January 24, 2011

Wellness Center announces free workshops

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Student Health Center’s Wellness Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering an assortment of free workshops this semester.

The presentations touch on a variety of issues affecting health and well-being and will give those attending the most current, accurate information available. The public is welcome and all workshops are in the Student Health Center Auditorium.

The spring 2011 workshops include:

• A Good Night’s Sleep, Jan. 31, 4 p.m. According to studies and students, poor sleep interferes with academic performance. This session offers information about healthy sleep habits for improved health and college success.

• Inked, Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Tattoos and body art are growing increasingly popular and here’s your chance to gather tips on getting the best, individualized tattoos you can while being safe doing it.

• Losin’ It, Feb. 28, 3 p.m. Weight control is a concern for many and this is an opportunity to learn what behaviors and environmental and genetic factors affect weight gain. Also, get practical tips, meal ideas and snack suggestions.

• Cheers! To Your Health! March 8, 4 p.m. Here’s a look at how drinking alcoholic beverages affects health and well-being, in particular within the college environment. Learn short and long-term risks and consequences and identify myths.

• GYT4SS, March 23, 5 p.m. It’s a frank discussion about sex, communication, getting tested, and increasing awareness of chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection.

• Beer is Not a Food Group, March 31, 6 p.m. It’s easy to be overwhelmed with what purports to be nutrition information but here you will learn to separate fact from fiction when it comes to eating a balanced diet despite a busy schedule.

• The Gathering Against Sexual Violence, April 6, 5-7 p.m. Join with the University and Carbondale community for this interactive dialogue to raise awareness of sexual assault and show support for survivors of gender violence. The event wraps up with a walk from the Student Health Center to The Women’s Center.

• Psst…., April 11, 3 p.m. The Positive Social Skills Trainers, an SIUC student peer group, will interact with the audience for this discussion about the complexity of decision-making relevant to sexual health. Topics include the definition of sex, myths, gender differences and pressures of society.

• Dress to Impress, Express or Oppress? April 19, 4 p.m. This workshop explores the way women dress and how they are judged by it, whether there’s a double standard, the roles media and the fashion industry play and more.

• Managing Stress for Academic Performance, April 27, 5 p.m. According to research, the top negative influence on student academic performance in college is stress. Find out how to improve your focus, get motivated, and reduce any test anxieties you have.

• Stay Connected, April 27, 6:30 p.m. Does being so “connected” actually make us unconnected? It’s a complex world we live in, full of distractions, and this workshop offers help in balancing everything.

For more information or the complete workshop calendar, visit the Student Health Center website at www.shc.siuc.edu or check the Community Health Calendar at www.communityhealthcalendar.siuc.edu. You can also call 618/536-4441.

The Wellness Center also offers information and confidential counseling for stress management, nutrition, substance abuse, violence prevention, sexual health, relationship violence and other issues. Call 618/536-4441 or visit the website at www.shc.siuc.edu for details.