Welcome to Wellness

Planning a sweet spring break trip?

TOP 10 TIPS FOR A SAFE SPRING BREAK

1. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 at least). Do you want to spend all but the first day of your vacation in pain looking like an oh-so-cool lobster?  Not to mention that pesky skin cancer thing…
2. Before heading out for a night of partying designate a sober driver to get everyone home safely or get the number for a reputable taxi service from your hotel.
3. Don’t put your drink down or leave it unattended.
4. Use the buddy system – don’t leave friends behind at a party or bar at the end of the night.  Also, if if a friend feels sick or passes out don’t leave them alone.  Watch for signs of alcohol poisoning and call 911 if you friend is unconscious or semiconscious; breathing less than 10x a minute; has cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin; can’t be woken with pinching, prodding, shouting; or vomits without waking up.
5. Make sure your cool new shades filter out the sun’s UV rays.
6. If you choose to drink alcohol set a limit and stick to it.  One drink an hour, interchanging alcohol with other beverages.
7. Drink lots of water. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no fun on vacation.  Alcohol will dehydrate your body so drink lots of water to stay cool in the heat if you decide to drink.
8. Know the drinking laws at your travel destination. You can ask your travel agent for this information or check the links at www.safespringbreak.org.
9. Make sure that your family and friends know your departure and arrival times, where you are staying, and the phones numbers of where to reach you (you might not get cell service at your destination). Set regular check-in times and always follow-through with them.

 Hopefully, these tips will help you have a fun, yet safe, spring break trip.  Above all else, just try to enjoy your time away from school because it won’t be long before you are back to the daily grind of writing papers, taking tests, and reading page after page of boring college textbooks.  Good times.

 

Love Your Body!

Check out the events for LOVE YOUR BODY Month!!

 Thursday, 2/21                  Don’t Weigh your Self-Esteem                   Outside of 63’s

Friday, 2/22                        11:30am-1:30pm

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Monday, 2/25                    Don’t Weigh your Self-Esteem                   Linda’s

                                                   11:30am-1:30pm

 Monday, 2/25                    Healthy Eating Screenings                         Seton and Merton Hall Lobbies

                                                    5pm-6pm

 Monday, 2/25                      Nutrition for Performance                           UC Auditorium

                                                    For female athletes                                       

                                                    Dr. Beau Greer

                                                    7pm-8pm

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Tuesday, 2/26                 Your Diet is Making you Fat                         Edgerton Theater

                                                Melanie Jatsek, RD

                                                7:45pm

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Wednesday, 2/27            How do you help a friend in need             Outside of 63’s

                                                Active Minds

                                                11am-2pm

  Wednesday, 2/27         Love Your Body                                                 Roncalli Hall—9^th floor

                                                6:30pm

 Wednesday, 2/27          Active Minds fundraiser                                  Pinkberry

                                                6pm-10pm

 Love Your Body month is co-sponsored by the Body image Task Force, the Social Work Club, Health Sciences Club, Residential Life, s.w.e.e.t., Kappa Delta, SATO, Active Minds and Chartwells Dining.

How to Survive Valentine's Day

There is a lot of advice out there on how to get the perfect gift, on how to make your sweetheart happy.  But what about those of us that don’t have that special someone?  Here are a few tips for the single people on how to survive the most “romantic” day of the year:

  Call  a friend or relative whom you are close to, but have not had a chance to talk to in a while, and wish him a Happy Valentine's Day. You will be reminded of the people in your life who always stand by you.

  Celebrate the fact that you are no longer in a bad relationship. If you recently broke up with someone, the chances are good that you were in a poor relationship. Couples always break up for a reason. You might have been treated poorly, or perhaps the relationship brought out the worst in you. Let go of the sorrow and embrace the fact that you are now open to a good relationship when the opportunity comes around.

  Host a singles-only gathering with single family members, friends and co-workers. Invite a few single friends over for a nice dinner and movie or game night. Having a get-together with other singles will remind you that you are not the only person who is not in a relationship. You can all get through the holiday of love by providing support for one another and enjoying a fun evening.

  Take time to decide if you are ready to look for a relationship. Ask yourself if you are single because you have been unable to find someone to date, or if you like living the single life. Consider whether you often find yourself longing to be in a relationship, or only when Valentine's Day and other holidays roll around. If it's the latter, you might not really want a relationship. Follow your heart, engage in some self-reflection and you will be able to determine if it's time to start looking for someone new.

  Spoil yourself for a change. If you are like most people, you devote your time and energy to everyone and everything while neglecting yourself. Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to appreciate yourself and all you do for others. You do not need to buy yourself traditional Valentine's Day goodies and products. Treat yourself to that sweater you have been admiring at the mall or that new CD you have been meaning to buy. Order in some dinner on Valentine's Day and take a few hours off to pamper yourself.

And if these tips don’t work, if you are feeling more alone and isolated than you would expect, please make an appointment to see one of the counselors at the Wellness Center. 

Not Getting Enough Light in Your Life?

Those “winter blues” are real. In fact recent studies report more depression, anxiety, hostility, anger and irritability in winter than any other season. Light is an important part of your environment and can have a major impact on your overall well-being. Transitory low periods are not serious; prolonged periods of feeling distressed are.

So what is the difference between "the blues" and a more serious case of depression? When feelings of sadness and loss don't go away, it’s possible depression has set in. Depression manifests itself in many ways. Sometimes the ways are outwardly obvious, sometimes not. Depression occurs when a person's feelings of despair, hopelessness and sadness extend for two weeks or more. When such feelings begin to impact school, sleeping, eating, socializing or physical well-being, it's time to get help. Unfortunately, those with depression tend to isolate themselves. There’s no reason to suffer when help is available right on campus at our Counseling Center. And seek help immediately if you feel suicidal or feel you might harm yourself.

Also try to exercise, eat properly, and minimize caffeine and other foods that interfere with restful sleep. Avoid alcohol (a depressant) and non-prescribed drugs. They may provide a temporary "high," but actually exacerbate depression. The winter can be an enjoyable time if we remain aware of our needs and seek appropriate assistance when it's warranted. In the meantime, take a walk, even on those gray, dreary, and cold days. You will feel better for it!