Health and Wellness
A healthy body is vital for a healthy mind. As Dave Ellis reminds us in Becoming a Master Student, “to house our mind and soul, we have a body—a fantastic machine” (332-59). To take care of it, you need to …
• Fuel it! Use accepted dietary guidelines, avoid fad diets, and limit fast food.
• Move it! Keep exercise enjoyable and do it an hour a day. (Taking the stairs and walking to class with purpose count!)
• Rest it! Your brain needs sleep to learn, and your body needs sleep to recover. To sleep soundly, exercise daily, avoid naps, limit caffeine, have a regular sleep routine, and see a doctor if you have sleep problems.
• Observe it! Pay attention to changes in your health, respond appropriately, and you can avoid small problems becoming serious ones.
• Protect it! Yes, cooties are real, so avoid unprotected sex, know and recognize symptoms of STD’s, avoid injecting illegal drugs, and don’t use illegal drugs or any medication not prescribed for you. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Also protect yourself against high-risk activities that may lead to accidents.
• Keep it in balance! Manage your stress for yourself and your school work. Did you know that stress is the #1 factor affecting academic success for WashU students? Free Stress Management Workshops are available each semester. For more information, contact wellness@wustl.edu or go to http://shs.wustl.edu/healthPromotion/stressFinal.htm.
The following resources are here for you at WashU. See the Student Health Services web site at http://shs.wustl.edu/index.html:
• Medical Services—including information on how to live with serious or chronic illness
• Mental Health Services—including free counseling sessions!
• Health Promotion Services—issues include Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs -- Coming Out -- Gambling -- Mental Health (stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems)-- Nutrition, Weight, Physical Activity and Body Image -- Physical Health -- Relationships and Sexual Health -- Violence
• Student Involvement—opportunities to join the Student Health Advisory Committee –SHAC - your undergraduate student group working on health issues, and other issue-specific groups. Contact Melissa Ruwitch at mruwitch[at]wustl.edu or 314-935-7139.
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