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Wellness Tips/Articles
smoking cessation resources
The University System of Maryland Board of Regents has adopted a policy requiring all USM institutions, including UMBC, to provide a healthy, smoke-free environment for all faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors by July 1, 2013. The new USM policy reflects a national movement to provide healthy, smoke-free environments on college campuses. UMBC is fortunate to offer an abundance of free smoking cessation resources to faculty, staff, and students.
See the following page on UHS website for an overview of their FREE smoking cessation services.
There is also a UMBC Smoke Free website that offers additional information about the policy, task force, and smoking cessation resources.
Maryland Quitline: Can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by visiting www.smokingstopshere.com. Service is open to all Maryland residents ages 13 and older. The Quitline provides telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. See the top right corner of the homepage for programs in your county's health department.
Allergies and Asthma: They Often Occur Together
10 Food That Fight Spring Allergies
water sports
Water sports are recreational activities that involve water, whether it is near, on, in or under the water. America’s public lakes, rivers, and seashores offer some of the best water for recreation on our continent for sports like kayaking, rowing, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, swimming and water polo.
Ultimate Watersports is a locally owned and operated business with multiple locations in Gunpowder Falls State Park, in Baltimore County. They offer lessons, rentals, summer and winter camps for kids, sunset and moonlight tours.
Atlantic Edge Dive Center and the National Aquarium give divers the opportunity to swim with the sharks, the rays and 53 species of fish right in downtown Baltimore. The diver can swim through the most popular of exhibits at the National Aquarium, including the Atlantic Coral Reef and Wings in the Water.
At Sun Rentals in Annapolis you can rent wave runners, jet skis, motor boats, water skis, wake boards, tubes and kneeboards. Some equipment is even available for sale.
eat real food: farmers markets, csa's and home gardening
Do you want to eat healthy at lower cost and do something good for the environment at the same time? Try eating locally. Accessibility to high quality food is significantly increased due to the rise of farmer’s markets and community supported agriculture (CSA). See the links below to help you find resources in your area. We’ve also included a link on how to grow your own food.
Community Supported Agriculture in Maryland
Farmers Markets in Maryland
Wikihow Guide to Growing Your Own Food
Top 10 Reasons to Grow Your Own Organic Food
the importance of drinking water
Water is very beneficial, and drinking it can help your body in many different ways. Web MD describes important reasons why you should drink plenty of water and provides tips on how to increase your fluid intake.
Get the Most from Your Drink
Even if water is not your favorite drink, there are several alternative options, such as fruit infused water and unsweetened ice tea.
Think drinking bottled water is safer than tap? Beware of the dangers that are associated with bottled water. This article discusses the health and environmental consequences of drinking bottled water.
One of the best places to get free water is from a natural spring. Click here for springs located in Maryland.
exercising in hot weather
If you’re planning on working out in the summer heat, learn safety strategies in this article. It is important to keep hydrated and to avoid exercising outside during the hottest part of the day. The dangers of heat are outlined in the following USA Today article, such as heatstroke, which can be serious and life-threatening.
lyme disease prevention
Maryland has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the US. Before heading outdoors this summer, makes sure you know about Lyme Disease and how to prevent it. See this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with general prevention tips and the Maryland Get Ticked Off! About Lyme Disease Tip Sheet that discusses how to recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease, how to keep ticks off, and how to remove a tick.
tips on starting a department wellness activity
Oftentimes a great way to combat individual stress is to initiate a new wellness regimen. The same holds true for departmental stress. Working together as a team to meet a shared wellness goal has many benefits that include increasing well-being and collaboration, and fostering a sense of individual and collective accomplishment. We’ve included several tip sheets and templates below that departments can use to implement a wellness activity and will add new content to this section on an ongoing basis. Please use these documents to your advantage and consider submitting a departmental ‘Success Story’ (under ‘About UMBC-WIn’ tab) at the end of a group session to share your success and inspire others on campus.
Tips on Walking for Fitness at UMBC tips on creating a departmental walking group
Biggest Loser Program Tips and Reproducible Templates
How to Create a Workplace Biggest Loser Program
Total Program Winner Certificate
Smoking Cessation Tips from WebMD:
- Know why you want to quit.
- Don't go cold turkey.
- Try nicotine replacement therapy.
- Ask about prescription pills.
- Don't go it alone.
- Manage stress.
- Avoid alcohol and other triggers.
- Clean house.
- Try & try again.
- Get moving.
- Eat fruits & veggies.
- Choose your reward.
- Do it for your health.
Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease:
- Wear light colored clothes to see ticks more easily.
- Wear long sleeves and pants.
- Wear closed shoes.
- Wear a hat.
- Use tick repellants (but not on your face).
- Shower and wash your clothes at high temperatures after being outside.
- Examine your body after being outside.