Wellness Journalism: Fully Occupied

Occupational Wellness can be a real issue for students who, in addition to a full class load, have the added obligation of working a part-time or full-time job. To investigate this delicate act of balance, I tracked down one of UCSD’s busiest—and most successful—student workers. Antonio Romero is a 3rd year International Studies and Economics major at ERC.



Wellness Journalist: Antonio, tell us what your current workload is.

Antonio: I am taking 12 units—Economics, History of Europe, and an International Operations class. Then I work two jobs. I spend about 20 hours a week as an aid to Rudy Ramirez, council member for the city of Chula Vista. I manage the internship program, public relations, administration, and event coordination. My other job is at Rosetta Stone, where I work 10-18 hours a week as a language consultant.

Wellness Journalist: So you’re basically in school full time and working full time. How’s it going?

Antonio: I am the number one salesperson with at the moment, making twice my sales goal for Rosetta Stone. And I have a 4.0 GPA.

Wellness Journalist: That’s impressive! What’s your secret for managing time and getting things done?

Antonio: I choose to have fun and I choose to study. If I am going to study, I really sit there and study. I’m not distracted by other things. Likewise, when I am being social I really focus on being social—that way, I feel satisfied, not isolated. The key is being able to focus and hone in, block out the time, and stick to it. Then when I am studying I feel like I am getting a handle on my coursework, and when I’m working I feel like I am doing well at my job.

Wellness Journalist: You maximize your efficiency by being fully present and attentive to the task at hand…such a simple concept. Any other gems of advice?

Antonio: I think they key is to do what you like. Do something that doesn’t feel like work. That’s going make you competitive—you’ll have more energy, and more enthusiasm. That’s going to make you shine, because it’s really you coming through. And don’t sacrifice short term recognition for that which is true for your soul and really makes you happy.

Wellness Journalist: I think you’ve just summed up the very heart of Occupational Wellness. Thanks!

Wellness Journalism: Got Your Back?

“Ergonomics” is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. At its simplest definition, ergonomics literally means the science of work. The most immediate application of ergonomics is body dynamics—or, being aware of your physical position in relation to the world around you and knowing how to execute yourself most effectively.

As I go about my busy day—lugging a heavy backpack, sitting in class, typing at the computer—it’s easy to forget that by back is working at least as hard as my brain. While I may be able to get away with it now, the continued twisting, twerking, and tensing really adds up. A staggering 80% of the population will suffer from back pain, and those most affected are the 30-50 year olds. If I don’t want the most productive years of my life to be stunted by spinal strain, I’d better start protecting my posture now.

They key is to preserve the natural S curve of the spine as much as possible. Here are some specific ways to promote good posture:

Typing at the computer: Sit high enough to keep a minimum 90 degree bend in the arm; your wrists should not be higher than your elbows. Get up and stretch every once in awhile. Flex your hands and arms opposite of the typing position, and rotate your wrists and neck.

Carrying a bag: Only carry what you really need, and try to balance the weight as much as possible. Backpacks should be worn with both straps on. If carrying a bag with only one strap, switch shoulders periodically.

Driving in the car: Move car seat forward until you have a 90 degree bend at the knees, keeping them level with the hips. You should be within easy reach of the steering wheel.

Sleeping: Maintain alignment by sleeping on your back with a pillow under the knees, or on your side with a pillow between the knees.

Lifting: Keep feet firmly planted at shoulder width, bend knees, and tighten your abdominals. Use the strength of your legs to do the lifting. Keep the weight of the object as close to your body as possible—lifting a 20 lb bag 20 inches away from your body produces 400 lbs of compression force on your spinal disc fulcrum point. Also, it’s better to push than to pull.

Standing around: Alternate position by shifting your weight from one leg to the other.

Physical alignment promotes mental alignment. Back it up!

Special thanks to Julia Jensen with UCSD Environmental Health & Safety

Wellness Journalism: Put Your Best Face Forward

When Opportunity Knocks, Be Ready to Open the Door
(Rather than being naked in the bathroom.)

UCSD has its very own Occupational Wellness guru and her name is Sara Henry. She is the director of The Center for Communication and Leadership and knows all about networking, public speaking, and interpersonal relations.

I recently attended Sara’s discussion of that magical key to success known as networking. She made some really good points about the importance of establishing rapport, being genuine, and upselling strengths.

Something else she said really struck a chord: “From the moment you leave your house in the morning, be ON.”

Once you’re out in the world, you never know who you will run into, or where, or when. You want to be in the habit of being professional and respectful at all times.

Examples:
• You cut off another driver on the way to an interview, only to discover that the driver is interviewing you.
• You’re picking your nose when an attractive customer walks in.
• Your boss overhears you cussing out your mother on the phone.
• You’re asleep in class.

Life is full of ironic surprises, and people are paying attention (even when you aren’t). Don’t be caught with your pants down. Before you ever get hired, you are charged with the responsibility of self-promotion. Remember—a first impression might be your last.

How to Meet Your Mother

You may not be thinking about menopause yet, but it’s already affecting your life. Women begin to experience physiological changes and symptoms related to menopause as early as age 38—which means that your mother, aunt, teacher, friend, colleague, or customer service representative might be dealing with a different deck of cards than she is used to.

For example, she might be having a difficulty sleeping and/or thinking. Imagine the inconvenience caused by the disruption of such functional fundamentals.

Now imagine living in a society where nobody wants to acknowledge—much less talk about—the challenges associated with menopause. Considering its universal nature, you’d think that basic human understanding would be more prevalent. But it’s not. Why has menopause become so taboo? Why don’t women (and their supporting cast members) know more about it?

Not so long ago, women's emotional needs were regarded as irrational by the medical and scientific communities. A woman who expressed severe changes in mood and behavior was more likely to receive a lobotomy than a lily, contributing to a rich inheritance of silence and fear. Mom should always be “just fine;” managing the demands of the household, comforting the sick, cooking, cleaning, ironing, and folding. She should have a nice hair-do, too.

Times are changing. According to Ellen Dolgen, author of Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness, “reaching out is in, and suffering in silence is out.” The Shmirshky website provides a comprehensive community of support and a wide range of resources, empowering women to embrace themselves from within–which in turn, strengthens relationships.

Communication and awareness are the most powerful tools of the human trade. If a woman you care about is struggling with a prolonged series of bad days, give her the gift of understanding: it’s not personal, it’s physiological. Break the silence barriers and open the information lines. Midlife doesn’t have to be a crisis!

Wellness Journalism: Practical passion

My dad wanted me to be a doctor, a lawyer, a real estate guru…something that would ensure my financial security and sound impressive to friends and family. With his perception of my best interests at heart, he scoffed when I said I wanted to write. To him, this was the equivalent of saying, “I want to be broke and homeless,” and he would simply pretend I was joking.

Within the structure of our society it can be hard to find a balance between practicality and passion. Being practical means ensuring a dependable income, with the result that many students choose their major for one reason: to get a high-paying job. This concept of practicality is accepted and expected for many people. Passion, on the other hand, is more readily associated with artists and activists who have thrown stability to the wind in order to pursue whimsical ideals. It seems that practicality is safe and secure, while passion is potentially dangerous and misleading.

I propose that there is a happy middle ground—and room enough in any career plan for both practicality and passion. I would even argue that a goal without passion is not practical: with so many options available, it just doesn’t make sense to choose a path that you can’t truly enjoy. Keep an open mind to possibility and explore combinations that bring you the best of both worlds.

Start by identifying your passions, then consider practical ways to apply them.

Identify passion:

• Is this how I want to spend the time of my life?
• Do I feel excited and expansive when I think about doing this?
• Am I drawn to spontaneous conversation and synchronistic discovery when I investigate this idea?
• If I didn’t have to worry about money, would I do this for free?

Identify practicality:

• Who will benefit from this service?
• What specific needs are being met by this endeavor?
• Is there an established market for this type of work?
• How can this be adapted to suit different environments and demographics?


Occupational Wellness says you can be well, and well off!

Wellness Journalism: Can I Kick It?

Italy gives an old tradition the boot, and so can you.

Giorgia Boscolo is 24 years old a mother of two. She is also the first female gondolier to tackle the canals of Venice—breaking with 900 years of conviction that gondola steering is a man’s job.

Whether a conviction is 900 or 9 years old, what we believe tends to steer us through the course of our lives. Sometimes, our belief systems need to be updated.

Sometimes, if you think you can’t do something, that’s the best reason to do it. Maybe you’d like to participate in a marathon but you think it’s only for “runners.” Maybe you’d like to eat less meat, but you are worried that you will “starve.” Maybe you’d like to be a dancer (or a doctor, or a detective), but you are worried that you will “fail.” What do you dream of? What do you picture yourself doing? What is it that you really want?

The bottom line is that no matter how lofty your goals may be, no matter how impossible they may seem, simply heading in their general direction will provide you with a fulfilling life. Since your greatest goals can only be reached one step at a time, your heart is pre-wired to appreciate the journey.

This is excellent news to those of us who may not know exactly how we are going to make our dreams come true, what with so many paths crisscrossing at our feet and so many flashing lights and signs (This way! Wrong way! Turn here!). But we have to believe we can.

Giorgia Boscolo is living proof that old molds are giving way to new possibilities, and even the most hardened establishments can bend in new directions. With the swipe of an oar, Giorgia reminds us that life is a flow(er)… and we each decide where to go(grow).

Wellness Journalism: Will Work For Bliss

“If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are -- if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time.” –Joseph Campbell

Occupation: what you do with your time.

Recently, I had an encounter with a sales representative named Tom. When he finished telling me about the services his company had to offer, we got to chatting about jobs in general. He said to me, “It’s tough out there. You gotta make a living, pay bills, and work hard. When I was in college, I got my degree and got out. And I have been in sales ever since.”

It’s clear that Tom has a job in which he is using his strengths: self-motivated and outgoing, he is good at talking to people. In his line of work, however, success is measured by the number of units he sells. And I doubt that Tom is truly passionate about adhesive flooring.

Sadly, our society has pushed the philosophy that you find a job in order to make money. If you happen to like your job, that’s an added bonus. If you don’t like your job, well, suck it up—neither do the rest of us. This is so depressing. Making a living should not come at the expense of having a life.

Work for your bliss, not for your wallet. Otherwise, at the end of the day, you will be missing something that money can’t buy: time to do something that really matters to you. When you find a career that balances interests, values, skills and personal strengths, the result is worth much more than the sum of its parts (or paychecks). Bliss, the deep satisfaction and fulfillment that comes when you put yourself to your highest and best use, arises naturally. The key? Get your strengths working for you, then put yourself to work for a cause that means the world.

Keep in mind that your most valuable strengths aren’t taught in classrooms, and they are not dictated to you by your parents. They are inherent in your personality and cultivated through real life experience and interaction. Examples of these “signature strengths” are curiousity, optimism, persistence, humor, kindess, and bravery. Every environment presents you with opportunities for self-cultivation. No matter where you are or what you are doing, identify your strong points and begin to exercise them more consciously in your life. From grunt work to glory, developing your strengths will keep you moving toward meaningful occupation—even when you feel stuck. And most importantly, spend time with exploring your hobbies, interests, and passions. They hold clues to your life's work.

The Career Services Center offers two free self-assessment tools that can help you gain a better understanding of your inherent capabilities. FOCUS is a self-paced, online career and education planning tool which enables you to assess your aptitudes and intrigues, and explore career fields and areas of study that are most compatible with your assessment results. TypeFocus assesses your personality type and offers insight into career choices that best fit your personality. You can make an appointment with a career advisor to review your results.

Do what is you, love what you do!

Setting Sail? Consider an Intern-ship!

An Intern-ship can carry you to new and wonderful places!

As a student you are getting plenty of education; however, you may wonder how you are going to have any experience under your belt by the time you graduate and begin looking for work. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, a staggering 95% of employers say that experience is a factor in hiring decisions! What’s the best (and sometimes only) way to gain experience with no prior experience? Internships.

"Not only does participation in an internship make the student a more attractive candidate," says NACE Executive Director Marilyn Macke, "but it can also be an avenue to a job." Surveys show that hiring from the intern program is growing. Matthew Zinman of the Internship Institute reports that IBM hires up to 2,000 interns annually and converts more than half of them to full-time hires. Recruiting guru Dr. John Sullivan writes on the Electronic Recruiting Exchange that "the most effective sources I have worked with have consistently found that quality internship programs produce the highest quality candidates, the most productive hires, and the hires with the highest retention rates."

Some internships pay you wages, and others do not—but they are all worth it. With an internship on your resume, not only are you more attractive to hiring managers down the line, you are more valuable. Even in 2005, NACE reported that employers who hired entry-level candidates with internship/co-op experience paid them 6.5% more than those without experience. In addition, you could earn college credit toward your degree!

An internship is a great way to get an inside glimpse of a company, an industry, and a particular occupation, while building your network. In addition, it can help you discover if the career you are considering is the right fit for your foot, before you walk off the graduation stage. You may discover gaps between your classroom learning and what you need to know in the real world, and be better prepared (and more confident) when you arrive. Finally, you'll sharpen your personal tool-set by interacting with people on a professional level, something no classroom can offer!

Visit the Academic Internship Program for more information.

Wellness Journalism: Get to Work.

Job Acquisition in 2010

Need a job? With so many decisions and distractions, it can be difficult to settle down and apply yourself. Keep the following in focus to improve your position:

Cast a wide net. Look beyond your usual industry; many of your talents are transferrable. Browse through on-line job search engines such as Career Builder or Monster to familiarize yourself with available positions and the qualifications employers seek. There are also many jobs on campus where you can work conveniently between classes, and you can find lots of interesting full or part-time gigs on Craigslist . Be creative and keep and open mind!

Customize each resume. Tailor your resumes to the job description (which will also provide useful key words). It is essential to identify the specific value you will add to the organization. Take your time, check your spelling, and remember that this is the first impression you make on a hiring manager. "Not tailoring a resume is a huge mistake, because employers want their particular needs and problems addressed," says Lauren Milligan of ResumeMayDay.com. "Tailoring a resume shows that you have researched the company, or at the very least, read their job posting.” Click here for free step-by-step resume writing guidance.

Stay connected. Although there is no substitute for face-to-face networking, today's online technology is nothing to scoff at. Business networking sites such as LinkedIn allow you to view a person’s career history, education, community involvement, and hobbies. LinkedIn has over thirty-five million members in over 140 industries. Most of them are adults, employed, and not looking to post something on your wall or take you on a date. Use LinkedIn to ask questions and make connections. It is a virtual vehicle for real-work research, and completely free.

Give a clear interview. Even the best resume or referral can't get you the job if you do not represent yourself in an intelligent, confident fashion when interviewing. Prepare for job interviews with the Job Interview One-Sheeter. Created by "Life After College" expert Jenny Blake, this template will help you articulate your strengths, goals, work-style, ideas, challenges you've overcome, questions for the interviewer and an answer to that dreaded "weaknesses" question.

Keep producing. Commit to action every day. Looking for work is a full-time job in and of itself! Follow up with each resume or contact, and stay organized. Set goals for yourself such as sending out a certain number of resumes or meeting new people in your target field. JibberJobber provides an easy way to keep track of all of the information that you collect during a job search. Track where you have sent your resumes, the jobs you apply for, and log the status of each job as you proceed through the hiring process. In addition, you can track and organize your personal networking contacts and keep a log of how they have helped you.

Be Professional. Sanitize your MySpace and/or Facebook page. You don’t want hiring managers gazing upon beers or bikinis. While you're at it, fix your phone: no potential employer wants to sit through two minutes of rap music while waiting for you to answer, only to hear a voicemail greeting that says, “I’ll hit you back.” Finally, open a professional e-mail account (Sexylady619@yahoo.com is not going to make the cut).

Support Yourself. A lengthly job search can really wear you down, inside and out. To keep your spirits up, spend a reasonable amount of time with friends and family, laughing about your adventures. Maintain healthy eating habits, get enough sleep, and exercise…these three little jewels will keep you fit for hire. Your attitude is your best asset!

Wellness Journalism: A Special Case Study

A young college student—studying to be a lawyer, or FBI agent, or something—was sitting in a bar. Out of the blue came a pilot, and next thing she knew, she was learning to fly.

Cindy loved it. One thing led to another, and air-mileage accrued, until she found herself flying big airplanes and answering to the name of Captain.

16 years later, after bringing a small aircraft in from Dallas, Cindy is riding passenger-style on her way home to San Diego. Little does she know, she is sitting beside UCSD’s intrepid Wellness Journalist. I notice the friendly, joking mannerisms between her and the flight crew, and it occurs to me that my seat-mate is “occupationally well.” Having uncovered the uncanny origin of her career, I ask her what she likes best about her work. “The freedom,” she says. “No boss hovering over your shoulder. And if you don’t like somebody, you don’t have to work with them.” Cindy is the captain of her own ship, or airplane, as it were. I can imagine how refreshing this must be, compared to folk stuffed in an office with the same personalities day in and day out. Variety and mobility are woven into her routine. Furthermore, work never comes home with her. “If you have a bad day, it doesn’t carry over to the next day.”

“Isn’t piloting a rather, um, male-dominated profession?” I ask, recalling the many captain’s announcements I’ve heard crackling over the intercom (which all sound to be the same middle aged cowboy, more or less). She tells me that 5% of professional aviators are women.

I wonder if this imbalance poses a challenge, but Cindy quickly shakes her head no. “Maybe it did at first,” she says. “But I just don’t care.”

This simple statement is a stroke of brilliance. There are so many excuses for deferring a dream or postponing a passion. Take a statistic some women would be daunted by, discount it, and poof! It’s not a problem.

Striking in her captain’s uniform, Cindy is a prime-time example of how life guides your feet, hands, eyes, ears, and/or nose in unexpected, wonderful ways. Maintain an open connection to that which brings you joy; your hobby can become your career!

The pilot Cindy met in the bar is now her husband. They both work for United Airlines. They have a seven year old son and a three year old daughter.

Wellness Journalism: Works Well With Others

Working well with others involves more than saying "good morning" and cleaning up after yourself. It’s about effective interpersonal communication.

You may be the brightest and bushiest individual at your workplace, but unless you communicate efffectively your colleagues will never know. Because of the nuances of thought, feeling, tone, posture, and expression, much may be lost in translation—even though you’re speaking the same language. When it comes to communication, apply quality control. Ensure that what you feel, think, do and say are in alignment. Humans are such sensitive intruments; if you don’t communicate well, you’re bound to create smog in the collective atmosphere.

Keys for Keeping the Lines of Communication Clear

1. Open sesame. When you are relaxed and open (and you know it), your body and face will show it. This is the single most important tool in effective communication: solid eye contact arises naturally out of this state of being, as does clarity, and even humor. When you’re open, you are being yourself—genuine—and this creates trust. Others feel comfortable around you; they will share their feelings/ideas/concerns…and you, being open, will do the same. In this expressive environment, magic happens.

2. Listen up. Actually listening, which means that you are not running your own simultaneous internal monologue, is another critical component. Communication is a two way street, but often times we drive on both sides of the road. Stay in your lane—let the other driver have right of way.

3. Respect. In any given environment, each person has their own unique contribution to make. This means differences of opinion, style, form, and delivery. Respect the mannerisms of others and allow them to think how they think—don’t try to change what isn’t yours. When somebody’s perspective seems foreign, ask questions. The more you understand the reasons behind their mentality or behavior, the more constructively you can work together.


Every day of your life is an adventure in interpersonal relationship and communication. As such, it is a process, and a practice. Learn from your interactions. If you have a really good conversation with someone, think about why it went well and remember the key points for next time. If it was bumpy, try to learn something from it.

Good to know: The Express to Success program at UCSD offers a 9-week, non-credit interpersonal relationship seminar each quarter. It emphasizes development of social self-confidence and "people skills" through experiential learning activities that address initiating and maintaining conversations with peers and professors, assertiveness and managing conflict in relationships, skills in listening and self-disclosure, and understanding personality styles and group dynamics. It’s of tremendous value to anybody who lives and works amongst other human beings.

Ready, Set, Rent!

Ready, Set, Rent! is a preventative legal education program offered by Student Legal Services. Ready, Set, Rent! provides new and experienced renters an opportunity to learn more about their rights and responsibilities as tenants and to foster a positive renting experience. Students who participate may be eligible to win a prize!

How does the program work?

Ready, Set, Rent! is a series of 4 workshops, each offered twice during May 2010. Students who attend 2 of the 4 workshops will be entered into a drawing for a $75 gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

To participate, pick up a Ready, Set, Rent! card from SLS or attend a workshop and ask for a card. You must have your card initialed at each workshop you attend. If you attend 2 or more workshops and wish to be entered into the drawing, you must return your completed cards to Student Legal Services no later than Friday, June 4, at 4:30 p.m.

Workshop schedule

Moving Ins and Outs

Location: Student Legal Services (Student Services Center, Room 527)

• Wednesday, May 5, 3 p.m.
• Thursday, May 27, 11 a.m.

Plan your next big move with a little help from SLS! Some of the most common questions that SLS attorneys answer concern the beginning and the end of a business relationship with a landlord. Come to this workshop and get practical tips for a smooth transition.

Renters' Rights

Location: Student Legal Services (Student Services Center, Room 527)

• Thursday, May 6, 3 p.m.
• Monday, May 17, 11 a.m.

Do you know your rights as a tenant? Even if you do, your landlord may not. Find out what rights and responsibilities tenants have regarding repairs, habitability, the landlord's entry into a residence, homeowner associations, and much more! An attorney will explain your rights as a tenant and how to assert them.

Renters' Resource Panel

Location: Price Center West, Roosevelt Room

• Tuesday, May 11, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, May, 26, 2 p.m.

SLS will assemble a team of experts to answer your questions about the transition to off-campus living, finding a place to rent, budget considerations, how to stay safe off campus, and how to handle roommate conflicts. Discover many of the resources on campus that are available to support renters.

Special thanks to our partners in Muir Residential Life, Financial Aid, the UC Police Department, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Commuter Student Services.

Landlord-Tenant Jeopardy

Location: Student Legal Services (Student Services Center, Room 527)

• Wednesday, May 12, 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 18, 3 p.m.

Think you know enough about your rights as a renter? Test your landlord-tenant law knowledge during this fun, interactive workshop, and find out!

Spotlight: The Career Services Center

At your service...

The Career Services Center

As a member of the UCSD community, you have an abundance of resources at your fingertips! The Career Services Center is a one-stop-shop for all things job –related. They offer a variety of programs and resources to assist students and alumni with career goals, including career advising, on-line job listings and resource tools, workshops, job fairs, and special events.

Job Opportunities
CSC offers listings of part-time and full-time positions on-campus, through work-study and in the community. In addition, internships and summer opportunities are available. Various companies attend on-campus job fairs and conduct job and internship interviews on campus each quarter.

Career Development
Receive assistance in exploring career goals and job search preparation including resume writing, interviewing and job search strategies. Ask about career exploration panels and networking opportunities. Meet with career advisors, practice interviewing on camera and use specialized self-assessment software programs to explore career options.

Professional & Graduate School Opportunities
To help you explore various graduate and professional school options, CSC offers special orientations, fairs, individual advising, and an extensive library of directories, catalogs, handouts and videos. Learn about admissions tests, fellowships, writing personal statements and preparing for interviews. A reference file can be set up to allow us to distribute your letters of recommendation to graduate schools.

Career and Internship Library
Find information on various occupations, employers and graduate programs through directories, catalogs, books, brochures and annual reports in our Career and Internship Library. Use computers to access our homepage, research employment and graduate school opportunities and use specialized software programs to determine what careers match your interests.

Wellness Journalism: Inquire Within

What do you want to be when you “grow up?” When we are little, we know exactly what we want to be: ballet dancer, fire fighter, etc. Then the real world comes, washes out our mouths, and we must start from scratch.

Fresh out of high school, my highest grades were in physiology and english. Therefore, I went off to college as a biology major with intentions of becoming a doctor. After a few quarters I realized some things. Thing the first…I would have to take calculus. Thing the second…the degree to which I detested the taking of calculus was highly pronounced. These two things, once realized, resulted in a change of major to something equally practical, but sans-calculus: psychology. I enrolled in beginning level psych, went to class about six times, and passed with a C. I don’t even remember what the professor looked like—the reason being that, in addion to academic explorations, I was also pursuing a rigorous investigation into my social life (also known as partying). After about a year of nonsense I decided to re-assess. I withdrew from the university, got a job working as a teller in a bank, and started a nursing curriculum at the community college. Here, I resumed my love affair with physiology only to discover an acute aversion to microbiology; I signed up and dropped out numerous times before throwing in the towel. Higher education and I had come to an impasse.

Fast forward several years. I am working as a hostess and enjoying a free-spirited lifestyle. At this time I rediscover my connection to the written word, and the small spiral notebook takes up residence in my pocket. I become a self-appointed journalist. Preferred subject? The human experience! I investigate the nuances of relationship, the intricacies of emotion, the variations of expression. I document the many processes, mental-physical-spiritual, that I encounter.

Although technically a “hobby” at this point, my passion for inquiry, both internal and external, is tremendous. I line the shelves with notes, observations, and records of various types. Meanwhile, following the advice of my father, I obtain a real estate license and begin working in a small firm. There is plenty of opportunity in the field of real estate, and good money. The only problem is that I don’t seem to care. I have begun to think of writing as my primary passion, and my creative whims sweep me out of the office and into the world at large where I stumble upon a brilliant plan: go back to school for a degree in writing. Make a living on student loans and financial aid. Allow college to serve as a networking and support system, while strengthening my foundations.

And that is how, ten years after I started, I have returned to UCSD. I tracked down the Wellness Center during my first week on campus, walked inside, and offered my services.

Each of us has a calling, but the world is noisy; sometimes it’s hard to hear ourselves. Persistent exploration, assesment, and inquiry allow us to listen closely and follow through. Take advantage of the many resources here on campus—from student organizations to internships and employment—this is prime time for self-cultivation. Happy trail blazing!

Wellness Journalism: Network.

Networking is the art of building alliances—also known as making friends.
It starts long before a job search, and you probably don't even realize you are doing it.
In fact, anytime you meet somebody and establish a connection, you add them to your network. Think of yourself as a spider spinning a web.

Networking is the number one preferred method of job acquisition, for both the employing and the employed. This is because no resume or interview can substitute for a first-hand, personal relationship. Making inside connections truly gives you the advantage, and unlike insider trading, is completely legal.

You may be saying, “I don’t have much of a network. I really don’t know anyone.” First of all, this isn’t true. Between past and present teachers, employers, neighbors, co-workers, friends, on-line associates, and family members, you have access to thousands of contacts—and there are always more. You never know where you are going to meet someone who can give you a lead.

The benefits of a strong network? Opportunities to learn new things, to build value and credibility in your community, to help others, to propel your professional development, to find suitable mentors, and to enjoy your work outside of the job. Actually gaining new employment and/or a promotion is icing on the cake!

A few pointers:

• Ask your networking prospects for advice, not for a job. Networking interactions should be a source of career information and personal contacts.

• Be genuine; begin with a firm handshake, eye contact, and a warm smile! The key to networking is in making a good connection. Ask questions, be a good listener, and get to know the real person.

• Volunteer in your field and other areas of interest. When you selflessly invest your time and energy, people notice. It’s a great way to get involved, while demonstrating your talent and worth.

• Be patient—networking is like gardening. You do not plant the seed, then quickly harvest. It requires cultivation, time and effort for the process to pay off.

"The road to success is always under construction." - Lily Tomlin

Wellness Journalism: The Active Balance

Strike a balance, not a pose.

Do you experience burnout, low productivity, insomnia, and/or stress related illnesses? Do you ever feel consumed by your obligations? If so, you may be amongst the many people suffering from life-work imbalance. Since we spend mass quantities of time “on the job,” it is easy to become absorbed by the demands of the working atmosphere; even when we’re off the clock, the brain keeps ticking away. Some people become psychologically addicted to work, while others adopt the belief that work comes first—at the expense of friends, family, and personal fulfillment.

Regardless of your work, task number one on the job description should read: maintain personal balance. This internal infrastructure supports your entire life! When the scales are tipped, everything suffers, from working productivity to health and relationships. Therefore, if your career (or anything else) is important to you, balance must come first.

Literally and figuratively, balance is a function of the inner ear, so tune in. This internal diagnostic tool is also commonly known as following your heart, nose, or gut. As you sharpen your deeper sense of hearing (and follow through), you gain the ability to finish daily work and responsibilities without feeling drained. You participate in activities you enjoy and spend time with your loved ones. You have time for exercise, relaxation, and fun. You’re satisfied when you fall asleep and motivated when you wake up.

In the whirling-dervish we call life in America, striking balance is a daily practice. The requests (or demands) of a given day pull in many directions; it can feel like you’re a juggler in a circus or a hat rack in a hallway. Nonetheless, balance is an act of nature; and as such, both attainable and maintainable.

Let’s take an example. In one evening alone, your friends want to see a movie, the laundry isn’t done, your mother needs help organizing the garage, a ten page paper is due, the hottie you met yesterday invited you to dinner, and you hoped to go for a jog. Everything seems to be a priority, but not everything can happen at once. What to do? Consult your internal compass. Listen to what your inner ear says is important, and follow course. Just say no (or later) to the rest.

The key aspect of inner-ear awareness is mindfulness. All impediments to balance begin at the level of perception—yes, it’s all in your head. When you’re listening in, you can filter and fix patterns of belief and behavior that pull you off course (dependence on external sources of approval, putting the needs and expectations of others before your own, fear of change, preoccupation with appearances, perfectionism, and procrastination contribute to tipsy-ness). When you’re listening in, you can hear the messages and signals your body sends to you throughout the day: food, drink, sleep, solitude, work, exercise, relaxation, or play. Tuning in to your inner ear allows you to work with, rather than against, yourself.

A Golden rule of thumb: set aside “Personal Space” in your schedule, for at least an hour, twice weekly. Call it a mandatory meeting for Me, Myself, and I. This time is not to be used for cleaning or catch up or congregation; it’s an opportunity for strong internal dialogue/inner ear connection. Don’t pre-fill it before hand. Rather, when you arrive to your appointment, ask yourself what you would like to do…and do it. Whether you end up practicing cartwheels, writing in a journal, taking a walk, reading Harry Potter, sitting under a tree people-watching, or doing absolutely nothing, this time is for You—and it will work wonders for your sense of balance.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein

LiveWell Balance Test

Are you living well?

There is an easy, quick survey that you can take to determine which dimensions of wellness you are doing well in and which need more attention.

Here's some sample questions from the LiveWell Balance Test. (The entire test can be found online at http://wellness.ucsd.edu/survey/)

1. Never
2. Seldom/ Occasionally
3. Sometimes
4. Frequently
5. Always or Almost Always

Physical:

• I maintain healthy eating patterns.
  
• I eat at leat 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
  

Spiritual:

• I have a sense of purpose in my life.
  
• I spend time reflecting or meditating.
  

Social:

• I am involved in at least one university or community group.
  
• I have at least one meaningful relationship.
  

Emotional:

• I find healthy ways to cope with stress (exercise, relaxation, social support).
  
• I am able to cope with feelings of sadness and worry.
  

Intellectual:

• I find my academic life fulfilling.
  
• I know how to access academic resources when necessary.
  

Occupational:

• I manage my time effectively.
  
• I have confidence in my job searching skills (resume writing, interviewing, etc.).
  

Environmental:

• I spend time outdoors enjoying nature.
  
• I have adopted water saving habits.
  

Financial:

• I budget my funds so that I don't run out of money.
  
• I am never late on my credit card, tuition/ fees, other payments.

Easy Yoga Poses You Can Do In Your Dorm!

Taking the time to relax and breath before and during Finals Week is a great way to lower stress levels.

Try these 3 easy yoga poses as a 10 minute study break that you can do in your room (or even better, OUTSIDE!)

Uttanasana- Forward Bend (Regulates Blood Pressure)

Stand with legs hip width apart about 8-10 inches away from the wall. Lean back to the wall. Bring arms over head, take a breath in. As you exhale bend forward and let your arms hang down. Keep hips on wall, relax arms, shoulder and neck. Stay for 3-5 breaths and roll back up the wall with an exhalation.

Balasana-- Child's Pose (Stretches the Spine)

Come to floor on hands and knees and relax toes. Sit back on heels and keep arms extended on the floor. Open knees a little wider than your feet and relax forehead to ground. Either keep your arms extended or relax arms to your sides, hands by your feet.
Stay for 3-5 breaths.

Viparita Karani – Inverted Lake Pose (Relieves stress-related headaches)

Sit down close to the wall, with one hip touching the wall. Move legs up the wall while simultaneously lying down on your back. Move hips as close to the wall as comfortable and relax arms to your sides. Stay for 3-5 breaths.

Want to see more Yoga poses?
Check out LiveWell UC San Diego's Flickr page:http://www.flickr.com/photos/livewellucsd/sets/72157618050721966/
Or, join a yoga class through recreation.

Yoga is for all body types and ability levels.

LiveWell Vegan Recipe

Interested in a healthy and environmentally friendly meal? Check out this healthy recipe that's high in fiber and a great source of vegetarian protein.

This LiveWell recipe has been featured this quarter at Canyon Vista in Warren College and is scheduled to be at all of the dining halls in Fall of 2009. Keep an eye out!--- Becky McDivitt, UC San Diego Housing*Dining*Hospitality Registered Dietitian

Malaysian Quinoa [courtesy of Allrecipes.com]


INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups water, divided
1/2 cup dried soy chunks (textured vegetable protein)
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon canned cream of coconut
1/2 bird's eye chile, seeded and minced
1/2 green onion, diced
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
salt and pepper to taste

Boil 1/2 cup water, and pour into a bowl. Mix in soy chunks. Blend in peanut butter, cream of coconut, chile, green onion, and cilantro. Keep warm while the quinoa cooks.
Bring quinoa and remaining 1 cup water to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, until quinoa is fluffy. Stir in the soy chunks and peanut butter sauce, and season with salt and pepper to serve.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Servings Per Recipe: 2

Calories: 326

Total Fat: 9.3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 534mg
Total Carbs: 35.1g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Protein: 30.8g

De-Stress @ Stress Free Zone

LiveWell UC San Diego, CAPS, and The Wellness Peers are proud to present...

STRESS-FREE ZONE

June 3 from 10am to 2pm on Library Walk.

Come by to get free snacks and goodies!

• stress balls and palm twisters
  
• biofeedback demonstrations
  
• bubbles
  
• hi-lighters
  
• healthy snacks
  
• massages
  
• arts & crafts
  
• music & dancing