Family E-News: Health & Well-being - February 2021
As your student settles in to the spring 2021 semester, know that there are many well-being resources offered virtually and in-person to help them succeed and live well.
One thing at a time.
If you start your day off with your computer set up, phone at your side, with aspirations of getting a lot of stuff done, this is for you.
What if someone told you that you could increase your productivity by up to 40% and all you had to do is start doing one thing at a time?
Most of us love to multi-task. We attend zoom meetings and classes while we text and scroll through social media, only to question what did we really learn or accomplish that day? As we sit through a zoom session, we may be tempted by the call of our device only 3 minutes into an hour class. Our attention seems to be dwindling and it only makes sense to get other tasks done at the same time. We may ask ourselves, why am I so busy and why do I have so much more to do?
The lifeline provided by our devices is nothing to scoff at these days. I think we can all appreciate what they have been able to do for us during intense times of quarantine and isolation. As we hopefully (soon) emerge from our device driven habits, we may find ourselves wondering where our ability to pay attention to something for any length of time has gone, and how can we get that back?
Against all of our beliefs, research has proven that we sadly cannot multi-task. Multi-tasking is attempting to do two cognitively taxing things at the same time. The more cognitively challenging the task, the more focus we require. We cannot both listen and talk, we cannot read and talk, we cannot do a math equation and post on social media at the same time. What we are doing is task switching. It takes about 25 minutes to get into a state of focus when we are doing work that requires complex thought such as writing papers, solving equations, or studying, to name a few. Each time we are pulled away to check our e-mail, send a quick text, or post on social media for just a minute, we lose critical focus and then have to spend more time truly getting re-focused again. The other down side of task switching is that when we are pulled away from critical tasks that are high on our to-do list and must get done, our anxiety levels increase, as do our mistakes, as the deadline encroaches and our time dwindles away. We find ourselves asking, why did I spend that hour watching YouTube videos at 10PM when I had to finish that paper that was due at midnight? I am not going to breakdown the magical pull of devices right now, but we all know it is real.
You may be asking – how the heck can I gain focus endurance and do One. Thing. At. A. Time?
Great question, here are a few tips to get you started.
- Challenge yourself to be bored, this creates space for creative thoughts and reflection. We spend so much time taking in information but very little time processing it these days. Some of our biggest aha! moments come from being bored…this is where you may come up with that answer to the equation you’ve been working on for hours or a new strategy for positive change in your student organization. Step 1, put your device down and try any of these things:
- Stand in a line
- Sit on a bus
- Eat a meal
- Go for a walk
- Be a passenger in a car
- Select specific times of the day to process emails, check social media, etc. rather than constantly checking.
- Make a to-do list and find a planner. A lot of our drive to multi-task comes from wanting to do it all. Identify a few big tasks for each day and do them first. If you are able to get concrete items checked off your to-do list early in the day, you will feel a lot less anxious.
- Find a time a space where you are able to concentrate with little distraction. Turn your notifications off, put your phone in another room or in your bag, and start with small chunks of uninterrupted work time and build from that.
If this article has inspired you to make a change or you’re interested in learning more, attend an Unwind Offline workshop with Hokie Wellness. The goal of this workshop is to help VT students examine their relationship with their device, help them identify ways to increase the positive outcomes, and decrease the negative. Register here.
As students settle into the semester, there are lots of ways to get involved with Rec Sports' offerings to increase physical, mental, and social well-being:
Hokie Movement Club begins March 1
Virginia Tech students near and far are invited to join the Hokie Movement Club.
Members will record their workouts and engage virtually through a free exercise app called Strava. Using Strava will allow students to log workouts, encourage each other, and compete in Rec Sports led incentive challenges throughout the fall semester.
Venture Out's new Bouldering Wall!
Venture Out hosts a variety of outdoor trips and clinics, a gear rental program, and a challenge course on campus.
New to this year - The Venture Out Center has opened a new building that includes a bouldering wall - now open for climbing!
Fitness Offerings
Ways students can get involved with our fitness programs include:
Intramural Sports
A variety of team sports, singles/doubles activities, and esports will be offered throughout the semester and more information can be found here.
Safe Antibiotic Use:
Did you know at least 80 million antibiotic prescriptions each year are unnecessary? Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria. They do not work on viruses, such as colds and flu, or runny noses, even if the mucus is thick and green. Antibiotics also won’t help some common bacterial infections including most cases of bronchitis, many sinus infections, and some ear infections. Anytime antibiotics are used, they can cause potentially harmful side effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. At Schiffert Health Center we are committed to safe antibiotic use. As healthcare providers we are dedicated to treating each student’s illness in the best way possible. Antibiotics can save lives. When a patient needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance. If your student is prescribed an antibiotic, be sure they take them exactly as prescribed. Patients can talk to the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if they have questions about their antibiotics. Most importantly, patients should use antibiotics correctly. Students should ask their healthcare professional about the best way to feel better while their body fights off the virus. Respiratory viruses usually go away in a week or two without treatment.
This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!
It’s not too late! We encourage students to get their annual flu vaccine. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.
If your student has not gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated now. The injectable flu vaccine is available at Schiffert Health Center by appointment. Students should simply call 540-231-6444 to schedule an appointment with a nurse. The cost is $24.00 which is billed to their student account or students can pay same-day via cash, check, or Hokie Passport.
The Cook Counseling Center recognizes that the holiday season may be a stressful time for many. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holidays may not look the same as they have in the past.
Students and families are encouraged to view and explore Cook Counseling's Holiday Care Package, which provides tips for sleep, engaging in connection, and maintaining healthy habits.
Questions about accessibility? Be sure to check out vt.edu/accessibility for up-to-date resources on campus accessibility. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to discuss any questions about access. SSD provides:
- Resources on campus accessibility
- Modifications to the living and learning environments
- Academic Coaching
- Academic assistance
- Financial Assistance
- Assistance with life transitions
- Assistance using service/ assistance animals on campus