Stay Well Through Midterms and Spring Recess

Dear Students,

Spring recess, for many of you, is almost in sight. We at Columbia Health are reaching out about ways you can take care of yourself during this time, how you can make the most out of your upcoming break, and Columbia Health resources to support you.

Remember: Columbia Health is open through all of spring recess, and many of our services can be accessed even if you are not in New York. Please make an appointment or call us for any urgent concerns (24/7).
 
🔍 Note: the Columbia LENS Survey closes on Monday, March 11. Make your voice heard and help inform resources, policies, programming, and services for current and future Columbia students. You’ll also get $10 to pad your spring recess budget!

Things you can do for your well-being right now:

1. Take a break. Pencil in time for breaks to help you better cope with stress. It will provide a moment to recharge before moving on to the next task.

2. Make time for rest and meals. Aim for enough quality sleep to feel rested. Sleep is crucial to academic performance (among other parts of life). Additionally, eating balanced meals that fuel your body are key to maintaining energy levels.
📍Need a little help? Consult the 1440 worksheet to help you prioritize.

3. Share how you’re feeling. If you feel overwhelmed, ask a classmate, faculty member, adviser, or a Columbia Health provider to lend an ear – we’re here to help each other.
📍Virtual drop-in with an Alice! Health Promotion specialist
📍Urgent mental health concerns drop-in
📍Problem-solving/ coping skills drop-in
📍Check out free online resources for coping with distress

Things you can do for your well-being later:

4. Rest and reset. Use the recess to unwind. Try unplugging from digital devices or social media, catching up on sleep, or creating new habits and letting go of ones that don’t serve you anymore.

5. Build your well-being toolkit. Set yourself up for end-of-semester success by signing up for these workshops or support spaces offered by Columbia Health providers.
Time Management: Tue. Mar. 19 @ 12 p.m. ET
Reducing and Managing Stress: Thu. Mar. 21 @ 12 p.m. ET
Sleep 101: Wed. Mar 27 @ 12 p.m. ET
Responsible Community at Columbia: Fri. Mar. 29 @ 12 p.m. ET

On the Columbia Plan?
Master the Basics: Co-pays, Co-insurance, Referrals, & more!: Thu. Mar. 21 at 2 p.m. ET

Find a virtual support space or in-person support group from CPS that works for you.

Things to do for your health all the time:

6. Continue practicing essential prevention hygiene. This is especially important during travel. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into your elbow, and stay home if you’re not feeling well. Make sure you have all travel-related needs and resources (for example, medications, vaccinations, and health insurance).

7. Get help when you need it.

In New York:
Please check health.columbia.edu for up-to-date schedules or make an appointment. 24/7 phone support is also available for urgent concerns, even during holidays:

• urgent medical concerns, call 212-854-7426
• urgent mental health concerns, call 212-854-2878
• support for sexual assault or other forms of gender-based violence, call 212-854-4357

Wherever you are in the U.S. or across the globe:
All full-time students, international students, and students on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan have healthcare coverage while traveling across the U.S. and around the world.

Thank you for the steps you continue to take to keep yourselves and our community safe and healthy. Best of luck as you wrap up this first half of the Spring semester. We hope you enjoy a much-deserved break ahead; you’re almost there!

With care for our community,

Melanie Bernitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Vice President, Columbia Health
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (in the Center for Family and Community Medicine)