SPOKE, Nov.
Prepare your car By
Tori Sutton is the first in a three-part on winter car and driving
This series
snowbank. Make sure you are
pared a vehicle for slushy roads, a quick search on the Internet or a
safety.
anti-lock brakes and built-in trac-
I
Waterproof matches.
Other than carrying a cellphone, the most frequently suggested win-
I
Basic
Before a major snowfall, the
cles for another Ontario winter.
Cars,
much
like people, function
never pre-
Beware
of clothes be kept in the car, in case
Such
you become snowed
icing over. Driving with caution
able
quence
the conse-
a kit kept in the
should contain winter
kits
I
A
stay
small shovel to dig out
tires
I I
washer
fluid
and gas
college
take
pills
to
house.
and car
defroster or lighter in your purse or
into six
have
categories
to
had always thought that in order I would have to spend a lot of money. My refrigerator would be stuffed with Lean
stay
be healthy
my membership
Cuisines,
for
would be lost among “get healthy” and “slim down” books piled on the table. My cross trainers would be resting beside a bag of newly purchased multi-vitamins and herbal potions. Bally’s Fitness club
may quickly who
addictive. Individuals
them can develop a tolerance,
techniques, you can experience a
warm, accident-free
I?ALE1
(a
I
gradual reduction in effect) after a
quickly discovered that
possible to both save
4
(doesn’t
it
is
money and be
aisles. The suggestion was to try growing a garden. Nutritionists agree that in addition to saving you money, a garden will get you outside enjoying the air, however brisk it is becoming.
not necessary
to live in a climate to grow a garden either. Students who live in condos It’s
warm
and apartments can plant fruit trees as well. And by “fruit trees” I don’t
mean a small forest of 10-foot-tall apple and cherry trees. These trees can include tomatoes, green peppers and beans, cucumbers and zuc-
couple of weeks.
healthy through a specialized food
chini
According to the Altruis Biomedical Network online, there
and exercise program. However, as with any new regime, check with your doctor to be sure you are on
that develops
are other substances
combat
available to
problems.
More and more people are
asleep.
Some
benzodiazepines stay in the system longer, which can lead to daytime drowsiness that is comparable to a hangover.
turning to sleeping aids to
Few know however, what
insomnia.
(Photo by Stacey McCarthy)
Antihistamines These aids are notoriously I
tive in treating sleeping disorders.
time anxiety.
the drugs,
Benzodiazepines are classified as controlled substances because
daytime drowsiness
is
the potential for depend-
also produce withdrawal
tion
when stopped
abruptly,
and an
in death.
Antidepressants These sedating drugs are undergoI
ing resurgence in popularity.
don’t have the
I
can result from difficulty falling asleep, difficulty remaining asleep,
However, there continues be a problem with standardizaof herbal supplements, this
occurs because ingredients in one
company’s product may have different effects than another company’s product. Never mix herbs and
morning awakening and sleep
that isn't restorative.
However, instead of using medications,
try
some
a
warm
bath, don’t drink alcohol,
eat light dinners
and don’t go
and
insomnia are caused by
central nervous system
t^ induce sleep. They can cause unconsciousness, and in excessive doses even coma and death. These drugs the
potential
dependence and abuse.
for
kitchen sink like lentils and alfalfa,
groups - grains, milk products, meat, and fruits and vegetables.
essential minerals.
include
in
side-effects
coma and
that
death. There
is
a great need to examine herbs more closely to determine how and when they can be used safely. I Melatonin still
Melatonin ring
is
hormone
a naturally occur-
It
produced by the base of the
that is
the pineal gland at brain.
getting
regulates
natural
body
rhythms - increasing in the evening as the sunlight diminishes and decreasing in the morning as the
healthier,
maintaining
a
was my
main
concern when I started research on “getting healthier.” I
didn’t
easy
manage
solution
to
to find a quick,
problem
the
though. There’s a good chance that
you might
have to splurge on and vegetables. Only one solution was offered for students on a limited budget - a time-consuming, involved solution still
seeds and beans in a jar by your
which, contain
both
fibers
Proper, regular exercise
key
to
maintaining
a
is
and also
healthy
can be no addicharge. If you enjoy music on and crank it up - dancing
lifestyle. Efficient exercise
done
in
tional
turn is
it
your own home
a great
way
to
at
burn calories.
Other easy exercises
that
don't
require additional funds are walking,
running, yoga, pushups and
sit-ups.
Practise a safe exercise regime
fresh fruits
and
- those
and evaluate them to see if you can find an alternative. Above all, be safe and smart about what you
to
easily frustrated
continue
may chose
browsing
grocery
stick with it. Look at what food products you spend the most on
choose.
to
bed upset. consult your doctor.
result
alternatives
Don’t drink coffee after dinner, increase your exercise, take instead.
their effects together are addictive
General hypnotics
it’s
Sleep depravation
same dependence
underlying factor.
carry-
to sleeping aids.
prescription sleeping pills because
Most hypnotics are prescription aids that act by depressing the
also
to
on
suffering
from sleep deprivation are turning
early is
number of people
from a win-
important you don’t forget to consume food from each of the main
bles can get pricey. That
They
and withdrawal risks associated with benzodiazepines, and are most effective in treating insomnia where stress is the
also produce
in users.
Herbal products The use of herbal products the rise.
overdose can result
may
I
ence and substance abuse when taking them. Long-term usage can
symptoms
As
well, users build a rapid tolerance to
which
A
ineffec-
impossible, find a spare
that gets light
dow and set up a small garden box. You can even plant sprouted
fresh selection of fruits and vegeta-
sunlight returns.
cause rebound insomnia, early-morning waking and day-
there
ing yourself.
Unfortunately,
what they do.
They may
also
sleep aids really
if that is
comer
Grains like wheat, oat and rice are cheap, take very little time to prepare, are healthy and taste, good too.
combat are and
- any seed-bearing produce from a flower. You can grow these in a window box but
the right track and not overextend-
While
Some
benzodiazepines induce sleep while others decrease anxiety, allowing an individual to
fall
500mg
^
which can be grouped into six major categories. I Benzodiazepines/related drugs (includes sleeping pills) These are the drugs most commonly used for relief of sleeping sleeplessness,
winter.
be expensive
I
to
is
prevent
to
Winter can be hard on people and on cars. By properly winterizing your car and practising safe driving
of sleeping aids Being healthy
years. to
always the best way accidents.
taillights,
By Stacey McCarthy
take caffeine pills
However, sleeping
and have
line
awake but others also take sedatives at night to combat sleeplessness. Unfortunately, few know what sleep aids really are or what they do. Sleeping pills are the most popular choice by students to induce sleep.
become
in
or at a friend’s
in
Blankets and a plastic tarp
Insomnia plagues many students
Some
a hotel
windows should be kept clear of snow so the driver can see and be seen by other cars. Keeping a lock
case of a breakdown. I Extra
in
Headlights,
A small bag of sand or cat litter.
flares.
also suggested that a change
It is
stuck in snow.
spending the night in a
is
is
necessities such as:
with a trusted mechanic can be
when
device
By Stacey McCarthy
their
should also remember
Drivers
trunk of a car for emergencies.
Substances grouped throughout
get into your car.
ter safety
helpful, especially
who have
wise decision,
wiper blades, washer fluid, emergency signals, headlights and tires should all be checked. If you are not comfortdefroster,
accidents in the snow.
For those
emergency
a
box does not help when you cannot
first-aid kit.
I Small
also
is
since a lock defroster in the glove
vehicle’s exhaust system, battery,
heater,
is
important to winterize vehicles to prevent roadside failures and
I
posted speed limits do not take into account heavy snowfalls, and that bridges and overpasses are prone to
making these inspections yourself, making an appointment
differently in cold temperatures. It
tion devices.
zation techniques.
With the snowy season fast approaching, students should be taking steps to prepare their vehi-
anti-freeze.
A good set of jumper cables. I A flashlight and spare batteries.
call to a local mechanic can provide owners with basic winteri-
— Page 9
2001
for winter
familiar with car features such as
phone
12,
If these
suggestions don’t help,
Most cases of stress,
poor
sleep habits, prescription medications, depression or caffeine.
It’s
important to deal with insomnia
because continued sleeplessness results in reduced productivity, increased risk of accidents and increased risk of excessive drug
and alcohol
use.
Overall,
is
it
essential to talk to
your doctor before reaching for the pill bottle - there may be a more natural
remedy
available.
Many
students are turning to cafeteria and fast food for lunch
which can be more expensive and less healthy. (Photo by Stacey McCarthy)