4/08/19 Emerald Media - Health & Wellness Guide

April 2019

HEALTH

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Letter from the Editor More and more people are gaining interest in a healthy, happy lifestyle, and the first step towards bliss is bodily and mental health. This guide will help you navigate local beauty services, bust those fitness myths and vitamin myths you’ve been wondering about and finally help develop a consistent skin care routine. Put the herbal tea on, drink more water and don’t forget to love your body, your mind and your soul along the way. Enjoy the Health and Wellness edition.

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Bodybuilding Myths and the Truth Behind Them Words and Photos by Lauren Bruce For years, women have seen unattainable beauty standards plastered across TV screens and magazines as glassy-eyed, photoshopped replications of women stare back at them. The itch to become a “billboard woman” is tempting for most. She represents wealth, status and beauty. Men within the fitness community are now seeing their own version of the billboard woman, as an unattainable body promoted through the fitness model. However, many of these images, like the over photoshopped billboard woman, are attained through steroids.

While some fitness promoters, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (@therock) and Jon Skywalker (@ jonskywalker), have openly admitted to taking steroids to push their bodies beyond the cap of their weightlifting limitations, many others do not. Simeon Panda @simeonpanda claims in his Instagram bio that his muscle has been gained naturally. It’s important when fitness promoters are open about their steroid use, because it helps bring perspective to a person’s own fitness journey. Comparing your own progress to someone who’s on steroids isn’t good for your mental health because the body standard portrayed is largely unrealistic. A man on steroids with bulging shoulders, full pecs and an eight-pack is selling an image to a man or boy that requires more than just commiting all your time, energy and a ton of money.

Work on yourself, for yourself. #SoreToday #StrongTomorrow #Bodypositivity

That’s not to say that consistent, hard work won’t get you anywhere. In fact, eating a lot, lifting progressively heavier weights, and being consistent will get you great results - just not necessarily the results of professional bodybuilders like Ulisses Williams Jr (@ulissesworld), Kai Greene (@kaigreene), or Mike OHearn (@mikeohearn).

Myth

Myth There are ways to make progress happen fast While you may see a dramatic jump in the way your muscles looked before you started working out to about 3-5 months into consistent lifting, this progress will be slow. Typically, Instagram fitness models have been lifting consistently for five or more years, so it’s normal to slow in progress and watch steady growth. Comparing the “after” body of an Instagram fitness model to where you’re at (even after a year or two of working out) may not be a fair comparison. Keep in mind how far you’ve come, and make goals for where you want to be, but don’t count on instant gratification.

Myth There are shortcuts to getting strong While taking steroids will increase muscle gain faster, they have long term, hash effects on your body. Avoiding steroids and other unnatural enhancement solutions is better for your health long-term. The progress will be slower through natural bodybuilding, but your body will be better off in the long term.

Myth

Working out every day is the most important thing to getting huge Eating consistently and according to your macros is really the most important part. You can workout three times a week, like natural fitness models such as Greg O'Gallagher, and still gain muscle if you’re eating consistently and maintaining a calorie surplus.

To track your calories, use an app on your phone like MyFitnessPal. It really helps to ensure you’re keeping up with the foods you should be eating. You can calculate your macros online too and input them into the app.

On good days, work out. On bad days, work out harder. #GetFit #LoveYourself #ShowYourself

Myth You need supplements to gain muscle The most helpful supplement to take in most cases is protein, which goes back to your calories. Protein powder will serve as the extra caloric boost you need before and after workouts to help your body repair muscles and build them stronger. Hard working muscles need a lot of protein. The more “magic” that a supplement claims to do, generally the less it actually will.

You can get big without lifting progressively heavier weights Without pushing your muscles harder, and consistently trying heavier weights, you won’t be able to get bigger. This is because your body, as a natural response, is always trying to conserve energy. You need to push bigger weights to maintain the growth process, otherwise your body will stay the same size, since you’re lifting the same weights.

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Everything seems impossible until it's done - keep pushing! #BelieveInYourself #FitnessJourney

In With The New and Out With The

“Achoo!”

Ach

oo

Words by Lucille Shadburne | Photo by Lauren Bruce

While the sun is out, no one wants to stay inside. But unfortunately, when the sun is out, it usually also means that allergens are out— especially in Eugene. Eugene is the ideal climate for allergens to congregate in an effort to effect as many people as possible. If you have a grass allergy like so many others, this can prove to be problematic in the grass seed capital of the world. Eugene is almost routinely reported by Pollen.com to have one of the highest pollen counts in the country. It has all sorts of angry allergens flying around, grass pollen, flower pollen, tree pollen, you name it! But fear not, for there are many options you can use to prevent stuffy noses, puffy red eyes, or itchy skin.

Fruits and Veggies They say a healthy diet helps with anything. Maintaining a healthy diet has been proven to lower allergy symptoms. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, drinking a lot (and we mean a lot) of water and maintaining a healthy balance in the meals you eat is sure to help you feel healthier along with reducing the amount of allergic reactions you experience.

Handwashing This seems like a pretty straightforward one, but it’s so simple and we’re so used to doing it that sometimes we forget how effective it is. Allergens in the form of particles are everywhere in the air and every time you leave the house they cling to you. Allergies or not, it’s hard to resist snapping that Insta pic of poppies or taking a break in the green grass. A good way to lessen your reactions is by washing your hands about two times as much as you normally do during allergy season. Wash them before you eat anything, especially before you touch your face and every time you get home.

Basic Medication Some medicines that people tend to use are Flonase, Claritin or Zyrtec. It depends on how severe your allergic reactions tend to be. Claritin is a commonly used allergy medicine that is known for working well for mild symptoms, whereas Flonase and Zyrtec are usually prescribed by doctors for people with more serious debilitating allergies.

Cleaning Another efficient method is cleaning. Keeping a space you occupy often like your bedroom very clean helps prevent exposure to pollen or dust. Dust, like pollen, is also known to encourage allergic reactions, so by keeping those things out of spaces you normally occupy helps lessen the amount of suffering you have to endure. There are also several plants you can keep that actually help cleanse the air, like peace lilies or gerber daisies.

Hot Tea Strongly scented tea such as spearmint are an especially great way to relax the muscles in your body and release tension, however, if you waft the steam from the hot tea into your nose, it can also help clear your sinuses. The same goes for a steam bath; fill up a pan with an inch or two of water and set the stove top to medium. Hold a towel over your head (to trap the steam in) and lean over the pot to clear your sinuses quickly for immediate relief.

For extra cleansing, add 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water to help expand your sinuses.

Exercise In addition, exercising and activity helps stifle allergy symptoms by getting your blood flowing. When your blood flows faster through your body, it helps push allergens out of your system through your kidney or through the pores of your skin. It can be difficult to feel like working out when you’re under the weather, but similar to sweating a cold out, this trick can help end your suffering early.

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GET YOURSELF TESTED And for men, it’s as easy as 1, 2, Pee. STD Tests are generally quick, easy and painless.

A lot of the time, all you have to do is pee in a cup.

Protect yourself.

Protect your partner.

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STAYING HEALTHY Words by Lucille Shadburne | Photo by Elle Wayt

in a petri dish

Avoiding seasonal sickness can be hard, especially for college students. I am a perfect example of who not to emulate when taking precautions against getting sick. I have been sick six weeks of winter term alone, but the experience has helped me learn what not to do. When you’re constantly being exposed to thousands of other people, most of which are suffering from lack of sleep, malnutrition and high stress… yeah, it’s bad. All those factors weaken people’s immune systems and make them more vulnerable for colds, flus and other germ invasions. This article will provide you with ways you can help strengthen your immune system to avoid those end-all illnesses.

Diet

Lack of food makes a person’s body and mind alone notably weaker, just imagine what it does to one’s immune system!

In order to prevent from getting sick, you should make sure you’re eating a healthy amount while also making sure to eat enough fruits and vegetables. On top of this, drink all the water you can possibly manage. Staying hydrated (clear liquids are the best) is the fastest track to nourishing your immune system and warding off bugs. If you wanna be extra fancy, add an Emegen-C Immune Booster packet to your water for reinforcement.

Along with this, avoid foods with lots of MSG or sugar, as high salt or sugar contents compete for space in your body against essential nutrients like vitamin C or antibodies fighting the sickness.

Herbal Help

Ginger is also a very effective deterrent of illness—it helps strengthen your immune system. It may be a little harsh for sensitive stomachs, but in the long run it helps you heal faster or prevent you from catching a sickness that could be coming on. The best way to take it is to dice up about a spoonful of ginger and swallow with a swig of water. Taking a shot of apple cider vinegar also helps you avoid catching a cold or some other sickness.

The taste and smell is very strong, but that’s part of what makes it so good for you. Basic natural immune boosters to add to your snacks or tea are lemons,

Immunizations

Shots shots shots! Vaccinations and flu shots can help save you from the worst illnesses each year. The flu has spread like wildfire throughout the campus, and having the flu shot won’t only help prevent you from getting it, but also help prevent it from spreading to even more people. A plethora of pharmacies or clinic locations around Eugene offer accessible and affordable flu shots, including student discounts at many of them.

Sleep

This is a big one. I know that we’re all in college and usually cut back on sleep to finish assignments or study for big midterms coming up, but they say you’re supposed to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. A lack of sleep severely weakens your immune system and makes it so much easier for the germs to get all up in there.

Conscious Contact

Limited contact is always a good idea while sicknesses are going around. Try to not share water bottles, pencils or pens, or anything that you don’t have to and remember to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Hand sanitizer should be a last resort. Studies have shown that the only germs that hand sanitizer don’t kill are very strong and almost certain to infect you, so don’t rely on it. Avoid spending time with friends who are sick or going to largescale events where there will be a higher population of germs in one spot.

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Vital Vitamins?

Words by Julianna Bourjeaurd | Photo by Keven Salazar

Maybe not.

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I have never been one to avidly take daily vitamins. However, after a few months of complaining of constant fatigue, general stress, an always uncomfortable stomach and more annoyances, I made an appointment with Mary Jane O’Byrne.

A registered acupuncturist, nutritional microscopist and certified biofeedback therapist with a specialty in stress management who also practices traditional Chinese medicine, this woman knew the ins and outs of my body more after an hour than I ever could in my entire life. After looking at my blood cells through a microscope, O’Byrne immediately discovered that I was anemic, meaning that my blood lacked red blood cells and had a low hemoglobin. As a result, my body was not getting the oxygen it needed, thus causing the fatigue I had been experiencing.

After many other tests and questions, I was prescribed about 10 different vitamins, each with a different purpose, to take multiple times daily, including a blood booster to combat anemia. However, this wasn’t the only solution to my problems.

O’Byrne emphasized the importance of a healthy, vitamin and mineral-rich diet rich to aid the side effects I had been experiencing.

While adapting to a new diet isn’t as convenient as just taking new vitamins, it eliminated the causation factors that were behind my stomach, skin and stress issues. When researching more about vitamins, I also found more academic opinions that supported a diet over supplements. Director of the Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Larry Appel, M.D., stated that, “Pills are not a shortcut to better health.... Other nutrition recommendations have much stronger evidence of benefits.”

After my personal experiences with doctors and researching other opinions, incorporating vitamin supplements into your lifestyle is really just dependent on your body. So, I’m not saying that you need to visit a microscopist in order to figure out which vitamins work best for you or avoid supplements entirely. What is important to understand is that you can’t subsidize a healthy, balanced diet and daily exercise with vitamins, but adding in a few extra supplements can help your body!

Ask Yourself

1

What are you not getting in your diet? Due to allergies, food preferences or working with a college budget, sometimes getting a lot of fresh produce or vitamin-rich foods is not always an option. For example, it’s largely common for vegetarians to lack iron due to the meatless diet.

According to the National Institute of Health, “vegetarians who do not eat meat, poultry, or seafood need almost twice as much iron,” because the body doesn’t absorb plant-sourced nonheme iron as it does when its from animals. If this applies to you, maybe hop on the iron supplement bandwagon!

2

What does my body actually need? We may think buying vitamins of all kinds will help all of our problems, but that’s probably not true. That being said, it’s not uncommon to experience deficiencies. Take vitamin D for example, which most University of Oregon students are deprived of in winter. According to Weather Atlas, the average amount of sunlight in Eugene per day in January is only three hours.

More likely than not, you experience vitamin D deficiency, so perhaps investing in a supplement can be useful in fighting the winter gloom.

3

As well as the typical vitamins like these, there are also other supplements that act as boosters, which can be additional help in maintaining health. Turmeric has become a hot topic in the food blogging and lifestyle industry, as it includes properties that prevent inflammation. Zinc is another hit among college students, as it boosts immune systems, which is a necessity during cold and flu season.

4

Where are the vitamins coming from? Do some research on the brand you are using before you buy a bottle. While some carry the same vitamins, it can come from either synthetic or natural origins. Your body recognizes recognizes natural resources better than those made in a lab, so it may be better to use brands plant-based brands like Mega Foods.

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UP YOUR SKINCARE GAME

Words by Sophie Bange | Photography by Elle Wayt Did anyone else grow up believing the myth that bad skin would disappear with puberty? Turns out that for some of us, acne is a lifelong battle. And while there are a wealth of skincare products that can help, it can get overwhelming, fast. What brands can I trust? What ingredients actually work? It’s all so confusing.

With the help of the internet, I’ve spent years searching for and perfecting my skincare routine, and I’m here to pass on some of that knowledge. Of course, I must include a disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist! These tips are based on my own research and experiences, so they’re not 100% guaranteed. Everyone’s skin is different, but hopefully this can help you in beginning your skincare journey.

GOT A PROBLEM? PAY ATTENTION TO INGREDIENTS

You don’t have to pay $60 for a fancy serum that will supposedly give you baby-soft skin. There are plenty of affordable ways to get the skin you’ve dreamed of, as long as you know what ingredients to look for.

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Problem: Acne Solution: Chemical Exfoliants

We’ve all tried scrubbing away pimples with an exfoliating scrub, products with small grains meant to cleanse the skin. But scrubs are physical exfoliants, which can cause micro-tears in the skin or further increase inflammation. Chemical exfoliants offer a gentler way to attack acne, without all the scrubbing. Glycolic acid is a great option, as it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Try: Pixi Glow Tonic ($15 at Target) or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution ($8.70 at Sephora)

Problem: Stress Solution: DIY Masks & Facials

I knew my self-care game was way off when I put on a sheet mask one day and went right back to reading emails. Making a mask myself forces me to take the time to mix it and get in the proper, relaxed mood. Take a 30 minute study break to make a mask or DIY facial and unwind.

Try: Herbal Facial Kit ($32.25 for 5 uses, from Mountain Rose Herbs); make a hydrating mask with ½ an avocado, 1 tsp plain organic yogurt, and 1 tsp of honey; or combine 2 tbsp honey with 1 tsp of cinnamon and juice from a lemon wedge for a calming mask.

Problem: Dry Skin Solution: Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a miracle molecule which absorbs moisture from its environment, making it the perfect dry skin solution. You can find it in cleansers, serums and moisturizers for maximum hydration.

Try: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($14.99 at Target) and Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum ($8.99 at Trader Joe’s)

Problem: Oily Skin Solution: Organic Jojoba Oil

Using an oil to help oily skin may seem counterintuitive. But certain oils like jojoba oil, which has a lightweight consistency, mimic the natural oil your skin produces, called sebum. By mimicking sebum, your skin will produce less with continued use.

Try: Viva Naturals Organic Jojoba Oil ($10.44 on Amazon)

Problem: Pores Solution: Vitamin B3

After using a vitamin B3 serum for a couple of months, I could practically see my pores shrink before my eyes. Smaller pores don’t clog as easily, so B3 also can help prevent acne. B3 also tightens the skin and helps with discoloration caused by acne scarring.

Try: The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum ($5.90 at Sephora) or LifeEssentials B3 Serum ($14.95 on Amazon)

PERFECTING YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE You don’t necessarily need to use every type of product listed here, but whatever you do use, it’s important to use it the right way. A good rule of thumb: use thin, liquidy products first and thicker, creamier products last. Don’t forget to wait a few minutes between each step for the ingredients to sink into your skin.

Step 1:

Cleanser

Wash your face for a full 60 seconds using circular motions for a proper cleanse; 20 seconds on the forehead, 20 on your nose and chin, and 10 for each cheek.

Step 2:

Toner

Apply with a cotton pad and sweep over the skin.

Step 3:

Serum

Apply directly to skin or on fingers and pat across your face.

Step 4:

Spot Treatments

Many spot treatments are drying, so be sure to use them directly on acne or scars as needed.

Step 5:

Moisturizer

Avoid any areas you used spot treatments. Gently rub moisturizer in.

Step 6:

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a daytime essential, even in cloudy Oregon.

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Local Salons on a college budget Words by Hilary Kearns | Photo by Keven Salazar

Keeping up on your hair care, nails or tan can be hard when you are a broke college student, but when it comes to health and wellness, beauty care is essential.

From getting your hair trimmed to keeping your nails long and strong, these things are important for the health of your body, not to mention they make you feel good about yourself. Luckily, some of the local salons here in Eugene understand the needs for affordable beauty and offer reasonable prices or even student discounts.

Here are the best salons near campus and what services they offer.

Dudley’s Kampus Barber Shop The Kampus Barber Shop has been around since 1922 and always been a hot spot to go for men’s haircuts. They keep things traditional there with clean lines and smooth shaves. Haircuts are just $15, clean-ups and beard trims are $10, and buzz cuts are $12. If you’re looking for low prices and a sense of community, this is the barber shop for you.

Luna This new salon, which opened earlier this year, specializes in blonde colors, balayage, full foils, dip manicures and hard wax facial waxing. Owner Aurora Kephart specializes in brow rehab and offers tinting services for just $15. You can book online with the stylists’ individual Instagram pages. The salon is a small, chic place that’s close to campus and is certain to make you feel comfortable and stylish.

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Silver Lining Nail Studio

If you’re looking for a nail salon with affordable prices and a wide variety of services, this is the place for you. This salon does it all when it comes to nails: gel nails, French manicures, pedicures, and nail repair. Gel nail enhancements start at $40 for a 90 minute session, French manicures start at $35 for 60 minutes, manicures start at only $25 and go up with extra services such as adding a moisturizing mask or a scrub. Nail repair treatment starts at just $10 for 30 minutes, perfect for when you’re ready to get rid of your grown out set.

Modern Betty Salon This is the salon to go to for waxing and eyebrow services. Eyebrow sculpting is $20 and a lash tint is $18. A whole face wax which includes lip, brow and jaw goes for only $45, while bikini and chest waxes are $55. Return bikini waxes are only $45 as incentive to visit again for returning beauties.

IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage Because it is a beauty school and the students are still learning, IBS is a great place for discounted services with still great results. Hair cuts are only $8, deep conditioning treatments are $15-$20, all over color or bleach starts at $35, and cornrows are $25. Manicures are only $8, and a fill or removal is $15, making it easy to change your mind and not lose any money in the process. Facials are $20 and a one-hour massage is only $25 – so many savings and so many options!

G N I R I H NOWT EXECUTIVES N U O orking C w t C e n A d g an l trainin

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The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) members serve as liaisons between the University Health Center (UHC) and the student body. Members work directly with the Executive Director and other UHC directors to advise on health policies, create health initiatives, and ensure the best healthcare and prevention is available and accessible for all UO students.

This academic year the Outreach Team in SHAC focused on the planning and execution of the first ever Health and Wellness Resource Fair, which will take place on Monday, April 8th, 2019.

This initiative was developed to educate and raise awareness about the multitude of resources available for students on campus that promote health and wellness for all. Organizations will range from nutritional services, mental health services, fitness, sexual health, and much more! It’s no secret that the college population faces a wide range of health disparities, so SHAC is taking the initiative to connect students to health-based resources that will allow our campus community to pursue optimal health and wellness leading to academic success!

Do you know an exceptional student worthy of an award?

Help celebrate the 7th annual 25 Ducks and nominate students at 25Ducks.com until Sunday, April 21st.

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LET’S TRY ANOTHER POSITION Words by Dana Sparks | Photos by Kimberly Harris

Navigating painful sex

“ Sex shouldn’t be something you

tolerate. It’s something that should be pleasurable to both, or all parties

“

Despite the breadth of the first Sexual Wellness Guide published by the Daily Emerald, many common issues and questions have come up still regarding how to have better (and safer) sex. While much of this article will pull concepts from the original, it has been updated to specifically address pain with sex.

“Sex shouldn’t be something you tolerate. It’s something that should be pleasurable to both, or all parties,” said Kim Marks, the owner and founder of As You Like It Pleasure Shop and Eugene Intimate Health Center.

As a principle for this guide, developed with Marks, there isn’t sexual wellness without pleasure — and if there’s pain (the kind not asked for, you kinksters), it’s unlikely that you’re receiving the pleasure that you deserve.

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Marks said she is frequently visited by women and people with vulvas visiting her shop that have reported feeling pain with sex — often meaning pain or discomfort to the cervix and/or vagina during penetration — but admit that they thought it was normal so they haven’t said anything.

In fact, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 75 percent of women will experience pain during intercourse. While this study does not use language inclusive of gender identity, the information offered isn’t restricted to cisgendered women.

Though pain with sex is a pervasive issue, there are many options for addressing this.

Where is it happening? Assess if it is irritation along the walls of the vagina — you might need lube or it might be your body telling you it doesn’t agree with the material of the condom, finger cot, glove or toy.

A commonly experienced pain is the head of a penis or the tip of a toy going too far and colliding with the base or opening of the cervix — something that can often be fixed by repositioning. Repeated collision between a toy or penis and your cervix can be very traumatic, causing bruising and even lacerations.

“Finding a way to say ‘Let’s try a different position’ could be the difference between a bad night and a great night for somebody,” said Marks. “Most people, if you ask them, do not want to be responsible for delivering a bad sexual experience — they do not want to be a failure as a lover.”

Marks recommended that the receiving person try being on top — though this might require a little strength, it provides the ability to more directly control how deeply your partner penetrates.

If this is difficult or not possible, there are options for being on your back or the bottom of the position.

“There is sex position furniture, or just pillows, that you can put under your back that arch, holding your body in a different position that pulls your cervix farther away,” said Marks. “And now, there’s this amazing new product called the Ohnut that helps [as a physical buffer] as partners are trying to figure out each other’s bodies.”

Products like the Ohnut would be placed around the penetrating toy or penis and would make it so that the tip does not actually reach the cervix. The furniture or your pillows would allow you to support your back, bottom or self otherwise, if not used to arch the back while laying down.

It’s important to acknowledge that your body is constantly experiencing different cycles and changes. A position, product or toy that worked a week ago, or even yesterday, may not exactly work as well today or tomorrow.

Depending on where a person is in their menstrual cycle or how their hormones are functioning, the cervix might be hanging out higher or lower. Similarly, hormones and proximity to menstruation dictates how well we are able to lubricate ourselves, making the right lube even more important to find.

While it remains true that your activities and partner will largely determine what type of lube to use, it should now be mentioned that many lubes contain ingredients that are not the best for our body on a cellular level — they can actually dry out the vagina by pulling moisture out of the mucosal cells, said Marks. Mucosal cells is another way of referencing the membrane-y surface of the vagina — it’s similarly found in our nose and under our eyelids.

When the mucosal cells of the vagina dry, it can cause micro-tearing and irritation — neither pleasurable nor safe, as the micro-tears make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections.

“Picking a lube that has the right osmolality and pH for us is a good start. Then there are still different textures and formulas [to choose from],” said Marks. Osmolality is the movement of water through your cells — in this situation specifically, it is referencing the biological interaction between your body and the lube.

Just as asking for help to find the right lube would be okay, it’s okay to preface sex with asking your partner(s) for patience. Make it sexy and slow your pleasure down to give yourself time to make adjustments and fully feel your body or your partner’s body or just outright ask them. If communication, patience and attention to pleasure don’t alleviate pain with sex, talking to a doctor is recommended.

Many issues might be addressed personally, however, some pains might be you or your partner’s body asking for help.

Pleasurable, safer sex is a lot of advocating for your health and safety, which doesn’t sound so fun in such clinical terms. But without being vocal, it’s hard to expect someone to know the ways around your body, especially when you are experiencing pain.

Talking about or addressing pain can be intimidating, however, it might just open the door to better health and better sex.

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Words by Lucille Shadburne

Cascade Health This nonprofit provides services for both the old and young. They aim to serve the whole community and focus more on supporting workers and the elderly.

They provide education on healthy living along with counseling and lifelines. For workers, they focus more on employee health with things such as an Employee Assistance Program and Injury Response and Treatment. According to casadehealth.org, they “serve the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of people.”

7am - 6pm Weekdays

Your Health Needs the Nonprofits Ophelia’s Place If you’re struggling with a case of the blues or need to talk to someone, take advantage of Ophelia’s Place.

Ophelia’s Place is really a women’s resource center that instead of physical health, is more centered around mental health. Opheliasplace.net shares that they’re “dedicated to help girls make healthy life choices through empowerment, education and support.” They provide therapy, skill building classes, therapeutic and psycho-educational groups and parenting programs. They’re open 10am to 6pm and are closed on weekends. Fridays they close at 4pm.

Mon - Thur 10am - 6pm • Fri 10am - 4pm

Planned Parenthood According to their website, Planned Parenthood is known as “the nation’s largest provider of sex education.” They are also a very good resource for high-quality health care. While most people only think of Planned Parenthood as a resource for women, it serves men's health as well. They provide checkups for reproductive or sexual health issues and testing for urinary tract infections for all persons. Planned Parenthood provides services that aren’t just sexual health related as well, like screening for cholesterol, cancer, diabetes or thyroid. Along with that they also have anemia testing, pregnancy planning services and smoking cessation services.

MTWF 9:30am - 6pm Thurs 10:30am - 6pm Sat 8:30am - 4pm

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University Health Center The first stop is the University Health Center on campus. It always recommended as a place to go when feeling sick or depressed. The University Health Center provides an assortment of services to students to support their sexual, physical and mental health. They offer drop-in or scheduled counseling for students struggling with emotional challenges, a pharmacy, a clinic for getting checkups and other related services. The Health Center website claims they “are here to resolve your health concerns and help you make the most of your college experience.”

Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - noon

Well Mama Another nonprofit for women, WellMama serves as a great resource. WellMama provides services and support for women who are going through issues with pregnancy or postpartum. They provide health testing and mental health services, including help with mood or anxiety disorders.

According to their website their mission is to provide “information, advocacy, and access to appropriate treatment to women” along with “raising awareness in the community about prenatal mental health.” WellMama is located about 1.7 miles off campus and they provide events and support groups for women.

800-896-0410