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by Nancy Huber

Eating well, exercising, practicing yoga and mindfulness, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and laughing (yes, laughing) are a few of the things we do during our life to stay healthy.

Another important item that definitely belongs on this list is getting vaccinations.  On that note, you might not have heard the U.K. was the first nation to administer fully vetted and authorized COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens.  A 90-year-old woman was first to receive it.  The second was 81-year-old William Shakespeare.  Everyone made a big deal of his name, but it seems to be Much Ado About Nothing.

It’s easy to get a vaccine, and when you do you are helping not only yourself stay healthy,  but your friends, family, community, and humanity too.  From infancy through adulthood, everyone needs vaccines.

Getting vaccinated is important for many reasons.  It aids in protecting us from diseases, thus preventing disabilities and complications such as hearing loss, seizures, arm or leg amputations, brain damage and even death.  Equity in immunization can contribute to health and economic advantages  by preventing illness and the high cost of treatment.  It saves millions of dollars in healthcare costs.  Getting vaccinated enables us to live healthier and fuller lives.

The immediate benefit of getting a vaccine is individual immunity.  That leads to long-term and, at times, lifelong protection against contracting a disease.  But if vaccination rates drop to low levels it’s possible to have outbreaks of epidemics of diseases we thought had been subdued.

In the past 18 months we have all learned much about the importance of achieving herd immunity with COVID-19.  Specific rates of vaccination–which vary widely by disease but are always less than 100 percent–result in herd immunity.  Once that’s achieved it’s difficult for a disease to continue to spread because there are not enough susceptible individuals left to infect.  Herd immunity is particularly helpful for infants too young for certain vaccines and those not able to get vaccinated for health reasons.  So even for diseases that don’t see 100-percent vaccination rates, herd immunity picks up the slack to protect the entire community.

Before vaccines it was common to lose many children in the same family to certain diseases such as Whooping Cough (Pertussis), which can cause uncontrollable coughing, making it difficult to breathe; Measles, which can cause serious complications like pneumonia, seizures and encephalitis; and Diptheria, which can cause a thick coating in the back of the throat or nose, making it hard to swallow or breathe.

Thanks to worldwide vaccination efforts another disease, Polio, which causes paralysis, has been nearly eradicated after having been epidemic in the U.S. in the 1950s.  In 2000 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Measles eliminated, too.  But because of international travel it reemerges at times, causing pockets of outbreaks.  This is much as it was thousands of years ago, when increasing migration, exploration, and trade led to the spread of many diseases.

Also called the “speckled monster” because of the scarring it causes, Smallpox is the only disease to be totally eliminated.  That was declared in 1980 and credited to a worldwide vaccination campaign.  (You might remember getting a smallpox vaccine as a child, the scratching of the needle on your upper arm leaving a more desirable telltale scar.)  Smallpox appeared around 10,000 B.C.  It was frequently epidemic in the Middle Ages and caused massive destruction.  An estimated 300 million people have succumbed to its ravages.

Attempts to inoculate  against smallpox date back to at least the 1500s, when the Chinese ground up dried smallpox scabs into a powder and blew it up the nostrils, which might sound rather unpleasant.  But only one to two percent died from this deliberate infection, called variolation, compared to the 30 percent who died after contracting the disease naturally.  In 1798 the smallpox vaccine was the first to be developed against a contagious disease.

Other diseases have declined thanks to vaccines, and today many are almost gone in the US.  A few examples of more-recent vaccines saving lives are Meningitis and Rotavirus, and the HPV vaccine is helping to prevent cancer.  New vaccines are always in the works, such as for HIV.

Experts have concluded that the use of vaccines has prevented and will continue to prevent tens of thousands of deaths and spare millions of episodes of disease in children and other vulnerable populations in the US alone.

We should not let time blur memories of the devastation caused by disease in the days before vaccines.  The fight against our current pandemic, COVID-19, has shown how important it is to agree to develop, promote, and provide vaccines to the world to improve health and save lives.

Going away to college is a significant step in your life. It’s a turbulent time when everything you know changes; your surroundings, lifestyle, and, yes – even your old friendships. However, even though distance may keep you apart, it doesn’t have to tear you apart. Quite the contrary! It can be an endless source of inspiration that will keep the flame of friendship alive. And in today’s age, with all the gadgets and apps, it’s easier than ever. Here are some ways we recommend you explore to stay in touch with friends while away at college.

Instant messaging – an obvious first choice

Instant messaging apps are the easiest way to stay in touch with friends while away at college. FB Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat – these are all accessible and convenient. Also, with the inclusion of gifs, emojis, and filters, they became much more versatile. Not only can you express your thoughts and feelings accurately, but you can also do so in a fun way.

Upgrade the experience with Group chats

Another great thing to consider is making a group chat for your old crew. All the apps we mentioned have some sort of option for group chat. They can be a great way to organize a virtual get-together and share new experiences. Just remember to limit that MemeLord texting privileges, and you’re golden.

Go old-school

The digital era we live in gave us so much. Among others, a possibility for instant communication. Instant messaging apps are fast and reliable. Still, some find it generic and lacking in personality. So, what can you do to remedy that?

Simple – go old-school! Sharpen that quill, break out that papyrus and ink bottle, and let the words flow. Okay, maybe not that old-school, but you get the point. Writing a letter may not be as fast and convenient as WhatsApp. Still, you can’t deny the allure of the written word.

Email can be an excellent option for busy students.

Contrary to popular belief, email isn’t meant only for uptight businesspeople. In fact, it can be a fantastic, non-intrusive way to stay in touch with friends while away at college. Between lectures and enjoying student life, your friends won’t have too much time on their hands. Email can give them that much-needed leeway and allow them to answer when they find the time. They will certainly appreciate the lack of obligation to respond right away.

Like, comment, and get into heated arguments (on occasion)

We live in a world where “if you’re not on social media, you don’t exist.” Although this is arguably true, you can’t deny the benefits these can have when you want to keep in touch. So check their feed regularly and don’t be shy to engage in conversations. You will both meet a lot of new people at college, and a friendly debate is an excellent way for you to meet their new friends and vice versa.

Phone and Video calls are irreplaceable

Nothing beats a good old phone call when you want to stay in touch with friends while away at college. Even a short conversation can be enough to lift your spirit and relieve you of stress. So, schedule a “chat date” and talk your hearts out. Or, even better – use video chat for a virtual “coffee break”.

Visit your friends in their natural habitat

Moving to college is an inevitability both you and your friends will have to face. The pursuit of knowledge will scatter you all over the US, Canada, and even the globe. However, this doesn’t have to be a downside. In fact, it is a unique opportunity to visit different cities and meet new people.

The US may be immense, but in this day and age, traveling from one end to another isn’t an issue. Despite the standing joke that students are always broke, you’ll always find a budget option to get together with your friends in another city.

Canada is also a popular choice for those in search of higher education. Cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal are big student centers with excellent colleges. That’s why many decide to go to Canada and pursue their diplomas there, and the previous statement remains true: You can easily find a cheap way to get from the US to Canada.

However, there’s one crucial thing to keep in mind: don’t make it a surprise visit. We don’t doubt that your friends will be happy to see you. But their schedule can prevent them from hanging out, so give them a call well in advance.

Use virtual worlds to stay in touch with friends while away at college

Did you and your buddies love raiding dungeons, destroying Nexuses, and surviving the ARKs? Then a virtual environment may be an ideal place to get together. In this case, gaming is an excuse to chat and have a good time. A familiar environment, albeit a virtual one, is a great meeting place.

Was your crew was more of a board game or pen-and-paper type? If so, there are many options that will let you sit down, roll the dice, and enjoy your favorite pastimes. Things like Tabletop Simulator are amazing for board games.

The distance can make friendships stronger

It is well-known that distance causes friendships to fade. However, if you stay in touch with friends while away at college, this doesn’t have to happen. Yes, you will change, and so will they. But keeping in touch will allow you to grow together as people. And once your college days are over, your friendship will be stronger than ever.

What does it mean to be empowered? Merriam-Webster formally defines empowerment as possessing “the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself.” Being empowered means independence, agency, courage, will, and determination. Such descriptors embody people who identify with being a woman, a label which welcomes a broad range of identities. It exists along the LGBTQ+ spectrum, including expressions of masculinity, femininity, and everything between and beyond. It exists among and within racial divides, overcoming the weight of multiple oppressions. Our world of binary classifications is far too eager to confine women to a small box of characteristics. A woman is expected to do one thing, instructed to do another, and evaluated for doing something else, walking along a constricting line of double standards.

Historical efforts toward gender equality persist to present day, as we celebrate the first woman to hold the second-highest position of leadership in the nation. While recognizing the efforts exerted in feminist movements as revolutionary and unprecedented, it’s vital to acknowledge that many identities are excluded from the images these heroic forces of women created. The experience of rising from oppressive sentiments of society looks different for each woman: easier for some and more challenging for others. This is the experience of intersectionality, the idea that details of a person’s life context, their race, gender, sex, and class, interact and accumulate to yield unique combinations of privilege and discrimination. From a lens of intersectionality, it is clear that experiences of womanhood are not universal, but each is undeniably special. All are irrefutably valid and important.

Women are often prescribed specific societal roles that assume their characteristics match a neatly curated image, one that describes what a woman should be rather than what a woman could be. When we ask what women could be, we are shown endless possibilities. Women have soared to spaces of great responsibility, like Ruth Bader Ginsberg who devoted a lifetime’s efforts to filling the gaps of gender equality as a trailblazer in law, or like Kamala Harris who demonstrates impressive and unconditional moral will, holding the title of ‘first’ in every public office she’s held in her career. The image of a woman in leadership is powerful and witnessing a woman lead is inspiring. However, a woman need not reside in Washington D.C. or claim power to display influential leadership. Women lead in their communities, in their schools, in their hospitals and clinics, in their businesses, and in public offices. Women lead by being advocates, activists, and allies of each other in the vast variety of spaces they occupy.

Everything is stronger together than apart. Compassion is stronger when practiced with others. Kindness is stronger when multiplied by millions. The impact of one woman is amplified in collaboration with another. Maya Angelou famously expressed that “each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” When one woman stands, they encourage another to do the same. When women stand together, they set an example. An example of change, progress, and the will to rise to success.

— Ellen, Health Educator Intern for myHealth

During the month of February, advertisements for heart shaped jewelry, oversized teddy bears, and chocolates flood the media. For some Valentine’s Day is a special time to spend with a partner, for others an annoying reminder of our society’s heteronormative tendencies. However you celebrate (or don’t), it can be a good time to reflect on the relationships in your life, and not just the romantic ones.

For many, this year created a lot of challenges in staying connected. Whether it was spending too much time together with family at home or going months without seeing friends in person, our relationships have been tested in many ways. Let Valentine’s Day serve as a reminder of the importance of staying connected and how crucial healthy relationships are to our wellbeing. A healthy relationship, whether romantic, family or friendship isn’t about getting everything perfect, having all the same interests, or seeing each other every day. It’s about feeling connected and supported; being loved and appreciated for who you are.  It also does not mean there is never conflict but rather when conflict happens, it’s handled with mutual respect and understanding. It’s not about winning an argument or tearing the other down, it’s about listening, balance, and building each other up.

Unfortunately, many folks, especially young people, find themselves dealing with unhealthy relationships. The Hotline, a national organization that provides support to victims of domestic violence, reports as many as 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men and 1 in 3 teens will experience dating abuse. What does an unhealthy relationship look like? That is a tough question to answer. Maybe a partner or friend never considers your needs or feelings. Maybe the relationship feels like all the work is left up to you. Maybe your partner threatens you but tries to play if off as a joke. According to LoveisRespect “All relationships exist on a spectrum from healthy to abusive, with unhealthy relationships somewhere in the middle.”

A lot of the young people we work with come to the realization their relationships may not be a healthy as they thought. This can be really confusing and scary, but a person doesn’t have to navigate an unhealthy relationship alone. There are a lot of amazing resources that can help a person navigate relationships, break ups, and creating a safety plan. It can also be helpful to lean on other supportive people in someone’s life like a friend, family member, or trusted adult. If you are in an unhealthy relationship and need support, please check out the resources below:

LoveisRespect

The Hotline

Teen Dating Violence

Break the Cycle

Sexual Violence Center (local)

Cornerstone (local)

Want myHealth to talk about healthy relationships in your classroom, organization or other community group? Reach out to our Community Education Manager, Gabby Fitzgerald, to learn more: [email protected].

1. Know Why You’re Quitting

There are many good reasons to stop vaping. Do you want to feel healthier? Save money? Knowing why you want to quit vaping can help you stay motivated and focused on your goal to become vape-free.

Think about the things in your life that are important to you. Does vaping get in the way of what’s important? If you’re not sure, try asking yourself these questions:

• Is vaping affecting my health?
• Is vaping controlling my life?
• How does vaping affect the way I think and feel?
• How does vaping affect my relationships with my friends, parents, boyfriend/girlfriend, or other people important to me?
• How does vaping or thinking about vaping interfere with my schoolwork or grades?
• Are there activities that I used to enjoy that I don’t enjoy anymore because of vaping?
• Am I spending a lot of money to keep vaping?
• What am I looking forward to the most after quitting?

2. Commit to Your Quit

The first step to giving up vaping is to choose a date to quit. Here are some tips to help you pick a quit date:

• Give yourself time to get ready. Getting ready can help you feel confident and give you the skills you’ll need to stay quit.
• Don’t put it off for too long. Picking a date too far away gives you time to change your mind or become less interested in quitting. Choose a date that is no more than a week or two away.
• Set yourself up for success. Try not to pick a quit date that will be stressful, like the day before a big test.

Have you picked your quit date? Circle it on your calendar or set an alert on your phone, and make sure you have a plan for what you will do on the big day.

3. Know What Challenges to Expect

The first few weeks of quitting vaping are usually the hardest. Take it one day at a time. You may face some challenges along the way, but knowing what to expect and being prepared can help.

Learn your triggers. Certain people, feelings, or situations can cause you to want to vape. It’s important to know your triggers. It may be best to avoid situations that can trigger you to vape when you’re in the early stages of your quit.

Prepare for cravings and withdrawal. Think about how you will fight cravings and deal with withdrawal symptoms. Knowing what to expect and having strategies for handling thoughts about vaping or uncomfortable feelings will help you succeed and stay with your quit in those tough moments.

Resist temptations. Avoid places and situations where others are vaping. If you can’t avoid being around vaping, plan for how you will handle these situations. Maybe that means you take a temporary break from friends you vape with and think about what you will say if somebody offers you a vape.

4. Imagine Your Vape-Free Self

It might be hard to imagine your life without e-cigarettes – especially if vaping is something you do a lot throughout the day. You might feel like a piece of yourself is missing when you first quit. It can take time to get used to the new vape-free you, but over time this will become your new normal. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Make the mental shift. Start thinking of yourself as someone who doesn’t vape. This will help separate you from vaping and give you the confidence to quit and stay quit.
• Focus on the positive. Make a list of all the positive things about yourself that don’t involve vaping and put it somewhere you can see often, like on your bedroom wall or phone. It will remind you that vaping does not define who you are.

Picture the future you. Think about who you want to be in the future. Compare that with who you are now. Ask yourself: How are they different? How does vaping get in the way of what you want for the future? The answer to this can help motivate you to stick to your decision to quit.

5. Build Your Team

Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make it easier to quit vaping. Friends, family, co-workers, and others can be there to listen, boost your mood, and distract you from using your vape.

Ask for help. You don’t have to do it alone. If you feel comfortable, tell your friends and family that you’re quitting vaping and that you will need their support. Here are some ways to ask for the support you need.

• Be specific. Whether you need tough love or something softer, tell your friends and family what type of support you want, and how often you want their help. For example, if you are feeling stressed or anxious after school, ask a friend to help keep you distracted.
• Say thank you. Tell your support team you appreciate them. A thank-you can go a long way – and it doesn’t take much time. Research also shows that being grateful can improve physical health, mental health, and self-esteem.
• Support others. Support is a two-way street. Check-in with your friends and ask them what you can do to help them. Or, do something to brighten someone’s day.

Talk to a doctor. Talk to your doctor or another health care professional about how to quit vaping. Ask how they might be able to help you. They can offer support and resources.

Talk to a tobacco cessation counselor. Get free, personalized support from an expert. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-877-44U-QUIT to talk with a tobacco cessation counselor. You can also chat online using the National Cancer Institute’s LiveHelp service.

Dealing with people who don’t get it. Some important people in your life may not understand your decision to quit. It can be frustrating or discouraging when someone in your life is not as supportive as you’d like. Try one of these strategies:

• Distance yourself. You may need to take a break from unsupportive people when you first quit. Let them know that you need to make quitting vaping your priority right now.
• Recommit to quitting. Remind yourself why you are quitting and why being vape-free is important to you.

• Ask them to respect your decision. Not everyone will know how to be supportive, and that’s okay. Ask them not to vape around you or offer you to use their vape.
• Lean on positive people. Spend time with people who make you feel good about your decision and who want you to quit.

Set a date to quit vaping and make a plan that works for you. You’ll be healthier and happier in the long run.

At first, putting down the vape may seem impossible, but you CAN do it, and it will get easier with time.

Nicotine addiction can make you feel like you can’t go a minute without vaping. Quitting can help you feel more in control of your life.

Avoid reminders of vaping by changing your routine. Small changes—like taking a different route to school—can help.

https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping/how-to-quit-vaping