A little newsletter from us to you to make you a wellness smarty, and what better time to catch up on this news than when you’re a little bit farty?
November 
By Claire Burke
If you’re like me and prefer to be able to breathe through your nose, then read on.
The best way to survive a cold is not to get one in the first place. Pianos, tables, desks, and doorknobs are touched by hundreds of hands every day—hands that have been in ears, eyes, mouths, and yes, noses. As it turns out, this spreads germs and viruses. So be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Touching the inside of your ears can make you more susceptible to flu; do you often do so? When do you rub your eyes? Wipe your nose? Cough into your hands? Invest in a small bottle of hand sanitizer; wash your hands whenever possible, and take advantage of the baby wipes in the piano lab. Taking a multivitamin daily or a vitamin C supplement can also aid prevention.
When a cold begins, there is still time to cut it short. Taking a zinc supplement (such as Cold-Eez) can shorten a cold to just a few days. Scientists speculate that zinc prevents viruses from forming proteins needed to multiply; it also may attach to the proteins of a virus and make it difficult for the virus to infiltrate the body’s cells (especially in the respiratory system). Getting a full night’s sleep (8 hours) will help your immune system do its job; it works best at night. Washing your hands often and carrying tissues with you (and USING them) will help prevent others from suffering your fate.
If you find yourself in the middle of a cold or the flu with no way to cut it short, you’ll need some help from the drug aisle of Walgreens. Whether you take syrup, nasal sprays, or lozenges, make sure the product is designed to help your specific ailment. If you have a stuffy nose, don’t take a cough syrup that does not fight a stuffy nose; that’s just not smart. Hot tea and chicken soup (really!) can offer some relief from your ailments. The steam from hot tea and soup can loosen chest congestion and loosen the mucous in your nose; also, there is evidence that the broth can bring down inflammation and help soothe a sore throat. And if you really miss the attention from Mom, maybe your roommate will make the chicken soup for you.
Recommended products:Wal-tussin (CF, DM, etc.)
Airborne
Cold-Eez
Halls Vitamin C Drops
Tissues
Hand Sanitizer
By Brianna Stapleton
Winter is the worst season for smokers. If you’re sick of freezing your butt off while taking a smoke break, maybe you’d like to participate in the Great American Smokeout on November 17, 2005.
The Great American Smokeout is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Smokers who want to try quitting are encouraged to give up smoking just for one day. The idea is that one day without cigarettes will empower smokers to try quitting permanently. Lawrence students who want to join in the Smokeout can pick up “Quit Kits” at the Health Center from November 14 th to November 18 th. If you’re not a smoker but still want to help, be sure to support your friends who are trying to quit. Quitting may be a daunting task, but the Great American Smokeout is your chance to finally give it a try.
To make the 24 hours of non-smoking a bit easier, here are a few suggestions:
• Make yourself a “cold turkey” sandwich in the Downer Deli Line.
• Hold a “cigarette burial” and put your pack of cigarettes in the ground, where they can’t tempt you.
• Drink lots of water and juices.
• Take the money you would have spent on a pack of cigarettes and use it to buy yourself a treat.
By Emma Sweet
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, with all the creamed onions, buttery cornbread, and gravy that implies. Thanksgiving comes but once a year, and it’s natural to diverge from your regular eating habits to indulge in the delicious decadence of this day, but it’s also all too easy to overdo it. Here are a few tips to keep you happy and healthy this Turkey Day:
• Don’t overeat. Go ahead and help yourself to everything on the table, but keep the portions reasonable.
• Go for a walk. Staying active in the face of all those fixin’s will aid digestion and burn excess calories.
• If you don’t eat meat, don’t despair! You can pick up a delicious Tofurkey at your local supermarket.
Brought to you by the Student Wellness Committee