Mount Hood

Opening up for mental health

Tips for talking about mental health disorders and disabilities

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

One of the hardest things when struggling with mental illnesses or disabilities can be telling others about it. Disclosing one’s mental health status is important to medical professionals and potential employers for a plethora of reasons and can even reduce stress levels, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Here are some tips to make others aware of an illness or disability while maintaining comfort. 

  • Who should be told. Make a list of people who do not already know about the status of one’s mental health. Ensure that they are trustworthy and free of judgment. Opening up to these people should feel like a breath of fresh air once done.
  • Determine the appropriate time and place. If the disorder or disability hinders the ability to work for any reason, informing an employer is a must. On the other hand, telling a random person at the grocery store is not necessary ⏤ unless assistance is needed. Add these people to the list, as they can help prevent anxiety-filled situations or episodes by knowing beforehand.
  • What to tell them. Plan what one would like to be disclosed; for example, if I were disclosing my bipolar disorder to a friend I would let them know what moods to expect from me when I am having an episode and how long the episodes may last. Feel free to also share positive experiences that have happened as a result, such as something it helps with or experiences created by it. Planning what information to tell the person beforehand can reduce stress. 
  • Suggest support options. Depending on the relationship to the person being told, let them know what could be needed from them. Here are some examples of what this can look like for:
  • A significant other: “When I am in an episode, it would help if you gave me physical space. I get triggered when I feel this way and am touched.”
  • A friend at the bar: “I’m on medication and am not supposed to drink. Can you be there for me and encourage me so I feel like I still belong?”
  • A parent: “I know I need help but making appointments causes anxiety for me, can you help?”
  • An employer: “Some days my mental illness affects me in strange ways. If I am doing something wrong or make you uncomfortable, can you let me know instead of reacting right away?”

 

Remember, disclosing personal information about a mental illness or disability is always the choice of the person affected.

In times of crisis, reach out for help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a free hotline open 24 hours a day at 800-950-6264.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

 

 

Does the Western community follow through on their New Year’s resolutions?

Western students share their successes and shortcomings with their New Year’s resolutions

Mollie Herron | News Editor

At the beginning of every year, without fail, there is an overwhelming amount of people who decide to get in shape. There may even be some who decide to learn how to cook, play a new instrument or speak a new language. 

We all try our best to follow these goals, but let’s be honest, are we all going to start working out for at least one hour a day and learn how to cook from scratch and completely master the ukulele just because we promised ourselves we would? I asked Western students and professors about their New Year’s resolutions and whether or not they achieved them. This is what our community had to say.

Jordan Ehrhardt, Western senior and physical education and health major, said that his resolution was to work out five times a week. Unfortunately, he said that he was not able to fulfill that goal but did keep up with an impressive three or four times a week so far.

Another student, junior exercise science major Ethan Flanigan, also made a goal regarding exercise, except he strives for six days a week. Flanigan says that so far he has been reaching that goal and keeping up with proper nutrition and hydration to assist in the upkeep of such a task.

Dr. Anna Hardin of the biology department says that her resolutions were not formally made but in general she wanted to run more and improve her woodworking skills. 

“I started running in the fall and then when the term got busy I stopped and I want to get back into it,” Hardin said. 

Since she made her goals more vague than other clear cut examples, she thinks she will be able to stick with them and reach her goals by the end of the year.

I made my own resolution to wear all the clothes in my closet so I can finally see once and for all what clothing I don’t actually wear. I have always had a problem when it comes to clothing, that problem being that I buy things to wear once and shove them deep into the void that is my closet. 

Remembering resolutions after hastily making them on New Year’s Eve is the easy part. Continuing to follow through for the next 365 days is where it gets difficult.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

 

Felicity Martin: Where would you go?

Interviewing Western students on their dream travel destinations

 Sarah Austin |  Lifestyle Editor

With COVID-19 limiting travel for many, I set out to create a piece where I ask students their travel goals if they had nothing holding them back. This week, I caught Western senior Felicity Martin to chat about her bucket list dream.

If you could leave tomorrow and go anywhere with no financial or personal responsibilities, where would you go?

Japan.

What draws you there?

A lot. I like the culture. I watched anime a lot growing up. I have really come to (like) the spiritual and architectural side of Japan. It’s sort of weird. Going through therapy is weird seeing how Japanese culture has affected my upbringing. I want to be able to close that gap.

Is there a specific thing or place that draws you in (cuisine, architecture, natural beauty, nightlife)?

Ikebukuro. There’s this shrine, I don’t know the name of it but there’s this monk that visited a shrine and a local monk showed up and it was totally there. When they were cleaning it this sun ray hung over the center of the shrine. 

What key things would you do while there?

Visit every novelty cafe. The cat cafe, succubus, butler cafe. The Portlander cafe where everyone wears flannels and pretends to be a Portlander. I really want to get a bowl of ramen from a small town, something that an everyday person in the community would eat. Not that it is authentic in presentation and composition but in its execution, in a manner of speaking.

What barriers keep you from actually going?

Money and responsibilities. Money is the biggest, but if I didn’t care about my responsibilities to other people I would find a way there. Oh, and I don’t know Japanese ⏤ I would want to when I go.

If you had a week off of responsibilities, using your current funds, where would you go?

The (Tsubaki Grand Shrine) in America.

Where is that?

In Washington, it was the first shinto shrine built in the US.

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Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

DIY gifts for Valentine’s Day

Three Valentine’s Day gifts for that special someone

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money, and for many people a homemade gift can be more meaningful. Here are a few ideas of gifts to make for a significant other, crush, friend or even roommate. 

Date night jar.
This gift is great for a Valentine who has a hard time thinking of date ideas, or activities they love so both parties feel appreciated. 

Supplies needed: paper, a permanent marker, scissors and a jar or box.

Instructions: On a sheet of paper, write in one color activities both people can do at home; examples include game night, movie night, cookoff, paint night, cook for one another or no electronics night. Cut to size and fold in half, then place in the jar. On the next sheet in a different color write activities to do together that do not cost money but require going somewhere; examples include hiking or having a picnic at the park. Lastly, repeat in another color activities that can be done together that would cost money; examples include “dessert on me”, dinner at a desired restaurant or “a golf match on me.” Write the key and attach to one side of the box or jar so everyone knows.

Memory album.
This is a beautiful gift to give someone important.

Supplies needed: printed photos, a scrapbook or photo album and a pen.

Instructions: Choose photos of the gift receiver or memories shared with them, then print. After printing, arrange photos and put them in the scrapbook or photo album. If desired, add labels or captions. When done, write a card or just give to the person and watch them relive and re-love the memories before them.

“Crazy about you” notes.
A heartfelt gift to be cherished forever.

Supplies needed: Strips of paper or small sticky notes, a mason jar and a marker.

Instructions: Using the paper strips or sticky notes, write on each one something that is appreciated about the person it is being given to. Fold or roll up, then place in the jar. They can read them whenever they want as a pick-me-up or right then to feel the love.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

To die for dinners

Three Valentine’s dinner recipes for both couples and singles

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day dinner is a date night staple. Cooking for that special someone can be the perfect way to their heart — through the stomach. Here are three recipes to spice up the night.

CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Start to finish: 45 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

3 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cups baby spinach

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Lemon wedges, for serving

In a skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper and oregano. Cook until golden, 8 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet then set aside. Melt butter in a skillet then stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook until tomatoes are about to burst, then add spinach. Cook until wilted. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low, about 3 minutes. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 – 7 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe from Delish

 

SEARED SCALLOPS
Start to finish: 9 minutes
Yields: 12 – 13 scallops

1 pound fresh large scallops (12 – 13 pieces)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

¼ cup butter

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped

2 lemon wedges

Pat scallops dry with a paper towel then season with salt and pepper. Add oil in skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes until oil sizzles. Once the pan is hot, place scallops in. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn scallops over then add butter and garlic to the pan. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top then cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer onto a plate and sprinkle parsley on top. Serve with lemon wedges.

Recipe from Ahead Of Thyme

VEGAN LINGUINE
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Yields: 2 servings

One 15-gram wholemeal linguine

1 lime, zested and juiced

1 avocado, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

½ pack fresh chopped coriander

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 red chili, finely chopped

Cook pasta according to the package, about 10 minutes. Put lime juice and zesting in a medium bowl. Combine with avocado, tomatoes, coriander, onion and chili. Mix well. Drain pasta and add to bowl, then mix. Serve while hot, or refrigerate and serve cold.

Recipe from BBC Good Food

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Besties for the restie

Tips to making long lasting relationships

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Finding and making friends as an adult can be difficult. The first thing to recognize is that it all starts with making an effort ⏤ whether it be putting oneself out there, or finding someone with similar interests ⏤ and it can be tiring. Making that move can be the difference between finding a friend for life, and spending time alone — which is okay too, if preferred. All relationships take effort from both sides, so doing one’s part is important and if unable to, asking for help or communicating can mean the world. The following four pillars of friendship, when followed, can help ensure this.

  1. Making friendship a core value: by implementing relationships with friends as a core value, one is able to make a deep connection and build a support system for all parties to appreciate. 
  2. Team building activities: when others feel comfortable being themselves they are more inclined to make a life long friendship. Ideas for this include group yoga, working out together, creating videos for social media, game nights, paint nights and even a white elephant gift party, depending on the time of year.
  3. Sharing priorities: by communicating and sharing life priorities with each other, a deeper friendship can be established and bonded upon. This can include things from career and family goals to traveling and fitness.
  4. Establishing rituals: having set days or things that can be done for one another or together is a perfect way to strengthen both the friendship and one’s own mental wellbeing.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Ideas for hosting PALentines

Four ideas for a friendship party

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

Many people have heard of “Galentine’s” ⏤ a girl’s night before Valentine’s Day for singles to avoid loneliness. PALentine’s is even better, swapping significant others for friends of any gender or relationship status for the sole intention of enjoying the other’s company and having fun. Here are four party ideas to make any PALentine’s event enjoyable.

Host a themed meal. Choose the meal of preference ⏤ brunch for example ⏤ and pick a theme to follow. Have everyone show up dressed for said theme. Whether it be a “white lies” or “country western” party, everyone will feel included.

Drink competition. Let attendees know they will need to have a recipe for their drink of choice, and have all the necessary ingredients to make drinks with. While everyone is hanging out and chatting, one person will make their drink and bring out a cup for each person to try. After tasting, each person should score the drink on a piece of paper, then the next will begin to create their drink. Repeat the process until everyone has gone. The host should count all votes and name the best drink at the end. All participants should drink responsibly.

Game night. Have each person bring a game to the party and play each one by one. Let the winner of the last game pick the next game. This can go on for hours if time permits.

Hike and a picnic. As Pacific Northwest dwellers, a great amount of people love the outdoors. What better way to celebrate friendship with them than to go on a pretty hike and fill up on yummy food? This can be done as a destination surprise or be planned.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

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