Optimize your Health

Get the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Find vaccines in Coconino County.
• Find vaccines in Arizona.
• Find vaccines nationally (can also text your zip code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233).
• Get your questions about COVID-19 vaccine answered.

Get adequate sleep. Strive for 7-9 hours most nights.

• Read about how COVID-19 affects the sleep of college students.
• Visit the Campus Health Services Sleep Resources webpage. Includes a sleep assessment and apps that can be downloaded).
• Find tips to improve sleep.
• Learn more about specific sleep problems.

Movement provides so many benefits to a students’ well-being, mental health, and academic performance. While COVID-19 limited access to gyms or other places where students get exercise, there are options. Think creatively and try to get your heartrate up for 20-30 minutes most days. It does not have to be a “workout” either. Try dancing, video stream a workout off YouTube, try video games that require movement, record your step count, try hiking, or cleaning.

• Explore Campus Rec.
• Read about the importance of staying fit during your college experience.
• Try Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer, a free, straightforward fitness app for Apple users.
• Download Simple Yoga for free beginner to advanced yoga instruction for Apple users.
• Check out Couch to 5k, a free running app for Apple and Android users. The program is nine weeks long and includes coaching and podcasts.

During the COVID pandemic, many students described changes in their eating habits. Some changes mentioned included snacking behaviors due to boredom and access to nutritious food. Get back on track and eat nutritious foods such as fruit, vegetables, and nuts and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Beat COVID-10 by boosting your immune system by improving your diet!

• Visit the Campus Health Services’ Nutrition webpage for resources on campus like medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education and learn where to get access to nutritious foods.
• Check out Louie’s Cupboard if you are struggling to afford groceries.
• Read 7 Healthy Eating Tips for College Students.
• Download Fooducate for free tracking and food education.

Cigarette smoking and vaping has been shown to increase the risk of more severe illness from COVID-19 according to the Center for Disease Control. If you currently smoke, try to quit. Here are some resources:

• ASHline is a free resource in Arizona with ASHLine Quit Coaches, options for medications and nicotine replacement therapies.
• Quit vaping by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709.

Did you know you are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities? Improve your overall wellness and practice a safer way to spend time with other people who don’t live with you by getting out into nature.

• Learn more about Forest Bathing.
• Check out the camping resources and trips through Outdoor Adventures.
• Learn more about the local plants, scenery, and wildlife.
• Use Alltrails to find walking, hiking, biking trails-the basic membership is free.
• Explore the Flagstaff Urban Trails (FUTS)-you can also follow them on Facebook and twitter for updates.

Socializing and getting involved on-campus can be done online or in-person.

• Find ways to get involved at NAU.
• Join a club or organization on campus.
• Try face to face social networks like Marco Polo for both android and apple users.
• Use MeetUp to meet new people and explore new activities.

Screen time has increased significantly during the pandemic. Create better health and balance by limiting time online using trackers to help.

• Use the Space-free app to break phone addiction.
• Flipd: Focus and Study Timer-free productivity, time tracker with mindfulness tools.
• Flora- Green Focus. Free to-do list and screen time habit tracker that plants real trees for user’s healthy habits.

Create a routine each day to create a sense of normalcy.

• Follow these tips to help you create a routine.

Find the silver lining- practice gratitude for the things you appreciate.

• Read more about how gratitude changes you and your brain.
• Download a Gratitude: Journal App.
• Find free gratitude journal downloads.

Engage in relaxation activities that help to manage stress, such as meditation, deep breathing or virtual yoga.

• Explore free guided meditations.
• Find relaxation techniques for stress management.

Moderate your alcohol consumption to fewer than 7 drinks per week for women and 14 per week for men. Reach out if you are worried about your consumption or that of a friend.

• Check in with your habits using Screen U.
• Learn more about alcohol and other substances.
• Find help for your substance use.
  

Monitor your mental health and seek help if needed.

• Use on campus counseling.
• Find a therapist or psychiatrist, filtered by location and insurance.

Engage with Live Well NAU

• Get a flu shot on campus.
• Check out Arizona’s Influenza College Challenge.

If you are sexually active, know your status and know your partner(s)’s status.

• Campus Health Services offers STI testing by appointment, call 928-523-2131 to schedule
• Coconino County Health and Human Services has $20 STI testing appointments for people aged 19 and younger, there is a testing clinic for people over the age of 19 too.  Call 928-679-7222 to schedule.
• Planned Parenthood offers STI testing: call 928-779-3659 or book online.
• Find testing anywhere in the United States.