March 2025 ☀️🦋 Student Health & Wellness

UHS Monthly Student Newsletter

March 2025

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UHS March 2025 Calendar 🗓️

3/1: Health Worker Program application opens - Learn more

3/3: Drop-in Flu Clinic at RecSports from 8-10 am & 3-5 pm - Learn more

3/3: Understanding Self & Others (9 weeks) - Learn more

3/3: Building Healthy Relationships - Learn more

3/4: HPV Awareness Day - Learn more about HPV

3/4-5: Drop-in Flu Clinic at MLK Student Union Lobby Area from 11 am-3 pm - Learn more

3/5: Pet Hugs at Doe Library North Entrance from 12-1 pm - Learn more

3/5: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

3/6: Drop-in Flu Clinic at University Village Albany from 1-4 pm - Learn more

3/6-7: Free Drop-in Nutrition Counseling every Thurs/Fri from 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

3/9: Daylight saving time (DST) starts

3/10-16: National Sleep Awareness Week - View sleep tips

3/13: Drop-in Flu Clinic at University Village Albany from 1-4 pm - Learn more

3/17-21: Do You! Week at UC Berkeley - Learn more

3/19: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

3/20: Spring Equinox

3/21: Free Rapid HIV testing - Learn more

3/21: SHEP application due - Learn more

3/24-28: UC Berkeley Spring Break

3/28-30: UHS Closed (Cesar Chavez Day) - View After-Hour Care

3/31: International Transgender Day of Visibility - Views TransCare services

Prepare for Daylight Savings on Sunday, March 9, 2025 ☀️

Daylight saving time (DST) starts every second Sunday in March. Clocks shift one hour ahead, meaning we lose one hour of sleep. Ease into earlier wake-up times by going to sleep and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day for at least 4 days before the time change.

UHS has various sleep-related resources available for students, including an ongoing Holistic Sleep Wellness workshop, free mental health appointments for all UC Berkeley students, and health coach appointments to discuss ways to improve sleep.

More tips and information at uhs.berkeley.edu/sleep.

Reminder: Use HOF Balance by May 13, 2025 💰

Did you get an email about HOF funding at the beginning of the fall semester? Check your HOF Fund balance in your Cal 1 Card account, and ensure you have used all your allocated funds! Not sure what to use the funds for? The UHS Pharmacy sells over-the-counter products at discounted prices for students! Stop by to see what's available, or visit the UHS website for a list.

HOF is available on a first-come, first-served basis through May 13, 2025, or until the pool of funds is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Fried Rice 🍚

Have some leftover rice? Use it to make an easy fried rice. Add a package of frozen veggies, eggs, and soy sauce, and it’s ready to eat!

Tofu Crumbles 🌮

Need an easy and affordable protein you can prep for dinner or the week ahead? This recipe for Tofu Crumbles can be added to tacos, burritos, rice, salad, etc.

Ear Health When Using Headphones & Earbuds 🎧

Volume control: Keep volume at a moderate level, ideally around 60% of the maximum volume.

Listening time: Take breaks frequently and limit headphone use to around 60 minutes at a time.

Headphone type: Choose over-the-ear headphones over earbuds as they distribute sound pressure more evenly.

Noise cancellation: Consider noise-canceling headphones to allow for lower listening volumes.

Ear hygiene: Regularly clean your headphones to prevent ear infections.

Monitor for signs: Be aware of any discomfort like ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or pain after using headphones.

Regular hearing checks: Get your hearing checked for periodic hearing assessments, especially if you frequently use headphones or notice a change in your hearing.

Get Involved at UHS: Apply for the HWP or SHEP! 🙋🏽

Health Worker Program: Health Workers at UC Berkeley provide peer advising and health education in their communities to help students find resources and build wellness practices. Applications are due on Friday, April 4, 2025. See details and apply at uhs.berkeley.edu/hwp.

Sexual Health Education Program: The UHS Sexual Health Education Program (SHEP) is now recruiting! Become a peer health educator dedicated to promoting sex positivity and harm reduction at UC Berkeley. Applications are due Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5 pm. If you have any questions, contact Robin Mills, SHEP Staff Coordinator, at robinmills@berkeley.edu.

Save a Life, Call 911: AOD Bystander Intervention Laws 🚑

Help prevent an overdose. Find Narcan and fentanyl test strips on campus. If you see any signs of possible overdose, call for medical assistance. Worried about getting in trouble?

California’s Good Samaritan Law will protect you: If you call 911 to get medical assistance at the scene of an overdose, you cannot be criminally charged with simple possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, or being under the influence (CHSC Section 1799.102)

UC Berkeley’s Responsible Bystander Policy will protect you: Students who seek medical assistance for a fellow student involved with alcohol or controlled substances will not be held accountable for a Student Code of Conduct violation if they have been drinking or using controlled substances themselves.

You don’t have to be a hero to do the right thing. Make the call!

Body Peace Affirmations ☮️

I am worthy of taking up space
I am not defined by my weight, shape, or size
I am learning to make peace with my body
I will treat my body with respect and kindness
I will trust my body's wisdom and honor its need
I will challenge weight bias and celebrate body diversity
I will not allow my mind to bully my body
I will not compare my body to others
I will not body shame myself or others

Enjoy Your Spring Break! 😎

We hope you can rest, relax, and rejuvenate during spring break. According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, there are seven types of rest. Which one do you need?

Physical rest (passive or active): sleeping, napping, yoga, stretching, and massage therapy.

Mental rest: taking short breaks throughout the day, doing wellness practices, or journaling before bedtime.

Sensory rest: rest from lights, computer screens, noise, etc.

Creative rest: surrounding yourself with inspiration while simultaneously taking the pressure off of having to "do" something with it.

Emotional rest: space to be authentic or with people who provide emotional peace.

Social rest: recharging your "social battery."

Spiritual rest: prayer, meditation, volunteering, nature retreat, etc.

Try it Out: Awe Walks ✨

Experiencing awe can help remind us that we're part of something larger than ourselves, helping us when we're feeling bogged down by day-to-day concerns. Take an awe walk and see how often you can experience awe. Curious about the research? Learn about the benefits of awe walks.

Write it Out: Journal Prompt 📝

Rest is critical to your well-being. Not sure what kind of rest you need? Respond to this prompt: What would you do tomorrow if you had no obligations or restraints? Reflect on your response and see if there are elements you can incorporate into your spring break plans.

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