So long Marquette

It is so hard to believe that I am writing my last blog to all of you right now. I remember writing my first blog almost two years ago when I started at Marquette as a transfer student. And now, it’s already all coming to an end. It is time for me to graduate!

Looking back over the time I have spent blogging for MU Employee Wellness, I realize how much I have grown myself. I knew right from the start that being well is more of a journey than anything else. It is not something you can just do overnight, but it is something we all have to work at. And although that can be hard sometimes, it is absolutely, 100% worth it. Being well means everything from physical, emotional, mental, social, intellectual, occupational, financial, spiritual, and more. Basically, wellness is anything that you want it to be. To me, wellness is anything that gives you life, not just simply surviving. My wellness is eating healthy, exercising regularly, creating a balance in life, making time for friends and family, spending time with animals, making art, enjoying the outdoors, and yes, relaxing too. Sometimes my relaxation includes binge watching Netflix, don’t tell anyone. But the point is, wellness is not quite what it first seems to be. It is not just about eating healthy and exercising, wellness is anything that makes you a better you.

My wellness journey has been anything but smooth, but I always manage to somehow motivate myself to get back on track. Wellness has played such an important role in my life, especially when trying to deal with health issues. And I am so thankful for everything in life that lead me towards always trying to better myself and to be well. I am especially thankful for having had the experience of sharing my journey and everything I have learned along the way with all of you. I am looking forward to continuing my wellness journey after I leave Marquette.

It is so bittersweet to be leaving campus and this blog, but I am beyond excited at the opportunity to grow myself and my wellness even further. I will be staying in Milwaukee (at least for a little while yet), so I hope to see you all out being well and enjoying Milwaukee’s summer.

I am off to accomplish some great things in life, I leave you all in the very capable hands of Diana. So long Marquette, it has been a great, although very short, two years with you.

Alicia Diedrich

Sun Fun

With warmer weather gracing Marquette’s campus recently, it is temping to want to bathe in the sun all day. From being trapped in Wisconsin’s winter tundra for so long, who could blame you? Sometimes being more aware of the sun’s capabilities is the best way to get the most out of every summer, while staying safe. Here are some facts to keep in mind when you are enjoying your time in the sun!

The most notorious negative that is always linked to sun exposure is skin cancer. On the contrary though, the sun and its rays can reduce the chances of other cancers such as pancreatic and breast, in specific. For both pancreatic and breast cancer, those who live in places with more cloud cover are more susceptible to it due to the lack of vitamin d.

Have you been feeling your mood change lately in accordance to the nicer weather and the sunny skies? That is no coincidence! Sunlight itself releases serotonin chemicals that reduces your stress and altering your mood for the better.

Your body makes vitamin D when you are exposed to the sun. Despite the benefits it offers to having healthy bones and brain, it is important to remember that there are safer ways to obtain it through your diets or supplements. It doesn’t take much to get the recommended amount of vitamin D through sun exposure, so don’t risk it if you know that you are tempted to overdo it. Vitamin D has the potential to protect the heart. Research shows that those who have been diagnosed with skin cancer are surprisingly less likely to have a heart attack. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular disease, so having a proficient amount of it in your system can only help benefit the heart.

When you think of lung health, you typically don’t associate its connection with the sun. But sunshine surprisingly has the potential to make the air we breathe dirtier. The UV rays trigger the release of chemicals that form smog that ultimately contributes to air pollution.

The sun has the potential to provide both good and bad results when it comes to our health. So I encourage you to go outside and catch some rays, but to also remember that everything is best in moderation.

Diana Banzon