According to statisticbrain.com, the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. The fifth most popular New Year’s resolution is to stay fit and healthy. However, most people do not know where to begin. Getting a health screening is the perfect first step towards completing the New Year’s resolution goal of staying healthy.
The College of Pharmacy will hold free health screenings for students and the community on Feb. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monica Prince, a fourth year student of the College of Pharmacy, is leading the project.
Prince said the screenings will offer blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, body mass index checks, exercise suggestions and nutritional information. Pharmacy students will also answer any questions that patients have about medications.
These health screenings will take place in the Clinical Skills Lab, located on the corner of East Park Avenue and Jimmy Carr Drive.
Those who register for this event, can sign up to win free tickets for non-students to a Bisons basketball game.
Ellen Jones, a fourth year pharmacy student, encouraged everyone to come to the health screening.
“The health screenings will involve discussions on health and nutrition, so it is beneficial to come, even if you do not have serious health problems,” Jones said.
Health screenings also provide opportunities for pharmacy students like Prince and Jones to use their knowledge about health and nutrition.
“One of the best ways to stay active in college is taking a cardio-based exercise class each semester,” Prince said. “This is an easy way to incorporate daily exercise into your routine.”
Jones said she feels the most important way to stay healthy in college is to make sure to take time for sleep and exercise.
“College students usually never get enough sleep,” Jones said, “However, getting adequate amounts of sleep is one of the best ways to stay healthy.”
Senior Rachel Autrey, a general studies major with an emphasis in science, said staying healthy in college means “starting small.”
“Get in a pattern of making small, healthy decisions,” Autrey said. “These will lead to bigger and better decisions.”
Autrey said that doing something as small as giving up soda or other sugary drinks can help improve your health.
“Being consistent is the hardest thing about staying healthy in college,” Autrey said.
Autrey said that it is important to establish a consistent pattern and try to maintain it.
Students can stay informed about the health screening by going to www.facebook.com/HUCOPSYF.
