Stay healthy! A guide to campus health resources

When it comes to staying healthy during college, students hold a lot of power right in their own two hands.

“Washing your hands – that’s probably number one,” says Elva Giddings, WWU’s director of Prevention and Wellness Services. “And getting enough sleep is essential for college students.”

And exercise is particularly important for stressed-out college students, because it can clear the mind and reduce anxiety, says Catharine Vader, a registered nurse who is WWU’s Wellness Outreach Center coordinator. Joining an intramural sport or taking a long walk with friends can be a good start.

Western provides a lot of help for students who want to stay healthy or learn more about health-related issues, from recreational sports clubs to peer health educators. Here are some resources to keep in mind:

• Lifestyle Advisors: These trained student volunteers provide peer counseling and public presentations on a variety of health and wellness issues, such as alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, body image, first aid and violence prevention. One popular program, for example, “Life of the Party,” helps students recognize and respond to an alcohol emergency.
• Ask the Doc: Students can anonymously submit health-related questions to professionals at the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center and Prevention and Wellness Services. Questions are typically answered within 24 hours and added to a searchable database.
• Wellness Outreach Center: Students can visit the center at Viking Union 432 for everything from cold and flu self-care packs and free condoms to sign-ups for CPR training and blood drives. A health and wellness lending library is also available.
• Meet the Dietitian: Registered dietitian Jill Kelly answers students’ questions about nutrition and health in one-on-one counseling sessions or questions submitted via the Web.
• Wade King Student Recreation Center: Student fees include access to the swimming pool, climbing wall and exercise equipment. For an additional fee, the quarterly Group X Passes offer unlimited access to classes, from beginning yoga to no-whiners-allowed boot camp. Intramural leagues vary by season and include soccer, dodge ball and floor hockey. And learn about club sports like lacrosse, rugby, fencing and water polo at the center. Don’t forget personal trainers and massage services are available for an extra fee.