What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “grief”?  

Far too often, we think of grief in terms of dealing with the loss of a loved one or illness. But we can also grieve the end of something –  a relationship or a major life change –  or even having to come to terms with something being different than we expected, like graduating during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

The pandemic has changed so much of our lives, and shifted the college experience in a major way.  

• Maybe you were in the middle of your first year in March 2020 and have yet to return to campus. 

• Perhaps you are graduating this spring and have to celebrate virtually.  

• Maybe you didn’t get to have the college roommate experience 

If you have had a tough time being able to celebrate your accomplishments, you are not alone. For years you have dreamed about what your college experience or graduation day would look like, and now it is completely different. 

It is ok to have complicated feelings about ending one chapter and beginning another.

While some students may have dealt with grief related to the virtual learning transition, including moving off campus, there may be students who are grieving the loss of a loved one or having to take care of an ill family member. The grieving process typically happens in five stages: 

1. Denial 

2. Anger 

3. Bargaining

4. Sadness

5. Acceptance

Unfortunately, grief is not a linear process and sometimes you go back and forth between stages. But don’t fret. While grieving is not an easy thing to deal with, over time the intensity will decrease. 

As you process major life changes during these unprecedented times, here are some tips to help with the transition:

• Two things can be true: You can be excited to graduate and be disappointed that you will not have the traditional graduation.

• Any milestone that you have been able to accomplish this year is a MAJOR feat.  Your resilience and tenacity are remarkable and should be celebrated.

• Find safe ways to reconnect with your support system so that you don’t feel alone.

• Practice self-care to help you cope with the tough days.

• Contact the UMBC counseling center to schedule an appointment and learn about the available resources to help process your grief.

Remember, grief is not reserved for loss. Major life transitions can result in a mix of emotions that may be hard to explain and that is normal. Grief can hit in waves, with you having good days reflecting on the good times followed by a series of bad days filled with confusion, sadness, and anger about what has transpired. During tough times, recognize that you are not alone, lean into your support system, and trust that it will get better.

April is Financial Literacy Month. Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on our financial well-being. But first, let’s acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted our physical, social, and financial lives in some way. The pandemic has

• Increased unemployment in nearly every state.

• Highlighted the impact of socioeconomic inequality, particularly for women and people of color. 

• Changed the way college students learn. From connecting with study partners online to the infamous WebEx meetings, students and educators have been resilient through all of the past year’s challenges.

With the promise of vaccines available to all adults 16 years of age and older, the nation is grappling with the prospect of an economic recovery. And yes, before you ask— financial well-being IS a component of wellness. We must challenge ourselves to broaden our scope of what financial well-being means to us. Financial well-being is more than how much money you have in your bank account. Financial well-being is how we define our relationship with money. 

In honor of Financial Literacy Month, here are a few ways to make your relationship with money healthier.

1. Take inventory of your personal finances.Write down how much money you earn each month. Next, write down your fixed and variable expenses. Fixed expenses reoccur each month. This includes housing, tuition or student loans, and car payments. An emergency fund, which most experts agree should cover 3-6 months of expenses, is also a fixed expense. Variable expenses change each month, depending on your daily spending habits. Variable expenses include eating out, personal services (e.g. hair and nail care), clothing, and entertainment.
2. Create a budget. Now that you know how much money you earn and spend each month, you can create a budget that reflects your financial goals. Write out how much money you will spend for fixed and variable expenses each month. If you desire to grow your emergency fund, try reducing your variable expenses. Likewise, if you would like to move into a new place, start investing, or even give to a charity, you may be able to do this by saving more of your variable expenses. Just remember, your budget is more than a suggestion. You should aim to stick to your budget as much as possible if you want to achieve your goals.
3. Ditch the financial guilt. Whether we spent too much money eating out or missed a scholarship application deadline, we have all made a poor financial decision at some point in our lives. Your past relationship with money, which may include judgment, shame, and guilt for some, does not have to predict your financial future. If you purchased an item outside of your budget, it may not be too late to return or sell it. Regardless of your previous spending habits, you can always adopt new habits that prepare you for a healthier future.
4. Overcome FOMO. Everyone has felt the fear of missing out, or FOMO. From your friends planning a Spring Break trip for 2022 to seeing someone in a seemingly expensive new outfit on Instagram, we are wired to want to join others in their social media highlight reels. Nonetheless, comparing your financial journey with others is a sign of an unhealthy relationship with money. Your budget, financial goals, and income, will likely look different from your peers. It’s okay to skip an activity if it hinders you from sticking to your budget. To overcome the FOMO, try replacing this activity with an enjoyable activity that fits your budget.
5. Seek sound financial advice. Let’s face it, not all of us come from a family or culture in which money is openly discussed. Finances remain a taboo topic for most college students. We can combat unhealthy stigmas about money by seeking professional financial advice. Fortunately for students, UMBC’s Financial Smarts offers virtual tools for managing money at no cost. Check out the program’s CashCourse, CASHCoach, and CashClips at https://financialsmarts.umbc.edu/programs/. 

National Financial Literacy Month is both a celebration and a call to action. Maintaining a healthy relationship with money can be a daunting task. But, by taking small steps each day towards financial wellness, you can create a healthier tomorrow.

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “physical fitness?” You may have thought about a physical education class or maybe even a social media fitness influencer. But there’s more to physical fitness than meets the eye. 

Fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks without excessive fatigue. It’s best to think of physical fitness as a commitment to moving more each day.

The CDC recommends that adults get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two hours of strength training each week. 

Fitness isn’t limited to those who frequent the gym, athletes, or self-proclaimed fitness gurus. 

All students, regardless of body composition, fitness level, or ability, can benefit from some form of movement.

Even small increases in the amount of movement performed each day can:

• Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• Release endorphins that improve mood and reduce anxiety
• Improve quality of sleep
• Promote concentration and overall brain health 

Moving more can be a chore for many of us— but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips that’ll make you look forward to incorporating more movement in your daily routine.

1. Motivate each other. Build connections with others by joining a virtual fitness class or working out with a roommate. Encourage each other as you achieve fitness goals.
2. Mix it up. Plan different activities to avoid boredom.If you did a yoga class one day, try water aerobics or dancing to your favorite songs the next day. Create an inspirational playlist to get you through the toughest workouts.
3. Start slow. If you’re new to physical activity, try starting off with light-intensity activities like taking a leisurely walk or doing dumbbell curls using water bottles or lighter weights. Then, gradually progress to moderate and vigorous activities like jogging, playing a sport, or doing a high-intensity chair workout. 
4. Reward yourself. When you achieve a fitness goal, treat yourself to something that brings you joy like your favorite meal or a new clothing item.
5. Use your resources. There are plenty of sample workouts, weekly fitness journals, and how-to guides on apps like YouTube, TikTok, Nike Training Club, and Strava. Some YouTube fitness channels with workouts for individuals of all fitness levels include—

• Fitness Blender
• Blogilates
• PopSugar Fitness
• Kym Perfetto (formerly Kym NonStop)
• HasFit

For more information on how you can get moving here at UMBC and in the greater Baltimore County community, please visit the following resources—

• UMBC Retriever Activities Center (RAC)
• UMBC Office of Health Promotion
• Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks

Monday, March 29, 2021, marked the first day of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s criminal trial for the murder of George Floyd. Although this trial comes 10 months after George Floyd uttered his last words “I can’t breathe,” the trauma may still be fresh for many of us.

If you are choosing to tune in to listen to the trial, you may be reminded of the history of systemic racism, discrimination, and injustice that plagues our society and negatively impacts members of our UMBC community. When we are treated unfairly or when we witness discrimination of others that look like us or our loved ones on a day-to-day basis, we can start to feel helpless and hopeless. In these moments of increased distress, it is important to cultivate hope through positive acts of self-care.

If you are intentionally not choosing to tune in to the trial because of the impact it may have on you, that too is self-care. Here are other ways that you can make sure you’re taking care of yourself while continuing the fight for social justice:

• Listen to your body’s needs. Your body needs consistent nourishment, upkeep, and exercise. That includes eating a nutritional diet, grooming, moving regularly, getting enough sleep, and addressing any health issues. Find activities that make your body feel well-loved and comfortable, and schedule out some “me time.” Remember, self-care is not selfish.

• Find your community. Surround yourself with people who affirm your experiences and support you. Join communities that are inclusive and care about social justice. Talking with others not only sparks new relationships or re-sparks ones that may have been fading, but it also works as a therapeutic method to express your thoughts and feelings, bounce ideas off each other, and even engage in conversation outside of current events. Even though everyone copes differently, that does not mean we need to do it alone.

• Know your limitations and avoid burnout. Over-information is a real thing. With how quickly information spreads in today’s society, it is easy to always be consuming, summarizing, and distributing information often without proper evaluation of what information is key or accurate. Protect your mental health and emotional energy by knowing when to turn off your newsfeed and social media notifications. Give yourself room to reflect on and process the information covered in the meantime.

• Get help if you need it. If you would like to process your emotions with a mental health professional, consider contacting the Counseling Center between 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at 410-455-2472 to schedule an appointment or 410-455-3230 after hours. You can also reach out to the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b), or the Women’s Center.

• Support others if you have the emotional capacity. Check out these anti-racism resources curated by UMBC offices:

• The Counseling Center’s resources to address systemic racism, racial trauma, and anti-racism, and ways to get involved

• OEI’s non-exhaustive list of anti-racism resources and UMBC resources for allies

• I3b’s community call to action

• The Center for Social Science Scholarship’s anti-racism reading and resource guides

• The Women’s Center’s how to be an ally

• Dresher Center for the Humanities’ list of Baltimore and national organizations to follow

• We Believe You’s petitions and funds

No matter what your self-care practice looks like, don’t forget to incorporate it into your daily life as you continue to fight for social justice.

The Office of Health Promotion (OHP) mourns the victims of the horrific shootings in Atlanta on March 16. These attacks are just the latest among a nationwide rise in violence, discrimination, and xenophobia directed towards members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community this past year. During a time of uncertainty, we know that these events can cause additional fear and anxiety in members of our UMBC community. 

Here at UMBC, we welcome people from all backgrounds. Specifically, the OHP’s team, which includes our professional and student staff, is firmly committed to promoting the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their cultural background, race, or ethnicity. As we continue to reflect on this past year and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, remember that the words we use and the actions we take matter. Let’s continue to strive to create an inclusive campus that not only acknowledges and condemns violence, but also the discrimination and stereotyping that have negatively impacted communities throughout the country. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, community, and country.

To the AAPI-identified members of our UMBC community, the OHP staff stands in solidarity with you during this time, and always. We are listening. We value you. We support you.

If you would like to process this past week’s events, or any other experiences, with a professional, please contact the Counseling Center at 410-455-2472 between 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to make a virtual appointment. If you need support after hours, please call 410-455-3230. 

If you are in need of additional inclusion resources, we encourage you to contact the following UMBC offices:

• Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b)

i3b@umbc.edu

• Office of Equity and Inclusion

oei@umbc.edu

• Women’s Center

womenscenter@umbc.edu 

If you would like to take action, check out this list of action items and resources gathered by UMBC’s Asian & Asian American Faculty & Staff Council.

College students are facing academic demands as well as the physical and mental demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Especially during this time, focus on what you can control, such as maintaining healthy eating habits. Eating balanced, nutritious meals is associated with improved academic performance, strengthened immune system, and increased energy.

Here are some easy and budget-friendly tips to prioritize healthy nutrition at UMBC and help you get that A!

• Make healthy substitutions on- and off-campus.
• You may have noticed that True Grits and several other campus restaurants give students the option of choosing fresh fruit instead of fries or chips to eat with their main course.
• Off-campus restaurants also provide side salads, cooked vegetables, and fresh fruit. So skip the waffles fries and go for that red, shiny apple (or sour green one) instead.
• Eat the rainbow. Think of creative ways to include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your diet. Throw a handful of spinach in your breakfast smoothie. Choose a plant-based meal at True Grits. Get festive with bright spring favorites like lemons, strawberries, and asparagus.
• Control your portions. The buffet style dining experience at dining halls or the unbalanced portions served at many restaurants may tempt students to eat more than necessary, but listen to your stomach. Try eating half...your future self will thank you. If you’re snacking, avoid eating straight from the snack’s original container and put one serving on a small plate instead.
• Prepare several meals ahead of time if you’re living off-campus. Do you find yourself stopping at a fast food restaurant because you’re running short on time? While fast food restaurants may have some balanced options, we are more likely to eat balanced and affordable meals when we prepare them at home. So skip the Happy Meal occasionally and try your hand at a home cooked meal. Try making large portions of a couple meals on the weekend and separate the larger portions into smaller portions to eat during the week.
• Manage “stress snacking”with planned snacks and meals throughout your day. Aim to limit yourself to 1-2 snacks a day. If you find yourself reaching for processed snacks such as chips and baked goods frequently, try substituting them with a handful of mixed nuts, a cup of yogurt, or a piece of fruit. Eating a couple snacks each day can provide a boost of sustainable energy to get you to your next meal and keep you from falling asleep during your virtual lectures.

For more tips on prioritizing healthy nutrition or to schedule a virtual appointment with our campus dietitian, visit https://dineoncampus.com/UMBC/meet-your-dietitian.

We’re almost one year into the COVID-19 Pandemic and it seems like the worry about when it will end is constant.  

The COVID-19 vaccine may be a hot topic among you and friends/family, on social media, and in the news. New information emerges every day, but we do know that mask wearing, physical  distancing (six feet!), hand washing, and the COVID-19 vaccine together will help to slow the spread so we can get through this pandemic.

Before we get into the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, let’s talk about Vaccines 101

• Vaccines provide immunity to common viruses, like the Flu, Pneumonia, and chicken pox

• Vaccines prevent us from either contracting or decreasing the severity of illnesses that could be life-threatening.  

• Since childhood, many of us have received vaccines to prevent illnesses like the Chicken pox, measles, and mumps.

• Vaccines help to keep us and the people around us healthy and free from illness

Getting a “new” vaccine can be a little scary, but it is important for us to know the facts. Here’s what we know so far about the COVID-19 vaccines:

• Three are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration from Pfizer, Moderna, and the Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical companies

• The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses within 21 or 28 days of the first shot. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine requires one dose.

• Although the vaccines prevent serious illness, you must continue to practice physical distancing, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

One of the greatest myths is that the COVID-19 vaccine will inject us with the virus. That is UNTRUE.

• Two of the existing COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) use mRNA instead of a live weakened virus, to trigger an immune response. The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine is an adenovirus vector vaccine. 

• The immune response produces antibodies that help our bodies fight infection if the real virus enters our bodies. 

• Again, you WILL NOT be injected with the COVID-19 virus.

• The goal of the vaccine is to prevent serious illness if COVID-19 is contracted.

What to expect once you receive one of the vaccines:

• You must wait 15 minutes for the doctor/nurse to monitor an allergic reaction

• Mild symptoms (fatigue, soreness at the injection sight, dizziness, slight fever) that stop after a day or two

• Experiencing mild symptoms is a sign that your body is building immunity

Currently, vaccine distribution is happening in phases based on factors such as age, occupation, if you have pre-existing illnesses that put you at risk for contracting COVID-19. Visit your state health department’s website for more information about your eligibility.  

Remember to wear your mask (double up if you choose), wash your hands frequently, and practice physical distancing. Quarantine and get tested if you begin to show symptoms. Be sure to visit UMBC’s COVID-19 response website for more resources. 

Together we will get through this pandemic!