Health and Wellness Newsletter

@BrandeisWellness Follow Contest

Are you following @brandeiswellness on Instagram? Follow us for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card, JBL bluetooth speaker, or Brandeis crew neck sweatshirt!

Rules:

1. You must follow (or already be following) @brandeiswellness on Instagram
2. You must reply to the contest post and tag at least three friends in the comments.
3. Share this post to your story.

Winners will be announced on April 10th!

BORGbusters!

Come join Bridge to Wellness for an alcohol safety event where you will learn how to pour a standard drink, how much alcohol is typically contained in a BORG, and how to recognize signs of alcohol poisoning. Drop by to learn more so you can have *safe* fun at Springfest!

Wed. April 10 & Thu. April 11

12 pm - 2 pm

Blue Booths in Fellows Garden

Follow BTW on Instagram

Workshop: How To Find an Off-Campus Therapist

Looking for an off-campus therapist? Unsure about what to look for, how to find a therapist/psychiatrist/program, or how to navigate insurance?

Anna and Vanessa from the Brandeis Counseling Center are holding a workshop to walk you through the process and answer questions. Drop ins welcome!

Monday April 15, 2024

1:00 PM

Brandeis Counseling Center

For questions or to sign up, email Anna at annameilman@brandeis.edu.

Join the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

Are you passionate about promoting mental health awareness? Do you want to make a positive impact on campus health initiatives?

Are you interested in creating a supportive community for students' health and well-being? Join the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)!

SHAC is a team of volunteer undergraduate and graduate students interested in health-related concerns on Brandeis's campus. SHAC is open to all students looking to be involved in health advocacy.

Sign up

April Events with Headspace

Reducing Stress: Manage tension and stress, even when times are tough

(30-minute meditation)

Thursday, April 4, 2024

12pm ET

Sign Up

Can’t make a session? Don’t worry — if you register, you’ll receive a link to the recording.

You do not need a Headspace account to attend, but remember that all Brandeis students can create an account for free.

BORGs: Are They Safer?

BORG's, otherwise known as "Black Out Rage Gallons," are an interesting contradiction because, despite their name, they are sometimes said to be safer or healthier than other forms of drinking.

But is it true?

BORGs are created by taking a gallon water jug, dumping out about half the water, and adding around a third of a handle* to a full handle of hard alcohol, electrolytes and flavorings - which sometimes contain caffeine.

*A handle of hard alcohol is approximately 17 standard drinks (1.5 ounce shots) of hard liquor.

Some claim that BORGs are safer/healthier because:

• The water and electrolytes will keep you hydrated and prevent you from getting hungover the next day.
• You know how much alcohol is in your BORG because you make it yourself.
• Your drink has a cap, so it is less likely to be spiked.

But here are some important facts to consider:

• ☠️ 17 standard drinks is a toxic amount of alcohol. Water and electrolytes will not prevent or counteract the effects of consuming a toxic amount of alcohol.
• 🥭 The flavorings (juices, powders, sodas, etc.) can make it hard to taste the alcohol, and easier to over-consume by mistake.
• The water and electrolytes in the BORG will not necessarily prevent a hangover. Alcohol is a diuretic, which will increase urine production and increase dehydration. There are also other factors that contribute to hangovers, such as toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism, inflammation, and disruption of sleep patterns, none of which are offset by extra water.
• ☕ Adding caffeine to a BORG increases risk. When mixing alcohol and caffeine, the stimulant effects of the caffeine make drinkers feel more awake and likely to consume more alcohol. Caffeine can also mask the depressant effects of the alcohol, so it's harder for a drinker to know when they've had too much.
• 💊 The cap on a BORG does not eliminate risk of drug-facilitated sexual assault, especially if the BORG is shared, passed around, or left unattended. Keep in mind that the drug most commonly used to facilitate sexual assault is alcohol.

If you want to participate in the BORG trend, keep these tips in mind:

• You don't have to put alcohol in your BORG! Remember that 34% of Brandeis undergraduates do not drink. Make a zero-proof (mocktail) BORG. No one even has to know.
• Measure how many standard drinks you add to your BORG. Remember that 1 standard drink of hard alcohol is 1 shot, or 1.5 ounces.
• Be thoughtful about the amount of alcohol you add to your BORG. You can use a Blood Alcohol Content Calculator to estimate how many standard drinks will keep you at a "buzzed" state (aim for a .05 BAC).
• Do not add caffeine to your BORG.
• Drink at a slower pace over an extended period of time.
• Split a BORG between a small group of trusted friends.
• Remember, you don't have to finish the whole BORG.

National Alcohol Screening Day



April 4, 2024, is National Alcohol Screening Day, an initiative started by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA). On this day, people are encouraged to check in and take an alcohol self-assessment to see where they fall on the risk spectrum.

The following free online screening tools ask questions about your drinking habits and provide personalized feedback and support resources based on your responses.

Undergraduate Self-Assessment

Graduate Student Self-Assessment

Tips for Managing Job Search Stress

You researched resume writing and interview skills online, visited the Hiatt Career Center, polished your resume and cover letter, and embarked on the job search. This process can be overwhelming, especially when faced with silence from potential employers, financial worries, and the balancing act of job searching alongside schoolwork and other responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help cope with the stress:

• Take breaks: Don’t exhaust yourself by obsessively searching for jobs and crafting applications. Take regular breaks to recharge your mind with activities like reading, exercising, or socializing. These breaks can help maintain focus and reduce anxiety.
• Celebrate milestones: Recognize every step forward in your job search journey, whether it’s securing an interview, conducting a successful informational interview, or finding a promising job posting. Treat yourself to small rewards to stay motivated and positive, like eating a favorite meal, watching a favorite movie, or spending time with friends.
• Maintain positive self-talk: Job searching often involves setbacks and rejections, but it’s essential to stay optimistic. Remind yourself of your achievements, visualize your future success, and keep a constructive inner dialogue to boost confidence.
• Seek support: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, classmates, and mentors who can offer encouragement and advice during challenging times. Sharing experiences and receiving empathy can ease the burden of job search stress.
• Embrace the learning experience: View job searching as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. During this journey, you will improve your writing, networking, and negotiation skills, expand your network, and gain insights into your field. Every rejection and setback is a chance to learn and improve for future endeavors.

For more in depth information and coping strategies, view the video "Dealing with Job Search Stress" below.