Wellness Tips

In order to maximize your chances of success at K, here are some excellent suggestions for staying well at Kalamazoo College. (Thanks to Professor Jeanne Hess for the tips and the links!)

• Get adequate sleep every night. (http://sleepdisorders.about.com/cs/sleepdeprivation/a/college.htm)
   
• Feed yourself well daily with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water. (http://www.mypyramid.gov)
   
• Use alcohol minimally, if at all. Alcohol abuse is a major cause of college student disengagement. You may be interested in the Whole College Catalog About Drinking website, which aims to provide a "comprehensive, interesting, understandable, provocative, and ... useful" document, contrasting "mature, nondestructive, 'gracious and joyful'" drinking with behavior that is destructive to one's health and personal goals.
   
• If you do not already have a fitness program or regular plan of exercise, consider beginning one. Exercise enhances feelings of well being, sleep effectiveness, body awareness and decreases mild feelings of malaise and depression. For help, see the Physical Education Department or go to: http://www.acsm.org/health+fitness/index.htm
   
• Know that there is help on campus for physical, mental, social and spiritual concerns. Resources include the Health Center (ext. 7200), Counseling Center (see the web site for all staff phone numbers and email addresses), the Office of Student Development, including the Campus Life Department, and the Chaplain's Office.