Unit 9: Health

Learning Objectives

After you have completed this unit you should be able to:

• Define healthy eating habits
• Describe the major risks of an unhealthy diet and the benefits of healthy eating
• Recognize the temptations not to eat well in a college setting
• Identify techniques for making healthy food choices
• Identify the benefits of regular exercise, for both body and brain
• Plan a regular exercise program that works for you
• Identify benefits of sleep for both physical and mental health
• Examine your current sleep habits
• Identify ways to ensure good sleep habits and high-quality sleep, especially during periods of stress
• Explain what substance use and abuse is and identify the warning signs that help may be needed
• Describe the effects of smoking cigarettes on the body
• Describe the effects of alcohol use and abuse on the body
• Describe the effects of prescription and illegal drug use and abuse on the body
• Identify resources for further information and guidance about substance abuse
• Identify sources of stress, particularly for college students
• Describe the symptoms and effects of chronic stress
• List healthy ways of managing stress that fit your current lifestyle
• Identify the difference between occasional negative emotions and more serious mental health issues, such as anxiety disorder or depression
• Explore practices for ensuring mental health and emotional balance in your life
• Identify resources for further information and guidance about mental health issues
• Identify sexually healthy behaviors, including protecting against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease
• Identify risks of sexual assault, including date rape, and where to go for help
• Define safety consciousness
• Describe strategies for staying safe on campus and elsewhere
• Identify resources for learning about safety in college