Health Services offers a wide variety of pamphlets in the waiting room display that are often a good starting point in obtaining information about a specific medical issue. Links and Resources

Contraception

Emergency contraception – “the morning-after pill” (Plan B).

Health Services can provide emergency contraception. A student would meet with a Registered Nurse to discuss the need for emergency contraception and any reasons that this may not be recommended for your use. You will be given information that will assist you in making informed choices. You will also be required to complete and sign a health form. The Health Centre charges a fee of $20.00 for the Plan B pill. Students are advised to follow up with their college or family physician to review their birth control requirements and avoid the need for emergency contraception. Information on birth control is readily available through the Health Centre, Halton Region Public Health Department  and the Peel Region Public Health Department.

Contraceptives

Information on contraceptives is available from the Health Centre or from various sites on our Links and Resources. Book an appointment with one of the Health Centre’s doctors or your family physician to discuss an appropriate contraceptive for you. The Health Centre offers a limited supply of birth control at student discounted prices. Condoms are also available to students free of charge in the Health Centre waiting area.

Mumps

Mumps is an acute viral illness that can be prevented by vaccination. Before routine vaccination for mumps was introduced, mumps was a common infection in infants, children and young adults.

For more information on Mumps please visit the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Healthy Lifestyle = Balance

Healthy lifestyles help create wellness in the whole person, body, mind and spirit. The choices we make affect the rest of our lives. Creating a well balanced life is to nurture all of our being. It is very easy to give more attention to one area than another thus creating an imbalance. For example during the school year you can become so consumed with your studies that you neglect healthy eating and exercise. Perhaps we neglect our studies in order to engage in an active social life. All are important but a balance must be reached for a healthy lifestyle and a feeling of well being.

• To create balance we need to plan ahead and not leave things to the last minute. For instance if we plan healthy meals before going shopping as opposed to “grabbing” something when we are hungry, we will save time, money, and create a healthier diet. 
• Working on assignments before the last minute avoids more stress and having to stay up all night. 
• Combining social time with exercise (i.e. team sports, walking) allows for a healthier mental and physical state and gives more time for studies.

Smoking Cessation

Leave the Pack Behind (LTPB) is a tobacco awareness initiative aimed towards post-secondary students. The main focus of LTPB is the delivery of appealing and effective supports to students who smoke or at a risk of starting smoking.

LTPB offers support and information for all students - smokers and non-smokers. Whether you are thinking of quitting or cutting back, trying to help someone else quit smoking, or simply seeking more info about cigarettes, smoking, or the tobacco industry, LTPB can offer you something.

For more information about Leave the Pack Behind at Sheridan College, please click here

Hand Washing and Sanitizing

Effective Hand Washing

Effective Hand Sanitizing

Stop the Spread of Influenza (flu) and other Germs

Hand Hygiene can Prevent the Spread of Infections

Nutrition Tips Eating a nutritious and balanced diet is one of the best ways to protect and promote good health. Health Canada provides a wealth of information regarding food and nutrition. Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating is designed to help Canadians make wise food choices.  Talk to a Registered Dietitan for free at EatRight Ontario, 1-877-510-510-2 or ontario.ca/eatright

Healthy Snacks

Snacking is key to fueling oneself for today’s active lifestyle. About 1/3 of our daily energy intake can come from snacks- even more for people on the go.

Seven Habits of Highly Successful Snackers…

1. Fix your own food - most ready-made snacks are low in vitamins, nutrients and protein and high in calories, fat, sugar and sodium. Plan ahead and give yourself more nutritious possibilities by carrying food with you on campus.
   
2. Eat a balanced snack from a combination of food groups - the ideal slow-burn snack has carbohydrates, protein and fat. Carbohydrates are metabolized first and deliver their calories fastest. But as quickly as your blood sugar rises, it will fall again. Low energy, headaches, and irritability are just some of the effects of a carbohydrate binge. Fruit has more fibre, and will take slightly longer to metabolize. To prolong the satisfaction and keep your energy level up, you need to add protein and fat (they often go hand in hand). So eat that pear with some cheddar cheese or some low-fat yogurt, and you’ll be set for hours.
   
3. Control portion size - it really does count. Measure out a portion size rather than eating out of a large box or bag.
   
4. Snack to maintain weight - eating snacks helps you to control both your appetite and your weight. When you take the edge off hunger you are not as tempted to stop for fast food or overeat.
   
   
   
   
5. Keep stress and hunger in check - students eat more snack foods and fewer fruits and vegetables when they are under pressure. The hormone cortisol is released during physical or emotional stress, and that increases one’s appetite for carbohydrates (especially sweets). Eating snacks high in carbohydrates, chocolate and caffeine are sure to leave you feeling low as your blood sugar falls. You may also experience:
   
   
   • Insomnia
   • Cramps
   • Poor memory
   • Dizziness
   • Shaky hands
   • Headaches
   • Feeling irritable
   
   Eat small, frequent meals through the day and include protein foods for even, lasting energy. Learn to fight stress with non-food stress-busters such as exercise, relaxation breathing, massage, music, humor, etc.
    
6. Drink lots of water - studies have shown that fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, and ½ bagel with cream cheese or hummus when you’re tired or stressed, it’s easy to confuse thirst for hunger. So when you are packing your snacks, don’t forget the water bottle.
   
7. Incorporate snacking with a healthy, balanced diet and exercise routine.
   
   Adapted from realsimple.com/meals/mls_snack_092001
   

Snack Ideas

Crackers and cheese ½ bagel with cream cheese or hummus Milk or chocolate milk and an apple Yogurt or cheese and carrots sticks Fresh fruit with cottage cheese Graham crackers or arrowroot cookies Bean salad or vegetable sticks and dip Fig bars or granola bars and a banana Rice cakes, pretzels and fruit juice Low fat popcorn without butter

Health Canada estimates that there are 11 to 13 million cases of foodborne illness in Canada each year. Studies estimate that about eighty-five percent of all cases of foodborne illness could be prevented if food is handled properly. Learn the four simple steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk of foodborne illness at Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education.