Take a look at the staff who are a well-th of knowledge when it comes to student health and happiness. BY JENNIFER MALECHA For the UAS Whalesong College life has its ups and downs. Juggling classes, homework, social obligations, work, and family can get tricky. Throw in a few added stressors like the flu, homesickness, an “F” on an exam, relationship difficulties, and lack of … Continue reading Meet your UAS Wellness Team
BY ADELLE LaBRECQUE
Staff Writer, UAS Whalesong
Aloha, Readers!
Perhaps it’s from the upcoming Hawaii trip I’m taking, or maybe it’s my body’s way of telling me to stop eating my weight in pasta, but for whatever reason, I keep feeling as if I can’t escape thoughts of “Healthier Nutrition” these days.
If you are someone who actively keeps up-to-date with diet fads, you’re already well aware of how often “healthy standards” are in-flux. Phrases like: “going paleo,” “eating clean,” and “gluten-free” are old news to you.
For some of us, upsetting feelings about food are directly related to a lack of discipline with unhealthy foods, making us feel insecure that we’re not in control of our diet. For others, it may be related to health problems that force us into strict, limited diets that in turn, make us feel even more anxious about foods and eating. And for others, it may be directly related to weight gain. If you constantly think to yourself, “I can’t have that because it will make me gain weight,” you are definitely not alone. Continue reading “A Liquid Experiment – Juicing!”
BY ADELLE LaBRECQUE
Staff Writer, UAS Whalesong
mind·ful·ness
noun: mindfulness
1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
“their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition”
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Aloha, readers. If by chance, you just quickly skimmed the above definition, (as we tend to do when writing appears to lack creativity—no offense, Google Dictionary!), I strongly encourage you to read it through once more, with added emphasis on the second definition. Continue reading “Mindfulness and the Power of Meditation”
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”
BY ANNELIESE MOLL
For the UAS Whalesong
As students, we all experience some degree of stress. How often and how severe the stress is can change, and is different from individual to individual, but it is still there nonetheless. Since it is still very early in the semester you might not be feeling it now. However, this time could be a key for you. By staying ahead with the readings and homework for your classes, you may be able to stay ahead of stress. Having a well established routine can impact how well you function when the going gets rough (as in your first round of midterms and eventually finals). Continue reading “Stress isn’t Actually That Bad For You”
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”
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”
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?”
BY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong
People often tell you that you should wait to enjoy something or that you should work hard before you let yourself just boondoggle – that you have to gain the right to something or earn it. But what they most often forget is that one’s mental health should come before anything else. If you’re not doing okay, then everything else in your life might suffer because of it. Instead, you should be enjoying life, (while being safe, admittedly) but not forgetting that you have wants and needs beyond education. You have to love yourself in equal turn. Continue reading “Take Care of Yourself!”
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”
