Health Corner: Grief and Healing

BY MARGIE THOMSON
For the UAS Whalesong

As a member of the UAS Community, you may have been impacted by tragic news of recent deaths and loss. Our most recent passing of student, Reed McWilliams, who suddenly passed away last weekend, can bring a host of grief and loss feelings including, shock and disbelief, sadness, anger, fear, physical symptoms and even guilt. This is an important time to take care of yourself while you begin the healing process.

Recovering from grief and loss is a normal process and important in dealing with the thoughts and feelings you experience when someone you love and care about dies. It is a necessary, although painful, part of the grief process. Continue reading “Health Corner: Grief and Healing”

Health Corner: Relationships

BY SARALYN TABACHNICK
For the UAS Whalesong

Relationships are everywhere, and we know how important they are. Yet it seems we most often look outside for relationships, external to ourselves. At AWARE, we believe the most important relationship you have is with yourself. Your relationships with your family, your Higher Power, your partner, your friends, your teachers- all these are critically important. Yet we recognize how you relate to yourself as most important.  Continue reading “Health Corner: Relationships”

Health Corner: Let’s Talk about HPV

BY CORI STENNETT
For the UAS Whalesong

HPV, or the Human Papillomavirus, is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Google it and you’ll easily find an array of information, which can sometimes overlap and cause a bit of confusion in regards to how prevalent it is. According to the CDC, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. Other sources state more specific numbers, such as 80% of sexually active people are likely to contract HPV and close to 80 million Americans are currently infected. Either way, we’re talking about a lot of people! Continue reading “Health Corner: Let’s Talk about HPV”

Health Corner: Wi-Fi and Wellness

BY KRISTINA MOORE
For the UAS Whalesong

A couple of years back I completed a pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago (a.k.a. The Way of St. James). I spent a month in Europe backpacking across northern Spain, sleeping in hostels at night, and contemplating the meaning of my life in the great space of the world.

On that journey I did have several life-changing moments of clarity, which helped me step onto my current path. But the most enriching part of that journey was the first week, when I realized that asking for the Wi-Fi password would garner me looks of puzzlement – there is no Wi-Fi in rural Spain. Continue reading “Health Corner: Wi-Fi and Wellness”

Health Corner: Smoking vs. Vaping

BY LEAH TODD
For the UAS Whalesong

After six months of tobacco-free policy implementation at UAS, students and staff have noted an absence of smoke-filled air surrounding the entryways to buildings. They no longer smell smoke filtering in through windows and ventilation systems. Many students have reported experiencing easier breathing and less respiratory irritation. But some students want to know about e-cigarettes. Aren’t they the safer alternative? Continue reading “Health Corner: Smoking vs. Vaping”

Can Food Affect your Mood?

BY BECKY IVERSON
For the UAS Whalesong

Eating healthy foods can make a big difference in how you feel. Here are several tips on how to eat right and improve your chances of avoiding the effects of SAD, (Seasonal Affective Disorder), and related depression: Continue reading “Can Food Affect your Mood?”

What to Do if You Have the Flu

BY AMANDA ARRA
For the UAS Whalesong

Do you have a fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, headache and nausea? If so, you may have the flu. “Flu” is short for influenza, which is an illness caused by viruses of the same name. The viruses that cause the flu are constantly changing, which is why the flu shot must be given every year. The immunity that you develop to the flu virus one year will not help you the next year because that virus has changed its identity or an entirely new flu virus has arrived in your community. Continue reading “What to Do if You Have the Flu”

Health Corner: Organize your Schoolwork

BY Mackenzie Parker
For the UAS Whalesong

Stress can slow you down in many aspects of your life. As a student, it can affect your schoolwork. How you can reduce stress in your life is by changing small actions that you do as a student. Here are five suggestions: Continue reading “Health Corner: Organize your Schoolwork”

Health Corner: Exercise

BY FRANCES POLUMSKY
For the UAS Whalesong

Exercise benefits mind and body. Did you know aerobic exercise improves cognitive function, and changes brain structure? Studies have shown there is a clear connection between exercise and cognitive performance: the more aerobic exercise the individuals engaged in, the better they performed on verbal, perceptual and mathematical tests. Research results also found aerobic training improved cognitive performance and active lifestyles decreased age-related risks for cognitive impairment and dementia. (Colcombe & Kramer 2003). Improving cardio vascular performance has a positive impact on health related factors. Continue reading “Health Corner: Exercise”

Health Corner: Coping with Stress

BY KRISTINA MOORE
For the UAS Whalesong
Stress is a natural part of life and affects all college students to some degree. However, today’s college students have more external responsibilities than ever before. Today, more than half of college students hold full or part time jobs on top of rigorous academic responsibilities. Common stressors in college life:
-Being away from home, perhaps for the first time
-Changes in family and social life
-Financial responsibilities
-Exposure to new people and experiences
-Substance use
-Increasing awareness of one’s sexual identity and orientation
Stress impacts us physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It can cause exhaustion and illness and can make us more prone to accidents. It can also lead to chronic absences, trouble keeping up with deadlines, and a drop in grades. Do you recognize signs of stress in your life? Continue reading “Health Corner: Coping with Stress”