SUN SAFETY

Did you know? 1 in every 5 Americans will develop skin cancer at some point during their lifetime.

Applying sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful, damaging rays. For best results, allow 30 minutes before sun exposure for sunscreen ingredients to fully bind with your skin.

The suns rays are strongest (and most damaging) between the hours of 10AM and 4PM. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is particularly important during this time frame. 

Click for more information on how you can be safe in the sun.

SOCIALIZE SAFELY

With Marathon Monday just around the corner, enjoy the festivities of the day while keeping yourself and your friends safe! When socializing, if you choose to drink, set a drinking limit near or below a blood alcohol concentration of 0.06.

Here are some tips for how you can Stay in Your Green Zone:

• Space your drinks over time
• Keep track by counting standard drinks*
• Eat before and while you are drinking
• Alternate alcohol and non-alcohol beverages
• Mix and measure your own drinks
• Avoid shots
• Avoid drinking games
• Avoid mixing alcohol with energy drinks

*Standard drink = 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of liquor

Not sure how to calculate and monitor your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)? Visit the Office of Health Promotion in Gasson 025 to pick up a wallet-sized BAC card or a voucher for a free BAC calculator app for your iPhone.

END-OF-SEMESTER STRESS

As summer approaches and the weather warms, it can be difficult to stay on track for the final push of the academic year.  Enjoy the remaining weeks of the semester and manage your stress by trying some of these stress reduction strategies:

• Get organized! Keeping your study space free from clutter and setting small, manageable goals can provide you with the mental clarity you need to get through the school year.
• Be balanced! With assignments piling up and deadlines approaching, it can feel difficult to take time for yourself. By setting aside time to do things that you truly enjoy, you'll have more energy--physically, mentally, and emotionally--to tackle that to-do list!
• Keep calm and carry on! Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, journaling, and/or talking to someone you trust can help you to unwind and refocus.  
• Laugh it off! Laughter and optimism can lower stress levels, relax muscles, and improve your overall mood. Take a 5-minute break to enjoy your favorite Youtube clip, you'll be glad you did!

SLEEP FOR 8

Do you feel like you're running on empty and have no time for sleep? Sleep may not be at the top of your priorities, but it should be.

Refuel your health for the final push of the semester by clocking at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

Approximately 20% of students report that a lack of sleep has in some way impacted their academic performance.

66% of students have pulled an all-nighter. Are you guilty? A lack of sleep can reduce the ability to consolidate memories, lead to poor concentration, and reduce attention span.

Fun fact: Students who sleep longer have higher GPAs and increased academic performance!

HELMET SAFETY

Regardless of your age or level of experience, whenever you ride a bike, in-line skate, skateboard or engage in other activities during which your head is vulnerable to injury, a helmet should be worn.

Each year, bike-related crashes kill approximately 820 people and injure 544,000 others.

If your helmet has protected you during a crash or fall, replace the helmet with a new one. Even if the helmet appears fine, the interior may be damaged.

Click for more information on helmet safety including why you should wear a helmet, how helmets protect you, and how to choose the best helmet for you.