Under The Weather

Cold and Flu
Photo Credit: csulb.edu

April showers brings May flowers, but when it comes to health it brings the sniffles. It is almost predictable that every change in seasons brings on the flu, the cold, or even dry skin. Students at Long Beach State are no different, except they are more likely to catch a case of senioritis maybe. It has been especially noticeable lately that the change in the climate has made many students feels a bit "under the weather." Students seem a little more willing to sleep of the groggy feeling while waking up than attending classes these days.

"I never get sick, but only if the weather changes," Ryan Peck, a second year English Education major said, "a lot of my friends seem to be the same way too."

The academic life of a college student can be very stressful at times, and having to get sick around finals time is especially draining. Although, outside influences can also be to blame besides the change in weather. As a college student, the time and budget allowed for healthy eating and sleep in minimal, and could be taking a tole on our bodies.

"My health is usually great. I rarely get sick but lately I have been getting sick a lot," Peck continues, "that could be partially because of the change in weather, the virus going around at work or my excessive drinking."

Students who work outside school should clearly practice healthy habits. Many students encounter customers and food service, and with a virus going around it is easy to catch when in contact with people everyday. Peck is one of many who is restaurant server and is exposed to food and customer service for hours on end.

"The people at work have been calling out sick a ton lately. It definitely seems like something is going around and being in contact with my coworkers could be bad, but also because of the weather for sure," Peck said, "The attendance in my classes has really dropped. There are way less people in all my classes this week as opposed to the last couple weeks, and at work a bunch of people are getting sick so they are getting their shifts covered. Everyone has been complaining that it's the weather."

With the many availabilities offered to students at CSULB, the Health Services makes an effort to keep the students healthy and well. The staff is more than willing to help recognize symptoms and offer advice and medication. To gain knowledge on how to treat and prevent "feeling under the weather," the Health Services offers a complete breakdown on Cold and Flu information online.

Itsy Bitsy Bikini

Students here at Long Beach State are starting to feel the pressure to get back into shape. With the temperatures rising and the sun shining, students only have summer time on their mind. Naturally, wanting to feel good about their body image while wearing next to nothing on the beach is a concern to all. Once the stress of projects and finals pass, many students plan to focus on hitting up the gym and loosing their winter coat in time for their vacations with family and friends.

Melissa Barkley, a senior Communications Major, has already set healthy goals for herself to prepare for the summer months.

"I will add more protein into my diet to lose the excess fat and eat small meals constantly throughout the day," said Barkley. To make sure that she is maintaining her health, Barkley makes a daily effort to exercise and eat right.

"I will eat less fast food, drink more water, less sweets, and less alcohol," Barkley continues, "I consider myself to be an active and healthy person, and staying that way is definitely a priority."

Alamitos Bay, Long Beach CA
Photo Credit: longbeachstuff.blogspot

It is no wonder that the wonderful Southern California weather brings out a motivation in the students to not only work out, but to also eat healthier food options and stay away from calorie-dense products. Knowing how soon summer is approaching results in students finding ways to make working out more enjoyable. Some students even opt for attending gym classes or working out with friends, a boyfriend or girlfriend, and sometimes their peers.

"I definitely make changes to my routine right now, me and my boyfriend want to stay fit for when we go to the beach together and for our summer trips. we sacrifice some time seeing each other to work out at the gym," said Barkley.

With all the dieting and exercise being added to many daily routines, looks like Long Beach State students will be laying out at the bay in their itsy bitsy bikinis and looking good!

ASI Participates in Abortion Discussion

The House Senators are currently opposing a bill form the House of representatives that would inevitably deny funding to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, since they provide free abortions. The issue remains important since CSULB students, as well as all other campuses, do in fact benefit form the free services offered to them at Planned Parenthood. This involves referring to abortions, health screenings, or contraceptives. The debate intensifies when lines are drawn stating the Planned Parenthood does not use their federal funding on abortions. Therefore, why terminate a program for a reason that they are not part of?

Planned Parenthood Logo
Photo Credit: blogs.ocweekly.com

Although, the campus ASI is being questioned with why their involvement is even relevant. Either way, it is still understood that students are in fact directly affected by any cuts made to free services offered to them, regardless if it is on or off campus. The Daily 49er states, “Although ASI remains neutral on abortion, the sponsors of the bill argued that students on campus benefit from the services Planned Parenthood provides.”

New Health Law Impacts Students

This week at California State University of Long Beach, much is happening and changing with student health and law reforms. A new Health and Human Service regulation will ensure quality care for CSULB college students.

The regulation was issued last month and will address the several flaws in our current student health plan. It will attempt at creating the college student health plan as an individual type of health coverage. This way, students can now receive the same health insurance from our campus as the rest of our nation.

CSULB Health Center
Photo Credit: csulb.edu

Although the new student health plan has been widely praised, many students will continue to remain on their parent’s health coverage.

 “Most students are covered under their parents' policies, and due to the change under the Affordable Care Act, will continue to be dependent on their parents' health insurance plan until the age of 26," Cal State Long Beach Associated Students Inc. Executive Director Richard Haller said.

"Any new health reform aimed for students will hopefully benefit them and the care they can receive," Kimberli Ann, a fourth year Human Development major said, "I am fortunate enough to still be part of my parents health plans and don't have to be too concerned with figuring that stuff out yet."
 
For those students who remain independent from their parents, the new regulation will benefit them in three main directions, according to the Daily 49er Student Publication.  First, there will be no lifetime limits for insurance providers to end coverage. Second, coverage is guaranteed even when sick. Lastly, insurance will not be denied to students due to prior medical conditions.

"It sounds fair enough," Kimberli continues, "no one should have to worry about being denied coverage because of a medical past, especially students. We have enough to worry about!"

With student health care taking a turn for the best, it is clearly beneficial to the student wellness on campus. The health center provides medical services and practices preventive health education to students. The new Health and Human Service regulation will go hand in hand with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.