Staying Healthy at School

Hey ladies! This year is going to be a whirlwind of excitement and you're not going to want to miss a single second. That means you need to keep yourself up and running on all cylinders, so here's some of the key ingredients to staying healthy at school:

1. Sleep: I put this one first because it the one you'll most likely ignore. But don't! Those 8 hours (or 6....or 4) are the important because they fuel you for the next day. Even when the semester gets busy with projects and exams, don't forget to give your noggin the rest it deserves.  Plus don't you want to be as happy as the little baby?

2. Exercise: Whether you are training for the Mt. Nittany half marathon or more of a Zumba kind of girl, there is always some way to get active around Penn State. Grab a friend and get a gym membership, go for a run through the trails at the Arburetum, sign up for the Thon 5k or the ColorRun, join a club sport or IM  team...the possibilities are endless. And if you need a running partner or one more player in a game of soccer or ultimate Frisbee, hit me up, I'd love to join!

3. Healthy eating: Or at least trying... :) The dining halls are great, but with creamery ice cream always

available it can be hard to convince yourself to squeeze in some veggies too. Whether you're a health conscious eater or not, fueling your body up with good food will keep you doing your best in classes and in all your other adventures around campus, too.

P.S. If you have dietary restrictions or want more info about dining hall eating, keep your eyes peeled for future blog topics!

4. Keep everything in moderation: This is really the key to it all. Keeping yourself healthy doesn't have to take extra energy, just a little prioritizing. Keeping a good balance of exercise, sleep, and nutritious food in your crazy schedule will pay off when you have the energy to do your best. Take care of yourself first, and then you'll be able to take care of everything that comes your way.

BUT If you do get sick at school (and it happens to most of us sooner or later) there's plenty of help around. University Helath Services (UHS) is right on campus. Beyond the typical medical checkup, they also have resources for depression, sleep disorders, and many other physical or mental ailments. If UHS isn't able to help, there are several pharmacies around town and a hospital nearby for more serious cases. If you're worried about missing class because you're sick, just email your professor (before the class you are missing) and have a trusty friend hand in any homework due or take notes for you. Then get back in bed, drink some OJ, call your mentor if you need anything, and focus on getting better :)

I always call my mom first (of course), but if you need to see a doctor or get medication,

Here's to a happy, healthy freshman year! Cheers, and see you in August!

Rachel Perini is a junior in Mechanical Engineering, and she is a Mentor for WEPO '14!