=========================== JeffNEWS, December 13, 1994 =========================== You & Your Health Health Awareness Offers Holiday Gifts ------------------------------------- The gift we all need during the holidays is a way to stay on top of things without becoming overly stressed. The Health Awareness Program has three stress-fighting "gifts" to help you do just that. o A free Holiday Stress Survival Guide: This 16-page booklet has heart-healthy recipes and tips to make holiday entertaining easier and more fun. o Free Health-Risk Appraisal forms: You'll want one to help you set your 1995 health and fitness goals. o Free Fitness classes: For the holiday season only, special times have been arranged to accommodate busy schedules so you won't have to skip your the fitness classes that can help you lower your stress level. Registration is required. For no-stress interoffice delivery of your Holiday Stress Survival Guide and Health-Risk Appraisal Forms, call 6319. For information about holiday fitness class hours and fees or to register, call 6319, stop by the Health Awareness office at Suite 100, 1015 Chestnut Street, or look for the flier you'll receive through interoffice mail. Holiday Stay-in-Shape Strategies -------------------------------- While many of us anticipate the holidays with childlike delight, others are Scrooges this time of year because of our fear of putting on unwanted pounds from the abundance of food that's sure to be served at the many holiday gatherings we'll attend. There are ways to avoid gaining weight without losing any of the spirit of the season says Barb Whedon, RD, of Jefferson's nutrition and dietetics department. o Before going to a party, think about what you're going to eat. Even though they show up at practically every affair, cheese and nuts are high in calories and fat. As an alternative, select only dishes that are special. Avoid standing near the food and concentrate more on socializing than on eating. o Watch liquor consumption. Alcohol is essentially nothing but calories and weakens your willpower to resist food. o Eat before going shopping or brown bag your own healthful snack to keep your energy high. If you must stop for a snack, choose a bagel not pastries, cookies or ice cream. o Try to downplay food wherever possible. Make it a rule in your office not to talk about dieting. Focus your attention on the meaning of the holidays, family traditions and the joy of spending time with friends and making gifts. o No matter how busy you are, exercise daily. Physical activity reduces stress and aids digestion after eating those big meals. o Some people accept a five or 10 pound weight gain during the holidays and resolve to lose it after the new year. Keep in mind that there's no healthful way to take off in a week the pounds you put on in a month. Be realistic about your expectations. Jefferson's Weigh to Go classes start February 1 and can offer you support in your weight-loss efforts. To learn more about Weigh to Go, attend a free informational session on January 18 or 25. Call 6319 to register. Surviving the Sniffle Season ---------------------------- When winter winds start to blow outside, they're often accompanied by a chorus of noses blowing inside. 'Tis the season to be . . . sick. So stock up on tissues and chicken soup, because according to Ellen O'Connor, MD, director of University Health Services, the average person gets about four colds a year. "Colds can be spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, but hand transmission is the most common way to spread the virus," says Dr. O'Connor, "so it's important to wash your hands frequently during cold season to kill the virus." Although a virus can't penetrate skin, it can slip through mucus membranes. Rubbing your mouth, nose or eyes with your hand that's contaminated with the cold virus is almost surely guaranteeing you'll soon be sniffling, sneezing and complaining of a stuffy head. If you do come down with a cold, there's not much you can do except let it run its course. Rest, eating right and maintaining a low stress level are what doctors recommend. Cold sufferers should shop for medications that are targeted to specific symptoms rather than relying on a multisymptom remedy. The dosage in multisymptom formulas isn't high enough to adequately relieve each symptom. Bookstore's Cookbook - a Tempting Offer --------------------------------------- The Thomas Jefferson University Cookbook is sure to please. Filled with delicious recipes from your fellow Jeffersonians, the cookbook is available for $5 at the University's Bookstore, at 224 South 11th Street. The Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All profits from the cookbook's sale will go toward an achievement award recognizing two outstanding Jefferson students. Don't miss your chance to purchase this cookbook for holiday gifts. Your purchase will show your appreciation to all its contributors while helping to recognize the outstanding achievements of Jefferson's students. Take Time Out for Safety During Busy Holidays --------------------------------------------- Practicing fire safety and prevention is especially important during the holidays when people are busy and easily distracted. Robert Shewbrooks, Jefferson fire marshal, reminds employees to be especially careful when installing and maintaining lights on decorations such as trees and wreaths. Never leave tree lights on indoors when you're not at home. Always remember to place your tree away from any heat source, and be sure it doesn't block a door or stairway either. Give an indoor tree enough water to keep it from drying out. When the needles begin to fall, you know it's time to take down your tree to avoid a possible serious fire hazard. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information provided by: Editor, JeffNEWS (215) 955-6204 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------