UT Tyler's Pollen Storm

              It's that time of year again, water eyes, snotty noses, and heaps of used kleenex !
Here are some home remedies you can try for those pesky allergy symptoms!

Pollen Storm arrives at The University of Texas at Tyler

I have never experience allergies until I move here to UT Tyler for college. Coming from the Dallas area, the pollen count here at East Texas is WAAYY higher. Basically, I have been experiencing the worst case of allergy EVVEERR. The whole runny nose, sneezing, congestion, throat hurting, fatigue, and just feeling down right yucky :(

At some point, I really thought I had the flu last semester! After going home and then coming back to Tyler multiple times , I realize that I feel awful when I come back! Now I can officially confirm that it is allergies and I finally started taking Zyrtec.

That is not dirt, that is indeed pollen

Well, everyone is different, which means different medication reacts to each person differently. As for me, Zyrtec makes me drowsy, and I couldn't take it everyday as I would like to help with the symptoms since I really think my professors wouldn't appreciate me passing out in class... So I had to stop taking it and suffer through it. I just thought nothing is going to work and I will be feeling miserable FOOREVVEERRR (a tad bit dramatic hehe).

Another you guys don't know about me is that my skin is EXTREMELY sensitive. It's ridiculous! Sometimes I wonder why I don't just live in a bubble.. but I started getting hives  on my chest!  (I know gross and too much information) but it turns out I'm allergic.

Yes, I have Chlonergic Urticaria AKA allergic to my own sweat. Sad day. So I finally went to the doctor to find out how I can control this nasty allergies. So now who has 2 prescribed medication to take daily? This girl... Don't worry guys, after a week and a half of taking these medication my chest is under control and hives free. :) Now only if the rest of my symptoms could cooperate...

So enough of my complains about allergies. I know a lot of you guys probably suffer from allergies as well. Especially since  it's spring! Here are some home remedies you might want to try before you try the prescription stuff!

1. Drink LOTS OF WATER! 
2. Use saline solution: This might not be for everyone but irrigating the nose may help soothe upper respiratory by removing irritants.  
3. Drink some peppermint tea! Peppermint's essential oil acts as a decongestant and substances in peppermint contains anti-inflammatory. And if you are in the more adventurous try wasabi or horseradish! This kicks your sinuses and tear ducts to over drive! clears your sinuses right up! 
4. Steam your face. Steam will soothe irritated sinuses and helps get rid of mucus in the nasal passages
5. Go to your local drugstore and find yourself some good ol' allergy medication. Mind you these don't come cheap so look for coupons!

If you don't even want to bother with these then go ahead and talk to a doctor.
Remember students- The Clinic!

Tyler Yoga In the Park

As college students, we tend to have a pretty stressful time in college. With studying, jobs, friends, and everything else in between, it's we can get pretty wound up! I know I do! It is also really hard sometime to find time for ourselves. Not necessarily hanging out with friends and going out somewhere, but actual time to take a step back from the fast pace world and RELAX in a very calm and peaceful environment. Yes, as in YOGA relaxing :) 

Most people know yoga as doing those really crazy, bendy, seems impossible kind of poses. And before I actually went to classes, both traditional and power yoga (more fast pace and cardio), this is what I thought it all was. When I took my power yoga class for a fitness class here at UT Tyler, we wrote a paper about the benefits of yoga. And yes, if you Google, you will find out that it has SO many benefits such as, it helps with flexibility, strength and posture, but also helps with  asthma, arthritis, blood pressure, insomnia, and depression. Go ahead and research yourself about the benefits!

If you don’t have time to go to weekly classes that are offered in HPC or at your gym! Or, look into the group they are forming in Tyler!

Tyler Yoga In the Park’s first run will be April 21st at noon in the Bergfeld park. It would be just a gathering of people wanting to get some sunshine and exercise now and again! With a yoga enthusiast who will lead an easygoing 1 hour yoga session for all levels :) 

They are starting a group that does casual yoga in the park for about an hour on Sunday afternoons during good weather about once a month. 

Please join them! It is totally free! There are no commitment or anything like that so this is all voluntary and all up to you.

I think it’s an awesome idea! So come out when you feel like your Zen, serenity and your inner chi could use some boostingJ

Eating Healthy:)

Now for eating healthier, that's a bit trickier. I have such a hard time with this since, we can all agree that most people tend to lean towards the unhealthier food selection. They are just SO good! Maybe start off my giving up some junk food you really like but know is bad for you. I myself gave up drinking soda and right now I'm trying to cut back eating chocolate ( oh my goodness, it's SOOOOO hard. I feel like I'm experiencing chocolate withdrawal).  I'm not a doctor or anything like that, this is entirely an opinion of a girl who has gotten through all these pressures that most girls go through. It's easier sometimes to focus on negative things about yourselves, but say and acknowledge at LEAST one good thing you see in yourselves and focus on that instead of the negatives. I'm working on that , I tend to get really hard on myself, but if I can do it, I bet you guys can too:) Just always remember, to do things that make YOU happy.

Be Happy!

       Last weekend, I went to North Park Mall while visiting my boyfriend for his birthday weekend. He was nice enough to actually attempt to go shopping with me that afternoon. Since I got a gift card from H&M for Christmas, we decided that since I'm a broke college student we can get my shopping fix there and still not spend too much money.
       We got there and of course it's the weekend and it was CROWDED and I mean wow... the line for the dressing room alone was starting to wrap around the store. So bless his heart, he was in there with me picking out clothes... ya he lasted maybe 25 minutes, but I have to hand it to him, that was longer than I expected him to stay.
          So of COURSE I checked out the clothes that were on sale. I was in need of new pants, so I looked for some. I usually am either a size 2 or 4 depending on the designer. So I picked up pants that we're around that size and also found a pair that was a size 6.
         Hey, I am not a size snob, whatever fits and what works I'm cool with. So I go get in line and waited.. and waited... and waited some more to get a fitting room. So I try the size 2's, didn't even get pass my upper thighs, tried the 4's then the 6 and the same problem...

Roommate Rules

Today, at UT Tyler, I was in class... on tumblr. 

Class hadn't started yet! ;) I was early for the parking, and killing some time. I ran across a question about what makes a good roommate! We have come on the blog about a few personal experiences, but not the bare bones of what is generally good practice with living with someone that isn't family! 

1. Mind your noise, and if they’re being too loud ask them to turn their netflicks down, or whatever. Or text them something nice like, “Volume, bro. :)” 
2. Find out our methods of communication! The text didn't work? Try a note! A conversation! 
3. I solemnly swear I won’t be too messy. If we lose the path from the door to our beds we have problems with more than each other, the fire marshal, too. Ask them to clean with you! 
4. If it smells, don’t just shut the mini-fridge or leave the trash bag there. Do something about it. 
5. Don’t move or mess with their stuff. If things get messy, see rule two. 
6. Respect their space! This means their territory and their body. Without their consent, you can’t see or touch their anything. 
7. Take medicine for your health? Some meds are considered controlled substances, so know where they are located at all times. 
8. Maybe stash things you consider valuable (cash, SS card, meds) in that cabinet in your room. You can attach a combination lock that only you know the code to open. 
9. Wash your hands. Actually, that should have been rule number one. OHall’s many door handles are the perfect place to contract the flu. Don’t play, you need to be healthy to study/work/do what you do. 
10. Know the rules and policies for drinking on campus (dry) and be sure to stay safe.
11. Do unto your roommate as you would have them do unto you.

So, after a few different experiences, these are what I decided to highlight. Does anyone have any other suggestions? 

Summer Internships

       Any major you settle in to at UT Tyler will be benefited from that whole real-life experience deal. You know, the reason most of us go to college in the first place? :) It's easy here, because it's who you know. I've been lucky enough to make those good connections through the clubs and classes I have been in my three previous years at UT Tyler. If you know where to look, it isn't difficult to find some free experience!

        Through Samantha Dwight, my advisor in student clinic and student counselling center, I was able to get about 15 hours a week of work in health and prevention for my fellow college students. This internship will hopefully give me the experience I need to possibly work in higher education health and wellness. It feels good to be on the right track for my future.

So, the question is, what do you want to do? Our professors and advisors are here to help!