Health and Wellness Newsletter

National College Health Assessment (NCHA) Student Health Survey

Take this important student health survey and be entered to win big prizes!

Why take the NCHA survey?

• Shape the future: The data collected via NCHA will be used to inform the direction of health and wellness services and initiatives at Brandeis.
• Be counted: Help ensure the survey results accurately represent the diversity of the Brandeis student community.

Here's what you need to know:

• On October 7, check your Brandeis email for your unique link to the survey.
• This survey is completely anonymous; there is no way to connect a response to a specific individual.
• The survey takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
• All students who complete the survey will be automatically entered in a random drawing to win one of nine prizes: A Macbook Air, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, 40" TV, Airpods Pro, Beats Solo 4, $100 Grubhub gift card, $100 Steam gift card, and a Yeti tumbler.

Apply to be a Bridge to Wellness (BTW) Peer Educator

Do you care about the wellbeing of your campus community? Are you passionate about health issues affecting students today? Looking to gain work experience in public health or health promotion? If so, this may be the job for you!

The Office of Health and Wellness Promotion is looking for new BTW Peer Educators for the 2025 calendar year (Jan-Dec 2025). Peer educators work 4-6 hours per week at $15/hour.

To apply:

1. Complete the application in Workday (and don't forget to upload your resume)
2. Complete the BTW Applicant Questionnaire

Applications close October 6 at 11:55 pm.

For more information, you can email btw@brandeis.edu or attend the Info Session today, October 1, at 6 pm.

Hiring Info Session with Bridge to Wellness

Tuesday, October 1

6 - 7 pm

Shapiro Campus Center room 332

Brandeis Health Center Flu & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics

This fall season, the Brandeis Health Center is offering FREE flu and Covid-19 vaccines!

Be sure to register first before arriving to your appointment.

These vaccine clinics will be located all around campus on different dates for your convenience.

Dates/Times and Locations:

• October 15, 1-4 pm, Hassenfeld, Geller Conference Room
• October 29, 1-4 pm, Gosman, Napoli Room
• November 5, 1-4 pm, Usdan, International Lounge
• November 12, 1-4 pm, Shapiro Campus Center, Multipurpose Room
• November 19, 1-4 pm, Skyline, Multipurpose Room

Protect Yourself Against Respiratory Illnesses

Autumn and winter bring pumpkins, sweaters, and holiday festivities. But they also bring back respiratory illnesses like the common cold, flu, COVID-19, and more. As the cold season approaches, here are some ways that you can protect yourself and others from getting sick: 

Get vaccinated. Set up an appointment to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines! The good news is that you don’t have to leave campus to do so. Our very own Brandeis Health Center is offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccines every Tuesday starting October 15th. Be sure to register first before arriving to your appointment.

Minimize contact with other people when you feel sick. This can mean wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, or even staying home. Doing this can help prevent the spread of illness, and it might even give you more time to rest up so you can feel better sooner.

Take care of your body. When feeling unwell, the best thing you can do for yourself is to be kind to and nourish your body. This means eating three meals a day, drinking plenty of water, and going to bed earlier. Fueling your body and letting it rest can speed up your recovery process. 

We hope that you enjoy the autumn weather in good health!

Signs of UTIs & How to Prevent Them

What is an urinary tract infection, or a UTI? A UTI happens when bacteria infects your urinary tract, a system of organs including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Though common, UTIs are serious and symptoms - no matter how small - should always be taken seriously.

Common symptoms include:

• A burning sensation when urinating
• Having to urinate more frequently 
• Being only able to urinate small amounts
• Pelvic pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, visit the Brandeis Health Center.

Preventing UTIs can be easy. All it takes are these simple steps to implement into your daily life: 

• Practice bathroom hygiene. It is important to make sure you are clean after every bathroom visit. This ensures that bacteria does not linger and enter your body. 
• Urinate before and after sexual activity. Sexual activity can increase the risk of bacteria spreading and traveling to your urethra. Urinating before and after sex can decrease the likelihood of this happening. 
• Go to the bathroom often. Holding in your urine significantly increases the risk of a UTI because it means that you are keeping harmful waste inside of you. Listen to your body; if it is saying to go use the bathroom, please go!
• Stay hydrated. Drinking more water dilutes the bacteria in your urine. It can also make you urinate more frequently, allowing you to flush out the waste more frequently too. 

It is important to take care of yourself, and that includes preventing UTIs! 

Alcohol Safety Tips for Halloween

As Halloween approaches this month, it is important to brush up on your alcohol safety knowledge. Remember, plenty of Brandeis students enjoy the holiday without alcohol, but if you choose to drink (or party with those who drink) these tips can help you stay safe and have fun.

1. Plan ahead: Designate a sober driver or arrange for a ride service before going out. Set a meeting spot if your group gets separated.
2. Pace yourself: Sip your drink slowly and avoid taking multiple shots in a short period. Alternate between alcoholic beverages and water to stay hydrated.
3. Eat before and while drinking: Eating a substantial meal before drinking helps slow alcohol absorption. Snack throughout the night to maintain your energy and alcohol tolerance.
4. Know your limits: Be mindful of how much you’ve had and recognize when it’s time to stop. Avoid drinking games or activities that encourage excessive consumption.
5. Stay with friends: Stick with a group, and never leave anyone behind. If someone seems too intoxicated, help them get home safely.
6. Avoid mixing substances: Do not mix alcohol with drugs or medications, as this can lead to dangerous side effects or increased impairment.
7. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning: Symptoms include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, and unconsciousness. Call BEMCo 781-736-3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus) immediately if someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning.
8. Respect others' limits: Don’t pressure anyone into drinking or participating in activities they aren’t comfortable with. Make sure everyone feels safe and in control of their choices.

Be on the lookout for an upcoming Bridge to Wellness (BTW) Drink Pour event happening on October 23rd at Massell Quad from 4:00-7:00 PM. Come and learn how to pour a standard drink, alcohol safety tips, and what to do in an emergency.

In the meantime, if you are curious about your drinking habits and how they compare to your peers, take a confidential alcohol assessment. This will provide you with personalized feedback on your habits, risk factors, and strategies to reduce harm.

Get your personalized feedback

Seasonal Depression & Self-Care Tips

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many people find themselves dealing with a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs during specific seasons, usually fall or winter, and affects millions of people, bringing feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and isolation during the darker months.

Common symptoms of SAD include: 

• Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
• Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed
• Social withdrawal and increased sensitivity to rejection
• Grouchiness and anxiety
• Excessive tiredness (fatigue)
• Decreased ability to focus
• Headaches

However, it’s crucial to remember that you're not alone! Don't dismiss that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. There are steps and treatments available to help you.

Here are some ways to manage SAD:

• Exposure to sunlight: Spending time outside or near a window can help ease symptoms.
• Light therapy: If increasing sunlight is not possible, exposure to a special light for a certain amount of time each day may help. These lamps are on loan at the Brandeis Library, and there is one available in the Oasis Wellness Lounge.
• Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy can help change distorted views, improve interpersonal relationship skills, and identify and manage stressors.
• Lastly, don’t forget to rest. Rest is an essential part of taking care of our mental health.

Read more on Headspace

Remember, you have support here at Brandeis. The Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) and the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion (HAWP) are always here to help.