Editorial
Stay healthy during spring semester
February 21, 2014
Snow is falling, temperatures are drastically fluctuating from 40 degrees to 30 below zero and it is the season for coughing, sneezing and sore throats.
As victims to the common cold, sore throats, flu and other oh-so-enjoyable illnesses, we would like to remind students who have fallen ill to take advantage of the assistance that Student Health and Counseling Services provide as well as excellent tips on staying healthy.
In Student Heath and Counseling Services you can find a wall of pamphlets about common health concerns that students may have. There is also a table with free get-well bags filled with cough drops, Kleenexes, pain reliever packets, disposable thermometers and other essential items needed when feeling under the weather. The get-well bags are great for students and it is great to keep in a backpack or purse for quick relief of illness.
The website for Student Health and Counseling Services is also a great resource for students to turn to when they are feeling under the weather. It is full of resources on where to go for a wide range of physical and mental health needs. A taxi ride to and from the clinic is free to students with a student ID as well.
The River Falls Medical Clinic also offers a long list of services provided to UW-River Falls students. These services include basic office and psychiatrist visits, throat cultures, allergy injection and much more. Vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, influenza and more are available as well. For a complete list of services offered visit the Student Health Services office or website.
Another tip for staying healthy during the winter season is to get enough sleep. As college students, the stress of busy schedules and assignments can be overwhelming which causes the amount of sleep we are able to get to dwindle. Try to remember that if you are jeopardizing your sleep, you will be increasing your chance of weakening your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to getting unwanted illnesses.
As difficult as it may be with a busy schedule, eating healthy is also a good way to keep your health in check. Rather than turning to the beloved pizza slices and French fries to fill your belly, pick up something with a higher nutritional value such as fruit or a salad.
It is not always easy to avoid the illnesses when living in a tight community such as a residence hall, especially when there is a limited amount of space to keep the germs away. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.
We encourage students to take these tips and use the free and low cost resources that are available to them to stay healthy.