If you test positive we ask that you isolate yourself at home. If you are a residential student, we encourage you to go home. If this is not possible, please discuss with your roommate(s) and isolate in your room. All students who test positive must follow the including masking and avoid contact with others, except to get medical care.   Contact your professors directly to notify them of your absence.

Summary of What to Do:

1. Students do not have to notify the Health Center of a positive COVID test. You may contact the Student Health Center for any health-related questions.
2. Students who test positive for COVID are required to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and wear a mask for 10 days when around others.
3. Stay or return home. The University is not moving residential students or roommates to isolation or quarantine spaces.
4. Notify your professors of your absence.
5. During your five (5) days of isolation, you may leave your room to go to the bathroom or to  pick up meals wearing a well-fitting mask. You are expected to always wear a mask for the full ten (10) days from the start of your isolation when around others.
6. Follow to determine your return to campus date.
7. Remain off campus during your isolation period. You cannot attend in-person classes or activities
8. You must wear a high quality mask for days 6-10 when you leave isolation and are around others.

I Have Been Exposed to COVID, Now What?

If you were exposed (no symptoms) to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed you should do the following:

1. Wear a mask immediately
2. Monitor for symptoms of illness
3. Test for COVID based on the . If you test positive, follow the instructions above.

If You Are Sick…

Students who are sick can contact the Student Health Center who will advise you about managing your symptoms and evaluate your need for an appointment.  You will be asked to do a home COVID test which can be purchased at the �鶹��ý���� bookstore (1st floor of the Student Center) or at CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, Walmart, Target.

As a reminder, stay home anytime you are sick – whether it’s COVID-19, the flu or another illness.

Class Absence

The Student Health Center does not provide excuse notes for class absences.  Please contact your professors to determine how to address missed classes.

Resources for All Students

1. Student Health Center – confidential health services for all matriculated students. No insurance required. 973-655-4361
2. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – confidential mental health support for all matriculated students. No insurance required. 973-655-5211

Emergency Medical Services – on campus ambulance with EMTs. Call 973-655-5222 or 911

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I enjoy doing in my spare time? Decide what you want in your life and take the time to add these things into your weekly schedule.
• What would I like to learn more about? Decide what you are curious about and write down ways to research these topics. Create a plan to incorporate these into your life.
• Am I happy with my life? Is there something that needs more attention in my life? If you are not happy, then pinpoint areas in your life and gently address them. If you are happy, then remember to tell those you love and appreciate how you feel.
• Am I content with my job or jobs? Decide what activities you enjoy and do not enjoy doing and then work on finding opportunities to make a change. Sometimes a conversation with a friend is all you need to help get the ball rolling on a possible career change.
• How can I find more energy and happiness in my day to day? Helpful tip-get outside more. Go for walks or grab some lemonade and pack up a picnic basket and head to the park as a start.

Stop comparing yourself to others. We may want to achieve certain things that others may have already done, but there is no need to endlessly compare ourselves to others. Everyone has a different path and comparing yourself will drain you and also lower your confidence. Instead, work on what you need to do to obtain these goals and write down an action plan of what steps need to be taken along with a realistic time frame.

All in all, decide on what you want and make a list on how to get more of what makes you happy. Decisions start with you and no one can make you change your focus and mindset except for you. Even the smallest steps can make a difference in your life. Life is too short to be unhappy, but it is up to You to make a change.

                                    Written by:

                                    Amanda Cuoco

We need to get outside and walk more often. We need to find a friend to talk to on our walks and check in with one another. We desperately need human interaction and although we may not be able to be fully unmasked, we at least can implement the safety procedures that have become the new norm. We need to stop making excuses as to why we can’t get out and just go. Spring is right around the corner and the earth is calling to us to reunite safely. We must remember that we are stronger together and by getting out and even saying hello to a stranger can make us feel connected again. Human connection is important for our mental and physical health. Go outside and let go of that screen for a while. Here’s to finding the light in us again.

                                     Written by:

                           Amanda Cuoco

1. Get more sleep. Not having enough sleep has an effect on your gut health. Try going to bed earlier for one full week or sleeping for at least 7-8 hours per day to see the difference this can make in your mood.
2. Decrease your caffeine intake. Instead of drinking coffee 3 times a day, try 1 cup a day or lessen what you are currently taking in. Too much caffeine can make us feel jittery and junky. Stop the junky vibe.
3. Stay hydrated and avoid sugary drinks. Instead of grabbing a diet coke or a sweet tea, try drinking water with every meal. That sugar in those drinks tends to have you wanting more sugar throughout your day. Can’t do it? Grab a friend and hold each other accountable for one week at a time.
4. Enjoy your meals at a slower pace. Set aside time to eat and enjoy your food slowly. Food is fuel and can be enjoyable if we manage our time a little better.
5. De-stress. Stress can be at every turn these days but great ways to de stress can be simple daily habits put into place like going for a walk, exercising, meditating, connecting with others, laughing with your family or friends. Focus on the things that make you feel happy and do more of those things on a daily basis.
6. Your diet. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to change your diet. Look at what you eat on the daily and take note of the things that are heavily processed and try to eliminate them from your diet. When you are ready to fill your fridge with healthier options try shopping on the exterior of the grocery store. The interior of every market is filled with processed foods. Fill your basket with more produce and freshness that can be found on the exterior of any grocery store.
7. Try bone broth. One of the great healers for your gut is bone broth. Bone broth is rich in protein, aids in soothing intestinal issues, it supports immune function, contains anti inflammatories, many vitamins and minerals and is loaded with collagen.
8. Take a probiotic. Probiotics are excellent supplements you can find at any drug store. They are a great way to improve your gut health. Contact your health provider to see which one best suits your needs.

Having a healthy gut means living a healthier life. Small steps are key in order to make long lasting changes but no one can make you do it, you have to want the change and take one step at a time in order to recharge your gut. Don’t wait for tomorrow, start living a healthier life today.

Written by:
Amanda Cuoco

The first step is acknowledging where you are today. No matter how ugly or how good you have it, we must accept the present in order to make any changes. Acceptance is difficult and many people do not like to view themselves as they are and that is OK.

A great way to check yourself is to jot down all the negatives in your life. Get it all out on paper and look at it and take it in. Once you are able to view all that negativity you will find more reasons to turn those things into positives. It is comparable to the Marie Kondo Method. Clear your closets and dump everything you own into a room and look at it, breathe it and understand that these are all the things that can weigh you down. Then ask yourself the question, “Does this spark joy?”

Once that is done, jot down all the positives in your life. Accept what you have in this column and take it in and see what you would like more of. Write down the items that make you the happiest and make you feel alive.

Next, jot down your thoughts and aspirations for the year. Dream big and write it down no matter how crazy it sounds. Then, compare all your lists. Look deeply into who you are today in this moment and accept it. Once you have come to terms with who you are you can begin the process of change. Start eliminating the things you want to get rid of in your life or things you want to do less of. Try to find the things that you enjoy most and focus on where you would like to be in the next few months.

Life is not meant to be perfect. You will fall and mess up. You will win and you will prosper but no matter what you will still be you. There is only one you and you have the power to change course at any moment. It starts with recognizing who you are today and realizing it is time for change. Everyday is a fresh start. Let us learn from our past and keep pushing for a brighter and happier future.

Written by:
Amanda Cuoco

Find stillness. Sometimes the best way to deal with all this pressure is to be still, to stop for moments at a time and do nothing. Sit outside and stare into the sky with a cozy warm coat, hat and gloves. Turn your phone off or leave it alone for a few hours and just let it all go. Chanel into your own intentions and daydream. Take deep breaths. Relive some of your greatest memories of joy and laughter and connect with yourself through thought. Listen to the breeze, the energy of the day, the cars going by, a dog barking or music playing in the background, whatever it is just listen. Listen to how you feel at these moments of stillness. Let go of your problems even if it is just briefly. Breathe deeply and inhale positivity and exhale negativity. Know that there are others out there who may be feeling the same things you are and send positive vibes out to a stranger.

We are not perfect beings and we need to be able to find moments of stillness to release the noise of the world. Believe that this too shall pass. Sending positive vibes to anyone who needs them. Be well and find a peaceful place to be still.

Written by:
Amanda Cuoco

First thing is first, we must listen to our bodies and determine what is best for us. We are all built differently and not everything will work for everyone, so we must adapt to the things that will benefit us the best. Here are a few helpful questions to guide you into starting your workout regimen:

• Do you feel tight and your body is always aching? Start by adding simple stretches for at least 10-15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. As we age our body tends to get tighter and therefore needs to be stretched out even if it is minimal. Stop saying you will wait for tomorrow or Monday because all days are practically the same now!
• Do you feel irritable and grumpy a lot? Go out for a 15-30 minute walk. Clear your head and get out for some fresh air. Move those legs. Feel the energy of the outdoors and inhale deeply and exhale that negativity.
• Do you still feel grumpy after that walk? Then you should try some cardio. Cardio helps with blood flow and circulation, overall physical endurance, weight loss, stress, increases metabolism burn, and releases dopamine and serotonin which will help to make you feel good and energized.
• Do you feel like you need more zen in your life? Try Yoga. There are some excellent benefits to yoga including increased mobility and calmness along with strength building. Yoga is not about all these crazy poses that only flexible people can do, but it can really change the way you feel and energize your mind and body.
• Do you feel like you need to lose weight? Try weight lifting. Weight lifting is a great way to boost your metabolism, burn more calories, and help to increase bone density. Weight lifting doesn’t mean you have to go out and purchase all this equipment and weights, it simply means you have the opportunity to get creative and can even do resistance training with workout bands.

YouTube has so many great online videos with endless workouts for free. They also provide so many great tips and tricks if you don’t have the proper equipment. It may be difficult to begin so try asking a friend or a family member to hold you accountable for 2-3 days each week.

Remember the only way to feel different and help yourself is to change your daily habits. You can do it!

Written by:

Amanda Cuoco

Reconnecting with old friends and family can be very helpful during this transition into fall and winter. Especially when travel is going to be tricky this season. You may never know who you help and who also may be able to help you. Going through your list of contacts will ignite those old memories both good and bad. Try to let the bad go and focus on the ones that bring you joy and laughter. Take out a pen and paper and write down anyone you would like to chat with. Write down the last time you remember speaking to that person. Take time to really think of everything that has happened since. Go down memory lane and write down your favorite memory with them. When you make the call, leave a message with that memory in mind.

Sometimes when we are too caught up in our solidarity, we tend to only focus on what we are feeling. We tend to forget that maybe somebody out there may be needing you right at this moment, even if it is just a phone call. Most of the times when we help others, it ends up helping us in return. You never know who might be needing you this season. Take time to reach out and reconnect with someone. The world needs more connection and it starts with you.

Written by:

Amanda Cuoco

• Begin by creating a space for yourselves in a quiet spot. Doesn’t matter where, it just matters that it is a peaceful place for relaxation.
• If you are in a chair, let your hands rest gently on your legs and sit up straight. If you are on the floor, relax your legs and sit up straight.
• Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of your breath.
• Relax your eyes and breathe.
• Focus on you the way you are breathing.
• Find peace in this brief moment of your day.
• If your mind starts wandering away, just go back to the sounds of your breath.
• Try this for 5-10 minutes a few days a week.

Meditation is not a practice in religion but more of a way to find stillness and calm your mind. If you have never tried meditation before, now is the perfect time to embrace something new.

The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts. It’s to stop letting them control you.

Be still for a moment and breathe.

Written by:

Amanda Cuoco

It starts with how we shop at the grocery store. Try to stay on the perimeter of a grocery store when you shop. When you get into the middle isles of a store that’s where you find much more of the processed foods. The perimeter of your grocery store gets changed out more frequently and is where you can find the produce and better healthier options.

Produce is important. The more produce we have in our diets the better we feel. Try packing your cart with delicious vegetables and fruits. The richer in color a vegetable is, then the more antioxidants and vitamins it has. Some great options are beets, spinach, carrots, eggplant, blueberries, cherries, kale, purple cabbage, etc.

Portion control. Try having smaller meals instead of packing everything in. When we stuff ourselves we regret it almost immediately after so why do we do that to ourselves? A helpful tip is to use a smaller dish. We tend to eat everything that is on the plate so might as well try using a smaller plate.

Lastly, try staying away from sweetened drinks, saturated fats, over processed foods, fatty and processed meats. If the goal is to feel better we need to change what we put into our bodies.

Remember to drink more water. Be good to your body, we only get one.

Written by:
Amanda Cuoco