April 2025 🍊🥑 Student Health & Wellness

UHS Monthly Student Newsletter

April 2025

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UHS April 2025 Calendar 🗓️

4/1: Limited Services at UHS - Learn more

4/1: National Stress Awareness Month - Learn more

4/1: National Cannabis Awareness Month - Learn more

4/1: Sexual Assault Awareness Month at UC Berkeley - Learn more

4/1: Public Health Careers Panel at the Tang Center Section Club, 3-4 pm. Email robinmills@berkeley.edu for more info.

4/1: Reproductive Rights Panel and Resource Fair at Multicultural Center (MCC) from 4-6 pm.

4/2: Pet Hugs at Doe Library North Entrance from 12-1 pm - Learn more

4/2: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

4/3-4: Free Drop-in Nutrition Counseling every Thurs/Fri from 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

4/3, 4/10, 4/17, & 4/24: SHEP Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30 am-1:30 pm.

4/4: Health Worker Program applications due - Learn more

4/8: SHEP 3 in 30 Presents UC Berkeley & Reproductive Rights at Tang Center, Section Club from 4-4:30 pm.

4/9, 4/16, 4/23, & 4/30: Empowerment Through Expression Workshop - Learn more

4/15: SHEP 3 in 30 Presents Transgender Rights & Disparities at Tang Center, Section Club from 4-4:30 pm.

4/16: SHAC tabling event on Memorial Glade from 12-3 pm.

4/16: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

4/17 & 4/24: Do I Even Belong Here: Understanding, Unlearning, & Uprooting Imposter Phenomenon - Learn more

4/25: Free Rapid HIV Antibody Testing from 12-3 pm - Learn more

4/26: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Learn more

April is National Stress Awareness Month 🧘🏽

UC Berkeley students face high amounts of stress.

Stress is a normal part of life, and can’t be avoided entirely, but it can be managed. Learn more about stress management strategies, daily habits to reduce stress, and relaxation techniques to change your approach to stressful moments. Learn more at uhs.berkeley.edu/stress.

Cannabis Harm Reduction 🪴

If you are considering using cannabis, here are some tips that you can use to reduce your risk of harm and bad experiences.

Avoid cannabis smoke if possible: Cannabis smoke contains tar and toxins. The safest choice is to use a vaporizer.
Take shallow puffs, not deep inhalations: About 95% of the THC in the smoke is absorbed in the first few seconds, so you don’t need to puff hard or hold your breath.
Leave tobacco out of the mix: Tobacco contains many cancer-causing toxins, so it's safer to smoke cannabis by itself.
Water bongs are not as safe as joints: Bongs filter out more THC than tars since water tends to absorb THC. This requires you to puff harder, increasing the amount of tar that is inhaled. Plus, pipes and bongs with plastic/rubber give off toxic fumes.
Stay away from the steering wheel: Cannabis can impair your motor coordination, judgment, and other skills related to safe driving. It's safest to wait three to four hours after using cannabis before driving.
Trust your best judgment and be safe!

Veggie Slaw 🥕

This colorful and delicious recipe for a red cabbage and carrot slaw is easy to make and makes a great side that can be paired with any protein of your choice.

Garlic Soy Tofu 🧄

This garlic soy tofu recipe is ready in 30 minutes and has a few simple ingredients! Pair with a veggie slaw, rice, etc. for a complete meal.

Laptop Ergonomics 💻

Want to improve your ergonomics when using a laptop? Try these tips to reduce stress and injuries.

Short-Term Use (Less than an hour)

Position the laptop on your lap to help maintain straight wrists while typing.
Consider using a lap desk to keep your head in an upright posture.
Choose a chair that offers comfort and support, whether sitting upright or in a slightly reclined position.
Adjust the screen to promote a neutral posture.
Aim to maintain an upright position; try to avoid hunching your shoulders or leaning forward.

Long-Term Use (More than an hour)

Maintain a neutral neck posture by positioning the top of the screen at eye level.
Utilize an external monitor or laptop stand, or position your laptop on reams of paper or books to adjust the screen height.
Use a separate keyboard and mouse if available.
If necessary, locate items that your feet can rest on and provide support.

Learn more at uhs.berkeley.edu/studentergo.

Managing News and Social Media Consumption 🌐

Schedule news check-ins: Designate specific times of the day to catch up on the news instead of scrolling throughout the day.

Curate your feeds: Unfollow accounts that spread misinformation, promote negativity, or don't align with your desired information intake.

Diversify your sources: Follow a variety of reliable news outlets to get different perspectives.

Limit app usage: Utilize built-in app timers or third-party tools to monitor and limit your time spent on social media.

Turn off notifications: Disable push notifications from news and social media apps to reduce distractions.

Create "no phone zones": Designate specific areas or times where you actively avoid checking your phone.

Consider "news detox": Take breaks from news consumption to avoid information overload.

Focus on quality over quantity: Prioritize reliable news sources with in-depth reporting over sensational headlines.

Be mindful of your emotions: If news is causing significant stress, consider reducing exposure or seeking alternative content.

Self-Compassion Affirmations 🫶🏻

I accept myself as I am.
I will practice patience with myself.
I deserve happiness and joy.
Every past version of me has helped me get to where I am today.
I accept the best and worst aspects of who I am.
I am free to let go of others' judgments.
I deserve compassion, tenderness, and empathy from myself.
I am enough just as I am.
I release myself with forgiveness from today and move forward with self-love to tomorrow.
I'm not the first person to have felt this way, and I won't be the last, but I'm growing.

Try it Out: Emotion Labeling ✨

Whenever you feel a strong emotion, label it in your mind. For example, if you're feeling nervous, mentally acknowledge it by saying, "This is anxiety." The simple act of labeling can reduce the impact of the emotion. Need help? Use this Feelings Wheel.

Write it Out: Journal Prompt 📝

Finding support when you're feeling overwhelmed begins with reflecting internally. Respond to this prompt: What do you need when you're feeling overwhelmed? Consider what helps you feel better when you're feeling stressed & reach out for support.