all of your syllabi and make a comprehensive to do list of your assignments and exams (just writing it all down might help lessen that feeling of mental overload).
2. Prioritize – Which items on your list require the most time and effort?  When are the due dates? Which class do you really need to do well in?  Give some thought to which items need to go to the top of your list.
3. Create a plan/schedule – What is your peak time of your day, when you have the most energy and focus?  Use it to your advantage.  Break down your day to include meetings, work, practices, tasks of daily life, commuting, etc.  (Remember - this level of micromanaging your time is only temporary)   Take it from us - make time for something fun or relaxing every day to avoid the bad burnout place.  And stay flexible because life happens.

Beware of time stealers!  This could be constant attention to Facebook/twitter/texting, socializing, a messy room & desk, watching TV, an inability to say “no”….there are many ways our time seems to disappear.   You all know what your favorite way to waste time is – just try to avoid getting sucked in and limit that behavior in between now and the end of the semester.

What coping skill works for you?  Venting to friends?  Getting in a good work out?  Listening to music?  Relaxation or breathing apps on your phone?  Power naps?  Whatever it is, do it!  Taking care of yourself is crucial during times of high stress.  When you are feeling overwhelmed use healthy coping skills to hit the reset button.

And don’t forget to stop by the s.w.e.e.t. (student wellness education & empowerment team) peer educators’  STRESS FREE ZONE on Weds. Dec. 7^th from 12 – 5 pm in the old chapel!  Take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to relax and enjoy some free goodies.  Good luck on finals, everyone!

 

 

 

 

Healthy Eating during the holidays

 

Ah yes, the holidays…a joyous time…a social time…a time for….well you know….lots of opportunity to eat.  Which leads us to January and  “Uh Oh”.

So, let’s wind back to today. The next few weeks may present more opportunities to nibble.

What to do?

First of all, get real. This is not the time to try to lose weight.

Goal  one: avoid weight gain if you are of normal weight or overweight.

Keep eating your meals. Skipping meals in anticipation of a party or event never works. It helps you fool yourself into thinking it’s ok to eat half a bowl of dip and fried somethings.

Increase fruits and vegetables. They’ll fill you up and satisfy the nibbler. Just go easy on the dips or dressings.  A little goes a long way.

Know your pitfalls:   By all meals indulge a little but not all the time and not on everything.

Skip the chips, go for the shrimp. Choose one dessert. You don’t need all five.

Learn to take a sample not a full portion if you want to try many things.

Keep active. Now, I’m not speaking about 3 hours at the gym but maintain some level of connection with activity and the outdoors. It is very grounding and helps you manage your stress.

Watch the beverages too. Eggnogs, drinks, hot cocoa and soda are plentiful. Easy does it!

Enjoy the festivities, the people around you, the meaning of the holidays. Yes, food is an important part of our cultural and family traditions but not the only reason we celebrate.  Give yourself permission to celebrate the holiday in a healthy, mindful way. Celebrate the season.  Be well!