HealthierU ~ May 9, 2007

Thursday, May 10 ~ 7:00 to 9:00pm ~ MPR, Campus Center
Stress Free Zone
Get a professional chair massage.  Craft a greeting card for your graduating friends or an upcoming birthday. Play a game. Take a break from your studying-induced stresses at the Stress Free Zone!!!! Sponsored by WesWELL.

Saturday, May 12 ~ 9:30am ~ Start at the Wesleyan Rugby Fields
Middletown Wellness Run/Walk
Run or walk the loop around Long Lane and the Freeman Athletic Center in the first annual Middletown Wellness Run/Walk to promote wellness and fun. Meet at the rugby fields (near the intersection of Long Lane and Wadsworth Street) to join in this FREE fun run/walk!  Prizes, snacks, music, kiddie run, face painting for the kids and more. Organized by Naomi Takahashi '07 and Kara Schnoes '07 with support from the Healthful Words Fund, Wesleyan University's Student Assembly, President Doug Bennet, and the Psychology Department.

Wednesday, May 16 ~ 7:00pm ~ South Green, Union Park ~ The Ride of Silence
Thursday, May 17 ~ 7:00am to 9:00am ~ South Green, Union Park ~ Bike to Work & School Day
Middletown's first ever Bike to Work or School day! More information can be found at:  www.transaltmiddletown.org/upcomingevents.htm. Sponsored by Transportation Alternatives with support from the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance, Pip Printing, and Wesleyan's Center for Community Partnerships.

Announcements
Performers & new Skits wanted for "Unspeakable Acts"
If you will be on campus during New Student Orientation and are interested in performing in Unspeakable Acts, skits addressing sexual assault and partner abuse, contact Nick Benacerraf '08 or Lisa Currie.  Eight to sixteen performers are needed for various parts (monologues, dialogues and other skits).  Performers must be on campus Monday, August 27 through Thursday, August 30 and available for rehearsals and performances.  We are also seeking new skits addressing same sex abuse, Facebook/stalking concerns and more. Contact us with your ideas and scripts!

Quote of the Week
 "This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."  ~ Author Unknown

Healthy Dose of Info on...Finals Week Survival Tips
1. Get enough sleep.
Cognitive function is greatly impaired by sleep deprivation. While sleep is often sacrificed in favor of other priorities, you will be mentally sharper and physically more capable when well rested.

2. Prioritize your studying and projects.
Make a timeline of due dates and schedule an appropriate amount of time to complete each task.

3. Do the unpleasant tasks first. 
While they rarely turn out to be as bad as you think they will be, getting them out of the way will free you up to focus on the things you really want to do.

4. Avoid skipping meals.
Eat balanced meals when you're hungry to keep your body fueled, especially since the cold weather and long hours can sap your energy faster than usual.

5. Take short breaks every hour while studying.
Refocus your eyes away from your book or computer to reduce eyestrain every half hour. Stretch tired muscles. Walk around the building or go outside for a breath of fresh air. 

6. Avoid breaking your workout routine.
Even a brisk 20 minute walk once a day will help keep your energy levels up and burn off stress.  Or break up your study sessions with a quick walk around the block every hour.

7. BREATHE!
Our breathing patterns tend to be disrupted when we are stressed out. Take the time to breathe consciously and deeply. Oxygenating your body will help with mental clarity and provide a short break from what is stressing you.

8. Include some social time for stress relief, but don't overdo it.
If your social activities are becoming study avoidance activities, it's time to revisit your priorities and refocus on your finals.

9. Limit (or eliminate) your alcohol and drug intake. 
Alcohol and other drugs can impair our ability to create memories and retain new information.  Avoid harming your ability to study effectively by reducing or eliminating your intake of these substances, especially the night before a big exam.

10. Remember -- this too shall pass.
Finals week is a short term stressor; it will end no later than the last day of finals week. To prepare for the next finals week, think about what you can do starting at the beginning of next semester to prevent your stress levels from getting as high again.

~ Compiled by WesWELL

For more information on Wesleyan's health offices, visit:
WesWELL, the Office of Health Education
Health Services
Office of Behavioral Health for Students

Publicize your health-promoting event in HealthierU by emailing all the details to lcurrie @wesleyan.edu for the following Wednesday's edition of HealthierU.

HealthierU is created and maintained by WesWELL, the Office of Health Education. 
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Please direct any feedback or suggestions to weswell@wesleyan.edu or 860.685.2466.