Mothers, daughters and sisters—celebrate the women in your life today.
Women at Salt Lake Community College work tirelessly to achieve success. Many not only have their school to attend to, but have jobs and families as well. There is reason why they might not have time for themselves, but not today.
Today is about these women taking care of themselves first, not last. It is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, which is celebrated annually on the final Wednesday in the month of September. Michelle Neeshan, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinic Manager of SLCC’s Health and Wellness Services, shares some health tips.
Sleep
“You’re genetic code will change if you don’t have adequate sleep,” says Neeshan. “Six to eight hours is a healthy amount of sleep.”
A survey conducted in the spring of 2013 by the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA NCHA) found that 22 percent of SLCC students have difficulty sleeping.
Health and Wellness Services offers medical, counseling and massage services to help students with sleep problems.
Protect your heart
“Because cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death,” says Neeshan, “make sure that you maintain a low salt intake.”
Neeshan also says to take advantage of Health and Wellness Services’ free birthday physical.
“People ignore symptoms that they shouldn’t ignore,” says Neeshan. “And in the grand scheme of things, you can only do that for so long.”
Talk to someone
ACHA NCHA found that 41 percent of SLCC students have depression and/or anxiety.
For those who fall into this category, there is help. Health and Wellness Services offers counseling and can even make prescriptions.
“In October we will be doing depression screenings,” says Neeshan.
It is good to reach out and help those who are suffering from depression. Make someone’s day by doing something nice for them.
Stop making excuses
There are unlimited ways to improve one’s health, so make the choice to do it. And don’t forget to take advantage of all that Health and Wellness Services has to offer.
“We love our women,” says Neeshan.
Happy National Women’s Health and Fitness Day!
