Formula To Good Health Presented During Job Fair

Balancing an equation is not something anyone enjoys doing, nor does it seem easy. However, discovering the balance between the stress of school and the principles of healthy living is something that everyone on campus can work out.

The Valley College Student Health Center held its annual Health Fair May 13 in Monarch Square, with the theme "Mind + Body + Soul: Find the Equation to Good Health." High temperatures did no deter more than 150 students from working up a sweat and discovering more about issues such as obesity, dental health, sexually transmitted diseases and domestic violence.

"We are out here to inspire people to move and exercise and get healthy, because a lot of chronic diseases are related to inactivity," said Patty Melody, a Valley physical education instructor. "Only about 15 percent of the U.S. population exercises on a regular basis…We live in an environment when we work more than eight hours a day."

Valley nursing students manned many of the booths, willing to share information ranging from common sense cold and flu prevention to disease prevention. Nursing student Nicole Beis said that with finals coming up, students should be aware of their body and make sure they are well rested, hydrated and fed, as stress can lead to illness. As colds and flu are year-roud illnesses, cleanliness is another key point.

"…Wash your hands…That goes for any kind of cold and flu," said Beis.

Brooke Hailey from the New Directions Eating Disorder Center came to the fair with the goal of informing students that there is treatment available off campus for those who have to work around a college schedule.

"When you start college, you are often starting adult life, and there are a lot of stresses and it can be extremely overwhelming," said Hailey. "An eating disorder can serve to give someone a sense of control…Even though really, they are more out of control by doing this."

Nursing students Sonia Daggett and Elizabeth Shaw were busy sharing information about the dangers of energy drinks with fellow students, saying that many people do not realize the after effects.

"A lot of college students are drinking two or three cans just to get through the day, they don't know the damage that it causes," said Daggett. "They can elevate your blood pressure and your heart rate…But, they reach for them because it is easy."

The continued use of energy drinks can also cause physical dependence, dehydration and seizures, according to the information sheet they were handing to students.

Sonia Almanza thoroughly explored the fair and was in line to have her body fat measured. Almanza, who is due to give birth in August, was interested to see how much her body had changed since the last health fair.

"Health is really important to people in college to keep in mind," said Almanza. "The days I'm not at school, I can wake up and study all day until I go to sleep, that doesn't give me much time…It can be easy to let your health slip when you're busy and stressed.