UHS Monthly Student Newsletter

November 2026

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UHS November 2026 Calendar 🗓️

11/1: National Gratitude Month - Learn more

11/1: National Diabetes Month - Learn more

11/1: Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

11/3: Pet Hugs at the 4th-floor entrance of Moffitt Library near Press Cafe, 12- 1 pm - More info

11/4: California Statewide General Election - Learn more

11/4: Stress Awareness Day - Learn more

11/4: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

11/5: Expanded Capacity COVID and Flu Shot Clinic at UHS, 9-11:30 am &1-4 pm - Learn more

11/5: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/6: Expanded Capacity COVID and Flu Shot Clinic at UHS, 9-11:30 am &1-4 pm - Learn more

11/6: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/9: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/9: Food is Medicine Cooking Class, 5:30- 8 pm - More Info

11/10: World Immunization Day - Learn more

11/11: UHS Closed: Academic & Admin Holiday (Veterans Day) - View After-Hours Care

11/12: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/13-19: Transgender Awareness Week - View resources

11/13: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/16: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/18: Free Emergency Contraceptive pickup at UHS, Room 2029 (2nd floor, outside of HP), 1-2 pm - Learn more

11/18: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop at 3:30 pm via Zoom - Learn more

11/19: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/20: Free HIV Testing at the UHS Health Promotion Dept (2nd floor), 12-3 pm - Learn more

11/20: Virtual Drop-in Nutrition Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

11/25: Non-Instructional Day at UC Berkeley - Learn more

11/26-29: UHS Closed: Academic and Administrative Holiday - View After-Hours Care

11/30: SHEP Safer Sex Supply Weekly Tabling on Sproul, 11:30-1:30 pm - Learn more

Reminder: Flu & COVID Vaccines at UHS 💉

Flu Vaccines: Drop-in flu shots are available M-F, 9-11:30 am and 1- 4 p.m., in the Travel/Immunization Dept., and during Primary or Urgent Care visits. Flu shots are free for SHIP students and $107 for non-SHIP students. Bring your Cal 1 Card. Clinics are first-come, first-served. More info: uhs.berkeley.edu/flushots

COVID Vaccine: COVID shots are also available at the same time/place as above. COVID-19 vaccines are covered for SHIP students and cost $280 for non-SHIP students. More info: uhs.berkeley.edu/covidshots

Expanded-Capacity Clinics: UHS will offer flu and COVID-19 shots at expanded-capacity clinics on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6. Clinic hours are 9–11:30 am and 1–4 pm. No appointment is needed. Please bring your Cal 1 Card.

Light Therapy Lamps at UHS 💡

Election Stress 🗳️

Feeling stressed about tomorrow’s election? You’re definitely not alone. Here are a few helpful ways to manage election-related stress.

• Avoid dwelling on things you can't control: When uncertainty strikes, many people immediately imagine the worst-case scenarios. Break the habit of ruminating on negative outcomes by focusing on what you can control.
• Unplug for a while: If following the news or being on social media stresses you out, limit your media consumption. Give yourself permission to take a break.
• Connect with others: Spend time with supportive friends and allies. Talk about current issues if you need to, but stay mindful of when you feel overwhelmed.
• Check in with yourself: Acknowledge, accept, and experience your emotions without judgment, self-criticism, or an immediate need to "fix" or hide them. Although avoidance can help at times, ignoring strong emotions can have a negative impact.
• Refuel: Refuel your energy throughout the day. Step outside for a few minutes whenever you can to get some sun. Take deep breaths, drink water, get plenty of rest, practice mindfulness, and try to eat nutritious meals. Watch your caffeine intake.
• Reach out for support: UC Berkeley students can schedule FREE appointments with UHS mental health counselors, regardless of their insurance coverage. Book same-day or next-day appointments on MyUCBerkeleyHealth or by calling (510) 642-9494.

Learn more at uhs.berkeley.edu/electionstress

Night Safety 🌃

Stay safe after dark. UC Berkeley offers SafeWalk, the Night Safety Shuttle, and Door-to-Door Service. You can also carry a small flashlight, wear reflective clothing, keep your headphones off, and stay aware of your surroundings.

UHS Call for Art Proposals 🎨

Help brighten our public-facing interior walls! UHS invites currently enrolled UC Berkeley students to submit creative proposals for a new art initiative to create a more welcoming, inspiring space. Submit your proposal by December 31, 2026.

Reminders about Celebratory Food from Our Nutritionists 🍽️

You may find yourself getting a lot of messages about eating habits at social gatherings during this time of year. Just remember: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to eating! Here are a few friendly reminders from our dietitians: 

• Holiday meals are just a few of the many meals you’ll enjoy throughout the year. Not every meal can—or will—be nutritionally “perfect.”
• Taking part in celebrations and enjoying the foods that come with them can nourish us not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.
• Practice intuitive eating by tuning into your body’s hunger and fullness cues and giving yourself permission to enjoy the foods you love without guilt.
• However you eat today, your body will still need and deserve fuel tomorrow and the day after. 

Be kind to yourself as you navigate the holiday season. You can find nutrition resources on the UHS website. PLUS: We've expanded our nutrition drop-in counseling! Now available on Mondays and Wednesdays in addition to Thursdays and Fridays. It's free for all UC Berkeley students, regardless of insurance.

Setting Boundaries With Family During the Holidays 💬

Setting boundaries with family can be tough! However, healthy boundaries help keep relationships safe, respectful, and supportive. So, how do you create healthy boundaries? To establish and maintain them, you should: 1) Define your boundaries, 2) Clearly communicate your limits with family (including via text if that's easier than in person), and 3) Speak up for yourself when needed.

Some examples of boundary-setting phrases include:

• “I appreciate your concern/interest, but I am not interested in talking about that right now.”
• "I feel overwhelmed when we discuss my grades, so I'd appreciate it if we could focus on other topics during dinner".
• "School is going well, but I'd rather focus on enjoying the day. How is the pie?"
• “Thanks for inviting me. I can only stay for [30 minutes/1hour, etc.].”
• “I’m not able to commit right now, but I will think about it and get back to you.”

Setting and expressing boundaries can be challenging. If you need help with setting boundaries, you can schedule a free appointment with a UHS Health Coach to discuss better ways to communicate your needs.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness ❄️

Many people experience brief periods of sadness or feeling unlike themselves. Sometimes, these mood changes are tied to the seasons. Many feel "down" or experience the "winter blues" as days shorten in fall and winter, and feel better in spring when longer daylight hours return.

Light therapy and vitamin D treat winter-pattern SAD, while psychotherapy and antidepressants help with depression overall, including both winter- and summer-pattern SAD. If you believe you are affected by SAD, contact your Primary Care Provider to discuss the benefits and risks of different treatments and find the best option for you.

Learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Try it Out: Gratitude Practices 🤗

Research shows that gratitude practices boost mental well-being and can lead to lasting perspective shifts. Practices include keeping a gratitude journal, saying gratitude affirmations, and more. Try one of the examples listed on our Be Well webpage.

Write it Out: Journal Prompts 📝

Feeling overwhelmed? Use this prompt to understand your stress: What are your main sources of stress? Write them down to clear your mind. Approach it with curiosity, without judgment, to boost self-awareness. Can you take steps to manage your stress?