Staying healthy, with tips from SHAC

Health goes far beyond just avoiding the flu. And on a college campus, there are more hazards to your health than you may even be aware of. Janice Mcbee from the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) gave me a thorough briefing of some of the often-overlooked perils of health that many of us aren’t even aware of.

Remember that if you ever feel your health may be waning, or you simply desire a check-up, SHAC offers testing and treatment for anything from dental checkups to mental health counseling. With widespread medical support resources for help beyond campus to boot!

SHAC boasts an in-house laboratory for fast turnaround on test results and four on-staff doctors to handle X-rays, checkups and counseling—all flanked by a team of nurses to answer questions and concerns. There is even a mental health department where students can get counseling or help from a psychologist, and a dental facility where you can get your teeth cleaned. Students are encouraged to take advantage of SHAC resources.

Eating too much junk

While it may seem cliché and obvious, there is a point where eating too much unhealthy food can begin to have more than the obvious adverse affects on your health. In addition to weight gain, mood swings are a known result of improper eating. So use your meager food budget wisely—perhaps buy some oranges.

Hand washing

You think that the bathroom is the only place that has dirty door handles? Guess again. A college campus, like any public installation, has door handles that countless hands touch each day, phones that hundreds of mouths breath on and countless desks and chairs that we all have taken a much-needed nap in. Carry hand sanitizer and wash frequently to help keep yourself protected from contamination.

Good sleep

Sleep is how we recharge our bodies—sometime in the night, the magical mystery of sleep just gasses our engine in a way only sleep can. Not only does it revitalize us mentally and physically, it can also help us relieve stress. Although six hours is the recommended amount of sleep, most of us have odd sleep patterns that range from four to 10 hours per night. Find a schedule that fits you best, and sleep in once in a while.

Exercise

Not everyone has time to hit up the gym three times a week, or even once a term. But it’s not even necessary to do that. While it is encouraged that a person get 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day, just walking around for 10 minutes two or three times per day is better than nothing. And if you really want to get healthy, take advantage of the new Academic and Student Recreation Center. It’s free!

Headphones

In the words of Chuck Palahniuk, we are addicted to music, and most of us would agree—it’s the best addiction. But take warning, constant exposure to high volume piped directly into your ear can cause damage over time that will be irreversible. Try to keep tabs on how loud your headphones or ear buds are. If you do think your hearing is troubled, a student can get a free evaluation from the Audiology Clinic with a referral from SHAC.

Alcohol

Drinking in moderation won’t hurt you, and getting blasted every now and then won’t either. But drink with friends if you’re new to alcohol, and find out if your family has any history of alcoholism. Getting drunk can also imbalance your diet and cause you to lose your appetite, so be sure to eat plenty and drink water.

Housing hazards

Do you live on campus? Don’t walk around barefoot if you can avoid it. Dorm floors are full of countless bacteria and viruses that can make you sick, and they can penetrate your socks too, footwear is important if you live on campus. If you have to share showers, wear flip flops to avoid getting athlete’s foot.

Sunshine

When sunlight hits your skin, vitamin D is produced, an important nutrient the body needs to maintain itself. Open a window and let the sun and fresh air in. Sunlight and fresh air can also improve your mood and relieve stress. Fresh air is also good for your lungs and mood.

Hygiene

How often do you shower? Once a day should be close to your answer. Showering cleans out clogged pores and washes away bacteria and viruses that cause disgusting body odors and infections. Keeping clean can also help you improve your social situation. For some cultures, frequent bathing is not the norm. If a friend of yours smells like a jockstrap, be sensitive to cultural differences when bringing up the subject of bathing.

Dental health

Get your teeth cleaned: Nothing says you love yourself like a mouth free of cavities and gingivitis. Fresh breath and freedom from tooth decay is a winning combination. With such busy schedules sometimes we forget to take care of our pearly (or coffee-stained) teeth. Take advantage of SHAC’s dental facilities and let the friendly staff clean you up!

Heavy loads

We all have books, binders and countless papers for our classes, and some have to carry instruments and tools. But try to balance out your load to carrying only what you need when you need it. Your body will let you know when it has too much weight on it, you will feel discomfort or pain. Give yourself a break, and save yourself a trip to the chiropractor.