Author: Caressed

Apply to be a Delta Advocate for your Sorority Chapter!

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Through peer education, campus outreach, and survivor support, the Delta Advocates program unifies the fraternity and sorority community in preventing sexual and interpersonal violence and providing an educated and empathetic response to survivors of violence.
For the 2016 cohort, the Delta Advocate Leadership Team invites women and female-identified individuals in women’s or co-ed fraternities and sororities under Panhellenic Council, Greek Alliance Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council to apply. Up to two members of each organization under these councils may be selected to participate as Delta Advocates.

All applicants for the Delta Advocates program are required to submit an application and two recommendations by 10/21 at noon. Applications can be located under the forms tab on the Delta Advocate page: https://studentlife.unc.edu/organization/delta_advocates

Learn More about Sustaining Healthy Relationships

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October is Relationship Violence Awareness Month! Everyone deserves a safe and healthy relationship.

3183Gc7atAL__SL500_AA300_ This free, online course includes five modules. It was developed  for Carolina undergraduate and graduate students who are    interested in learning how to create and sustain healthy  relationships in LGBTQ communities.

While the information is applicable to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, these modules are centered on the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Trans*, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Two Spirit, and Same Gender Loving communities. This course explores the unique challenges faced by people who are involved in same-sex relationships or where one or more person(s) identifies as transgender. Relationships can take many forms, as discussed in section one of this module.

These modules were developed as a collaboration between the LGBTQ Center and Student Wellness at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thanks to Student Government’s Student Safety and Security Committee for funding the development of the modules in Spring 2013.

To log in, the module asks for your first name, last initial, and email address.

  • If you choose to log in with your email address, you may leave the training at any time and return at your convenience.  The module will remember where you left off.
  •  If you enter as a “guest” and do not provide your name or email, your content will not be saved and you will not have the opportunity to complete the assessments.

To access the module, please click here. Contact Kelli Raker (raker@email.unc.edu) or Terri Phoenix (tphoenix@email.unc.edu) for more info.

Wellness/Health Messaging Graphic Design Intern Wanted!

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Student Wellness and Campus Health Services at UNC Chapel Hill is currently seeking one undergraduate paid, part-time, temporary Wellness/Health Messaging Graphic Design Intern.

The Wellness/Health Messaging Graphic Design Intern will develop and design marketing/advertising materials to promote pertinent health and wellness information for Student Wellness, with some overlap with Campus Health Services.  This position requires creativity, critical thinking skills, and the ability to work independently.

The Wellness/Health Messaging Graphic Design Intern is expected to work 10 hours per week and hoping this person will start no later than October 1. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

In order to apply, please submit a single PDF document including a letter of interest outlining specific examples related to position requirements, a current resume, and the names and contact information for three current references to Caress Roach at caress@email.unc.edu. Application deadline is 9/23/15.

Wellness/Health Messaging Graphic Design Intern Job Description

You Hear That? That’s Your Body Speaking…

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“You can do it…push yourself…keep going…DIG DEEP!” says the super pumped professional fitness class instructor, as I vigorously take breaths to sooth the discomfort that my chest is in from working out. I hear him telling me to ‘keep going’, even though my legs are ready to buckle from exhaustion and constant beads of sweat find their way into my eyeballs causing more discomfort. I am fatigued and my body is aching and all I can think to myself is, “No, Super-Pumped-Professional-Fitness-Class-Instructor—I cannot keep going…aaaand because you are going to keep my $10 for this class, I am just going to leave now.”

This, my friends, is a prime example of me listening to my body. I could have ‘dug deep’ and continue to push my body, but it was clear that my body was telling me to stop. Listening to your body, pretty much means being aware and in tune with how your body is feeling and reacting (usually physical, but not all the time). How did I know my body was screaming at me to stop? Or that doing an extra rep could cause me injury? Welp, not being able to breathe was one sign.

Joe Vennare, from Greatist.com , lists some common warning signs to ‘listen’ for to prevent three problematic conditions that occur often while working out:

  • Overtraining: Take time for your body to rest and recover!Listen1
  • Injury: Be sure to stretch, take breaks, and get doctor check-ups often!listen2
  • Disordered sleep: There is nothing wrong with an ‘adult bedtime’. Good sleep is needed to function!listen3

Yes, physical wellness is important to consider when thinking about positive health and wellness. Yes, we know that there are things in life that have to be done like….right now, but just pause for a second! Let your body in on the conversation and listen to what it is saying to you.

CMMR♥

The Gift of Giving.

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I am a crafter.  I craft any and all things because it is a great way for me to relieve stress, plus I am intuitively good at it.  I usually give gifts and crafts all year long, but this past holiday season, I hand sewed 32 scarves from fabric that I handpicked myself (If I could have made the fabric myself, believe me, I would have).  Granted, I spent about $300 on all of the supplies needed, which was a grip! But if you really think about it, I spent less than $10 per person, which is a preeeeeetty good.

Hand Crafted for a Coworker

Hand crafted for my old Boss!

As I finished the last scarf, I began to think to myself, “Why am I doing this?” Welp! The answer is simple—I love the gift of giving.  Not only does it give me satisfaction to know that I am giving, but it makes it even MORE special that the item is personalized and specific for that individual.  It truly does put me in great spirit.

So, what about you? How do you feel when you give the gift of giving?  The Greater Good Science Center, based at the University of California at Berkeley, shares with us some ways that giving is good for you and your community:

  • Giving makes us feel happy. Research shows that when someone gives something that is nice for someone else, it activates parts of the brain that is associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. Endorphins are also released in the brain that creates an overall positive feeling.
  • Giving is good for our health. Research has connected different forms of giving to having better health.  Researchers think this is due to the act of giving, which decreases stress.
  • Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. Several studies suggest that people who give are more likely to be rewarded by others and sometimes by the person you gave to.  This helps create trust and a higher sense of interdependence.
  • Giving evokes gratitude. ‘Counting your blessings’ can illicit feelings of gratitude, which research shows, is essential to health, happiness, and social connections.
  • Giving is contagious. Giving inspires others to want to give. A study showed that when one person gives, it inspires observers to want to give later and to different people.

So, considering all of the health benefits and how easy it is to give—big or small—try to give often!

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