Have you had your Influenza vaccination yet?

The influenza vaccine is available from the University Health Centre from March onwards. Try to have your Influenza vaccination THIS MONTH  before the influenza season sets in. Influenza vaccinations are recommended and funded for certain groups of individuals in our community.  You can make an appointment for this by contacting the University Health Center either in person or over the phone (02 6201 2351).

Viruses such as influenza and those which cause the "common cold" tend to be more severe if you are not eating or sleeping adequately, not getting some regular exercise, and are generally "run down".

Although the influenza vaccine is generally about 70-90% effective against getting the "flu", there is also considerable anecdotal evidence the Influenza vaccine also modifies "common cold" resulting is a less severe illness often of a shorter duration.  A very important factor when you are a student.

Are you planning to travel overseas during the winter term?

If the answer is YES - NOW is the time to start planning your travel vaccinations.

Daylight Saving Ends this Month!

With daylight hours becoming shorter, the opportunity to get vitamin D through daylight exposure is also reduing. Taking a daily supplement of Vitamin D throughout the winter months is a good idea especially for international students who are used to greater year round light exposure.  You can ask at the Health Centre for a blood test to check on your Vitamin D level, and whilst doing so why not take the opportunity to check on your cholesterol and triglyceride level.

Do you need some information on dealing with Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal human experience and every person will be anxious on occasion. Ordinary anxiety involves feeling mentally preoccupied (worried) about events in the future or things that could go wrong. It can involve physical aspects such as feeling tight in the chest, breathing faster or sick in the stomach. Although anxiety is not a pleasant emotion, it can help us, as it is useful to anticipate problems and take action to try to make thing go well. We also know that when there is a crisis or we have to perform under pressure a bit of anxiety actually revs up the nervous system and improves our performance. This ordinary anxiety is often referred to as stress. Everyone’s life involves stress and feeling a bit anxious sometimes.

For further information on dealing with Anxiety visit:

• Mental Health First Aid:  Panic - Guidelines (PDF 552KB)