Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Healthy Husker giveaways promote wellness
As Daylight Saving Time neared, the University Health Center’s Healthy Huskers educated students at the Nebraska Union Tuesday, March 7, about the importance of developing healthy sleep habits.
Over the lunch hour, students had one-on-one conversations with peers about ways to get a better night’s sleep and gave away about 100 free sleep kits, which included light-blocking sleep masks, herbal tea, earplugs, a sleep survey and more.
“Working with my peers to conquer the sleep deprivation culture on campus was an informative and positive experience, not only for myself, but the campus as a whole,” said Healthy Husker Katie Groves, who participated in the event.
The event was held in in conjunction with what is typically recognized nationally as sleep awareness week. Health Promotion & Outreach supplemented the educational event that week by creating daily sleep tips shared on UHC’s social media and a sleep health post on UHC’s recently revived wellness blog.
Sleep education is a top priority of the University Health Center because the 2016 National College Health Assessment II survey reported that 20.4 percent of Nebraska students experienced sleep difficulties that negatively affected their academics. The UHC gives away free sleep kits to any student who requests them and during sleep health presentations given by Wellness Advocates, Healthy Huskers and Health Promotion & Outreach staff across campus.
Upcoming wellness events include Spring Break Wellness Giveaways where students can pick up free water bottles, sunscreen, condoms and lip balm, and National Nutrition Month snack bags. Spring Break items will be available in the Nebraska Union from 12-2 p.m. on March 14, in the UHC from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on March 15 and in the East Campus Union from 12-2 p.m. on March 16. Nutritious snack bags will be available across campus on March 28 to encourage making healthier eating choices.