That Long Journey From The Lot To The Classroom

Photo courtesy of Flickr.com

Student parking lots all happened to be pretty far away from where students need to go. 

That walk from the parking lot or structure to class can be brutal at times and as a result many students catch the shuttle bus to save time. Although catching the shuttle can be convenient in the sense of saving time, but are students really helping themselves by catching the shuttle bus?

“My first class is in the Psy building and I park in lot 20 on the lower part of campus, so say, I have to take the shuttle or ill be late” Erin Ross, second year English major. 

That road to class can be a long one.

Yes, it is true that catching the shuttle bus can save students from being late. However, did you know that a brisk walk or run can help reduce the risk of heart disease? According to Robert Latter, MD, research shows that individuals who walked briskly were able to maintain their heart health and keep their blood pressure and cholesterol down. 

This should be excellent news for student, especially those who do not have time to visit the Recreation and Wellness center. A 15-20 minute walk is all that is needed to help maintain a healthier heart. 

Just by making the decision to walk, students are already better off health wise as opposed to those who hitch a ride on the shuttle. Walking in itself is a good exercise, especially at CSULB being that the campus is filled with hills and stairs. 

Next time you have a long journey ahead of you and you are about to step foot on that shuttle bus. Stop, and think about how much healthier it would be to embark on that journey on foot.

Feeling Stressed? Work it Out!

April and May tend to be the months in school where workloads start piling up. One common aspect that coincides with heavy workloads is high levels of stress. All around campus I have been hearing a very common phrase from students, “I’m ready for this semester to be over.”

Basketball, one of the many activities that could be played .

It is important for students to not let stress get the best of them. A good coping mechanism for stress is through exercising. From Harvard Health Publications, exercising is said to be a way to reduce levels of the body’s stress hormones, while also producing endorphins which are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Got midterms, projects and papers due? Why don’t you take little time out of your busy day and have a little workout session. Lucky for us, CSULB has its own Recreation and Wellness Center open to all students.

Harvard Men’s Health Watch says we should be exercising nearly every day; all it takes is at least 30 minutes of moderate activity. “Whenever I’m in the gym, I just leave everything else outside and focus,” said Myron Silva, second year history major.

Exercise bikes ready and waiting to be taken on a journey

It doesn’t always have to be lifting weights or some intense workout; one could also ride the exercise bikes, play basketball, racquetball, or volleyball. Working out can be a fun time spent alone or with friends.

   

Not every university has its own gym; we should utilize the special source given to us. It’s good for students to be on top of their studies, but it is also important to manage one’s time to keep from being submerged under stress.    

Where are all the fruits and veggies?

There are many different areas on campus where food is sold; however, when it comes to fruits and vegetables sources are rather scarce.



We've got vending machines waiting for us when we get out of class, but where are the fruit stands?



CSULB has two food courts with different fast-food places available, and a couple of restaurants on campus. We have vending machines by the library, in the USU, right outside of class buildings, and along walkways.

It is not necessarily bad to eat fast-food, chips and candy every now and again, but according the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) meals are supposed to be eaten in a variety. By variety they mean, one is supposed to get portions from all different food groups. So where are the fruits and vegetables?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention state that half of each meal plate should consist of fruits and vegetables to maintain optimal health. For students who spend long hours at school, this seems much easier said than done. “Yea they serve fruits and veggies at the convenient stores, but the lack of options makes me not want to buy anything” said Jason Rodriguez, junior nutrition major. “They should start selling more super foods like avocados.”



Imagine a health food store like this on campus
(Photo Credit to Melvin's Market http://melvinsmarket.blogspot.com/)



If the lack of fruit and vegetable selections is not helping to spark interest about healthy eating, then what should be considered is the placement of an on campus health food store. How nice would it be for CSULB to have its own health food store where students can shop around a pick out fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods to their liking. That should definitely attract some student attention to the topic of healthy eating.  

A place where a variety of healthy foods to choose from can be purchased and it’s right here on campus; now that’s the true meaning of a convenient store.         





Are you getting enough sleep?

There seems to be a trend going around campus that involves droopy eyes, head nodding, and dozing off in class.

Finals week is still a ways down the road, yet students all over campus are already experiencing exhaustion from sleep deprivation. This is prominently due to the fact that California State University Long Beach is filled with students who are trying to balance school, work, and a social life. Sadly, one of the first sacrifices while living the busy college life is sleep.

Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D., sleep specialist for Mayo Clinic, recommends adults to get about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day.

Take a break and have a nap

It is very important for students to take time out of their busy day to get the proper amount of rest. As mentioned by Michael J. Brews Ph.D., clinical psychologist, the lack of sleep leads to many health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and mental impairment. Not to mention the fact that sleep deprivation causes one to be drowsy. When drowsiness comes into play, individuals put themselves and others at risk when getting behind the wheel of a car, or operating any heavy machinery for that matter. Sleep is much more important than people might think.

Another convenient spot for some shut-eye

 

We should all be striving to get our recommended hours of snooze time. Conveniently, on campus there are a few popular spots where students can play catch up on missed hours of sleep. The first floor of the USU has several lounge areas with cozy chairs just waiting to be sat on. In between classes, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for students to take a break and enjoy a short or long nap. “I often see two or three people crashed out on the chairs” said Jake Macrae, kinesiology major and ASI employee, “Even when it is packed out in here, people don’t care.”     

Sipping On Sugar

"Nutrition" Facts about a 20 fluid ounce bottle of Dr. Pepper

Soda can be purchased just about anywhere on campus.

Whether students are in class or at the food court, they can easily be spotted casually drinking soda. Some even drink it on a regular basis. What many students are unaware of is the long-term damage they are doing to their body if they continually drink soda.

Beverages such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Sprite and Sunkist are loaded with added sugars. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended amount of added sugar per day for the average adult diet is between 25-37.5 grams. A 20 fluid ounce bottle of Dr. Pepper contains 64 grams of sugar, so one bottle of soda can be enough to put an individual way over their recommended limit. 

This serves as a problem because sodas are such a mass market in our society. “People come here to buy soda and sweet tea more than anything else,” said Adrian Martinez, a second year film major, who works at the USU game center/concession stand.

One of the many soda vending machines located on campus. 

There is always encouragement to upgrade to a combo meal.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has linked sugary drinks, such as those mentioned earlier, to "poor diet quality, weight gain, obesity and ,in adults, type 2 diabetes." This is a frightening thought, considering all the different soda machines set up around school for our convenience. In addition to fast-food franchises advocating for their customers to upgrade to a meal or combo, which comes with a side order (french fries) and a “soft drink” (Coca-Cola). However, none of the outcomes linked to sugary drinks have to become reality for anyone who gives up soda cold turkey or at least starts cutting back every now and again, and eventually finds something to fill the void. An excellent substitute for soda is water. Although it may not be as sweet, it contains many good sources for the body including fluoride which is good for your teeth.

Every little step to achieving optimal health makes a difference. The first step is always the hardest, but once you get the train is moving, it cannot easily be stopped.