Ohio Wesleyan Student Health

04/06/2021

Because of the pandemic, people are experiencing elevated stress levels. Studies have shown that yoga and meditation can be used as a way to cope with a variety of mental illnesses including anxiety and depression. In addition, it has physical benefits like slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and slowing breathing. However, it is important to remember that although yoga has been popularized in the United States as a form of physical fitness, it has much deeper roots in Hindu tradition and Indian cultural history. Most people tend to focus on the physical poses (asanas), but if you intend to use yoga to improve your physical, mental, or spiritual health, it is just as important to learn about its roots and history.

03/30/2021

According to the Ohio Department of Health, as of Monday, March 29, Phase 2D of vaccinations begins in Ohio, and all people over the age of 16 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. There are currently 1,325 vaccination administration locations in Ohio. Search for one closest to you check the second link. There are no out-of-pocket costs for receiving the vaccine, but if you have health insurance, be prepared to give providers that information. In addition, you will need to bring some form of identification. For a list of accepted forms of ID please check the third link. For more information about COVID-19 and the vaccine, please visit the links below.

Sources:
coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-program/covid-19-vaccination-program/covid-19-vaccination-program
coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-provider-dashboard
coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/vaccine/covid-19-fact-sheet-vaccine-appointment.pdf

03/24/2021

When it comes to health, we often overlook our bones because most bone health conditions don’t present themselves until old age. Bone density peaks at around the age 30, and then, we lose more bone mass than we gain which increases the risk of breaking them. To care for your bones now, it is recommended that adults between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume about 1000mg of calcium per day and 10-20 micrograms of Vitamin D a day to ensure that the body can absorb that calcium.. Foods like dairy products, dark leafy greens, foods made with fortified flour, and fish where you eat bones (like sardines) are high in calcium. Finally, engaging in weight bearing exercises like walking, running, and weight lifting can strengthen your bones.

03/17/2021

Welcome to another edition of Meet the Staff!
Kara just began working at the OWU Student Health Center this spring. Before joining us at OWU, she worked at Planned Parenthood and Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus.
She attended the University of Cincinnati for her Bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies, and Capital University for her R.N. and B.S.N. Then, Kara attended Otterbein University for her Master’s.
Her favorite medical term is borborygmi which is the rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.

03/16/2021

Whether the date reflects it or not, it’s spring time, Bishops! For some of us that means, fun in the sun, but for some of us, it means allergies. Did you know that wearing your mask correctly can actually help prevent severe allergy symptoms? Just as your mask can prevent droplets that may carry COVID-19 from entering your airways, it can also reduce the number of allergens that enter your airways. However, in order to ensure that your masks are doing the most for you and your airways, it is crucial that you keep them clean by washing them regularly. Happy spring!

02/23/2021

Many parents tell their children to bundle up when they go outside during the winter to avoid catching a cold. While the science behind this is relatively nuanced, there is some truth to your parents’ advice; many viruses, including the common cold and the flu, thrive at lower temperatures making you more likely to catch them in the winter. However, this does not mean that you should hibernate indoors from November to March. It is actually crucial that you go outside and are exposed to sunlight regularly so that your body can produce vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to weakened immune systems. Just make sure that when you do go outside you take some precautions. For example, your extremities give off the most heat so keep your hands, feet, and heads protected from the elements. In addition, you can use a humidifier to slightly increase the temperatures indoors and to prevent your nasal passages from drying out which also tends to increase the likelihood of catching the flu. Stay warm and stay healthy, Bishops!

Source:
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/can-winter-make-you-sick

11/17/2020

As finals approach, we are receiving more and more work from our professors. With the ever-growing amount of work and limited time throughout the day, it is important that we are able to study as efficiently as possible. When taking study breaks, rather than hopping on TikTok, consider going for a walk or meditating. Regular engagement with social media can reduce students’ ability to focus and learn. Studies have shown that “people who exercise form more neurons that emit a neurotransmitter known as GABA which has been proven to calm the brain and reduce overall anxiety. Take a break and ace those finals, Bishops!

Source:
https://www.onlineschools.org/science-of-study-breaks/

11/12/2020

Meet Amy Struewing R.N., B.S.N
Amy will have been working at the OWU Student Health Center for 3 years in January, and is excited for the years to come!
She attended Wright State University for her nursing degree.
And her favorite medical term is ageusia which is the complete loss of taste!

11/10/2020

Many experts argue that studying in bed can impact not only your ability to focus while doing work, but also your ability to fall asleep once you put that work away. Working or studying from your bed can be tempting since it is one of the most comfortable places in your room. However, all that comfort may distract you from your work. Similarly, when you put your head down at night after a full day of working in your bed, sometimes it is hard to decompress; once you start to establish your bed as a place to do work, your brain may struggle to shut off once you are done for the day. Bishops, when you are studying for your exams this semester, try sticking to your desk or head to Beeghly instead!

Source:
https://info.achs.edu/blog/never-do-homework-in-bed-3-reasons-why #:~:text=Studying%20in%20bed%20decreases%20productivity,an%20exam%20is%20a%20concern.

Where you decide to do homework plays a role in how much work you get done. And what’s the worst place to try to be productive? Your bed.

10/29/2020

OWU students can get lower priced STD testing at the Student Health Center! Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing is $12.50 per urine test and syphilis testing is $5.00 per blood test. Call 740-368-3160 to schedule an appointment to get tested. Scheduling for these tests can occur on Monday afternoons, all day on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons. The Health Center accepts both debit and credit cards.

10/28/2020

Changes in mood during the winter months are relatively common. Whether it is diagnosed seasonal depression or just just mood variations, lack of sun exposure is proven to impact our moods. As most people know, our main source of Vitamin D is from the sun☀️. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions including depression. To avoid a deficiency this winter, step outside into the sunshine when the sun actually comes out; even a little bit of sunshine is shown to boost your mood. For more consistent vitamin D exposure, consume foods that contain vitamin D like fortified cereals and milks, eggs, salmon, tuna, soy milk, certain mushrooms, etc. Keep walking on sunshine, Bishops!

Source: Bushak, Lecia. “How To Maintain Healthy Levels Of Vitamin D When It's Too Cold Outside.” Medical Daily, 14 Feb. 2015, www.medicaldaily.com/avoid-vitamin-d-deficiency-winter-bits-sunshine-and-proper-diet-322232

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