B12 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010
HEALTH
production office: extension 27117
in partnership with SHEC
Loving someone from a distance Long-distance relationships require communication and trust JESSICA LYDIATE SILHOUETTE STAFF
E
verybody seems to have an opinion about long-distance relationships, and many people either subtly or openly show disdain for them. For example, you introduce your dad to the new guy in your life and he says, “He seems nice, but he is leaving.” Or, you mention the possibility of a long distance relationship to your friend and he says, “I could never do that, how do you trust someone when they are that far away?” At least today’s separated lovebirds can use email, phone, and video-chat to connect instantly in real time. In the not too distant past, long distance relationships were sustained with heart-felt letters in the mail, or perhaps delivered by a messenger pigeon, if you were really lucky. Long-distance relationships are manageable as long as some basic elements are present. Firstly, trust is of the utmost importance. Trust is an integral part of any healthy relationship, but when your partner is far away, possibly in another country, it is harder to suppress neurotic worrying, and a bit easier to imagine your loved one in compromising situations. Making sure your partner is trustworthy, establishing an open and honest relationship with him or her, and having faith in your own ability to make good decisions are all important elements of long-distance relationships.
Communication is another challenge in a long-distance relationship. You want to be able to connect with your partner often, but you also want to avoid having forced conversations and being frustrated with one another when you cannot think of anything to talk about. Long distance relationships involve a lot of verbal communication because other intimate activities typical of romantic relationships are limited. Be honest about when you want to talk and when you are not into it. Also, search the Internet for long-distance relationship activities. There are a wide range of suggestions, from watching a movie simultaneously, to sexy-phone or video dates, to making characters in second-life and going on virtual dates. Although it has its downfalls, being in a long-distance relationship tends to make people learn to communicate well verbally, since you cannot use physical distractions to avoid points of conflict. You also have the benefit of more time to compose yourself and evaluate each situation to ensure that you behave appropriately in tense situations. Despite their challenges, longdistance relationships have their perks. Anticipation makes spending time together seem more precious and exciting. You can easily maintain your individuality and not be crowded by the relationship. You do not have to feel guilty if you are busy with other things and only have time to talk on the phone at night. These benefits might be
JONATHON FAIRCLOUGH / SILHOUETTE STAFF
What did people do before Skype? Having spicy video chats is one way to keep the romance alive over a distance.
especially valuable for students, who are often over-committed. In a long distance relationship you are less likely to feel like you need to choose between spending time with friends and time with your partner. However, all these benefits can lead to a potential downfall if they become the driving force behind the relationship and create the temp-
tation to leave the relationship as long distance indefinitely. The goal of a long-distance relationship is the same as any other long-term relationship–to grow closer with your partner and potentially spend your lives together. Spending time face-to-face with your partner and eventually being in the same place is hopefully the desired outcome of
any long-distance relationship. Though it might be a new and challenging step, being together and exploring a more intimate relationship should be exciting. Long-distance relationships can work; with some effort, communication, and a sprinkling of exciting encounters, they just might result in something special.
Water is the magic cure for hangovers Did you JESSICA LYDIATE SILHOUETTE STAFF
The morning after, or some time in the middle of the night, you wake up with a splitting headache and a terrible feeling in your stomach. You groan and whine, “I am so hungover!” Everyone you know will advise you on a different way to cure your hangover. Most remedies involve drinking lots of water, eating something, and sleeping. Drinking water is very important, as your headache is likely the result of dehydration. Alcohol increases the rate at which water leaves your body and causes you to become dehydrated. Drink a few glasses of water right away when you wake up with a hangover. Do not expect to feel instantly better when you hydrate yourself, but know that drinking water is a crucial first step in getting rid of your hangover. You can even potentially prevent a hangover by drinking water before you go to sleep drunk. Many people also recommend a bottle of Gatorade on a hangover-ridden morning, as it is full of electrolytes that help restore salts to your body. Eating can also aid your recovery from a hangover. Hangovers often include feelings of nausea, so try and eat something easy on your stomach. Lots of people find that bland items, like bananas or bread, do the trick. If you have a slightly bigger appetite, or feel daring, you could even try eating a meal. Lots of people have morning-after meals
they claim cures their hangover blues. Some common ones that are convenient for McMaster students are pancakes or French toast at Pancake Houses and waffles or the “Egg McMaster” at Commons. Just like drinking water, eating something before you go to sleep can also help prevent waking up with a hangover the next morning. Sleep is your friend if you are suffering from a hangover. This strategy mostly applies to people who are sleep deprived from the night before. Many drunk people tend to suffer from sleep depravation, as being intoxicated prevents individuals from entering the deep sleep phase of the sleep cycle. If you wake up after just a few hours sleep, try to have a drink and a snack and then get back to bed for a few more hours. If you wake up hungover after a full night’s sleep (eight hours or more), then get out of bed, even if you feel groggy. Grab some water, eat a meal, and try and get on with your daily routine. Lounging in bed is not likely to make you feel that much better. In fact, some sources suggest that exercise may help you beat your hangover. Just make sure that if you hit the gym, you are properly hydrated first. Hangover cures come in all shapes and sizes. If you hear one you like, think it sounds reasonable, and are certain it is safe then give it a try. However, if you really want to avoid a nasty hangover in the morning, the only thing to do is drink The doctor orders a tall glass of water as a remedy for your hangover. less or avoid alcohol altogether.
WILL VAN ENGEN / PHOTO EDITOR
know?
Heavy legs is characterized by an unpleasant sensation of pain and heaviness in the lower limbs. Legs may appear swollen or feel very tired. Students may suffer from heavy legs, as it is often caused by long periods of sitting or lack of exercise. Many of the students who spend hours hunched over their books in Mills, Health Sciences, or Thode certainly fit that description. Heavy legs may also be caused by venous insufficiency, which can be accompanied by varicose veins or thread veins. Others believe that the condition is caused by cellulite. Heavy legs seems to primarily affect people in France, with the French consuming well over a third of the entire world’s supply of heavy legs medicine. Remedies for heavy legs are fairly holistic including tea, essential oil massages, and walking in the sea. Other treatments are wearing compression products like support stockings and taking water tablets, which are diuretics. Dr. Auber, a Parisian GP, says that heavy legs is one of the most commonly seen illnesses in the entire country. Due to the small demographic that it affects, many medical practitioners believe that “heavy legs” is in fact only a sign of hypochondria, meaning it has no medical basis. However, if being diagnosed with heavy legs can get you a perscription to walk in the sea or for a massage, it may be worth the trip to the doctor.