Mind & Body

There is such thing as good stress and bad stress. Good stress motivates us to address problems, and do the tasks we need to. Bad stress can become toxic and we can respond by becoming immobilized or trying to escape. That can get in the way of getting things done, especially at this time of year. Click through for tips on managing stress from Wardenburg Health Service's Community Health division.

Why is CU-Boulder considered one of the best colleges for on-campus dining? In past generations, college dining had the reputation of being unhealthy, limited and not the best food. Today, the dining halls at CU-Boulder are wholly defying that reputation. Thanks to the efforts of Allison Smith and her coworkers in Housing and Dining Services, CU-Boulder students can rest assured that they always will have healthy, and good, food options on campus.

You know you read that section of your book, but… you just can’t recall what it said. Sound familiar? Memory is a tricky thing, and when we’re stressed or sleepy it’s the first thing to take a hit. So, how do we hack our memories? A recent study found that repeatedly reviewing a concept—literally repeating it out loud in our own words—caused the memory pathways in our brain get stronger. Try it out and read more in this month’s issue of Student Health 101 online magazine.

Spring break is almost here. Time to figure out what a real break is to you. CU students say they do things like spend time with family, catch up on sleep, see a movie or check out a trail they haven't had the time for. Take the Wardenburg Health Services spring break quiz to find your style.

We all have moments where we close our minds. Mindful awareness is the key to breaking this habit and communicating more effectively by making sure you’re heard by others and really hearing what they have to say. Step 1: notice how it feels when someone disagrees with you, and understand this as simply your experience of their opinion. Ready to learn more? Check out the guide to better, calmer conversations in this month’s issue of Student Health 101 online magazine.

Students planning spring break trips to warm climates outside the United States, including Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, should be aware that they are traveling to Zika virus-affected areas and are encouraged to take precautions.

Reduce the risk of accidental exposure, drug misuse, and environmental contamination by participating in Drug Take-Back Day. Turn in unused or expired medication for safe disposal on Wednesday, March 9, at the Drug Take-Back Event hosted by Community Health, a division of Wardenburg Health Services and the CU Police Department.

Turns out there’s more to dancing than just showing off and rocking out—it can also have amazing health benefits. Getting up and shaking it off may actually improve mood, boost confidence, strengthen friendships, build muscle and cardio endurance and more.

A nap always sounds like a good idea. However, sometimes naps can cause side effects like feeling groggy and restless later on. Everything from when and where we nap to why and for how long play into hitting that sweet spot for the perfect nap—or knowing we have to push on through. Consult this month’s issue of Student Health 101 online magazine to find out whether a nap is in your future.

The Zika virus, discovered in 1947 in Africa, is related to the viruses that cause yellow fever, West Nile, dengue and chikunguna, and it is spread by bites of the mosquitos Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus. In the past the virus was found principally in Africa, southeast Asia, and parts of the Pacific, but over the past several years and especially in the last 6-9 months it has grown “explosively” in the Americas. Brazil has been especially hard hit, and there is concern that the coming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro may cause further expansion of the virus’ territority.