Healthy Skin Month - Benefits of Moisturizing

Winter is almost upon us and cold weather is lurking outside. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to our skin during Healthy Skin Month in November.

We use heaters, hot showers and electric blankets in an attempt to stay warm during the winter months, but these attempts can be harmful to our skin. The get warm quick options can lead to redness, itchy, cracked dry skin.

UIS Assistant Director of Recreational Sports Amanda Jillson has four ways to keep your skin beautiful. She recommends getting enough sleep, moisturizing, exfoliating and hydrating.

“Who would have thought that sleep contributes to the way our skin looks. Sleep generally allows the body to rejuvenate and repair,” said Jillson.

She also suggests drinking 8 to 10 – eight ounce glasses of water a day or juice to bring out the radiance from your skin.

A rough cold and flu season is leading to more hand washing, which can be tough on the skin. Jillson says that’s why it’s so important to use lotion to moisturize.

“Apply moisturizer to your body and face. This can be a lotion, body cream or oil. It’s best to apply moisturizer after a shower when your skin is still fresh,” said Jillson.

Jillson hopes people will use these tips to keep themselves healthy during the winter months. If you have questions e-mail her at ajill2@uis.edu.

Supplements and Body Image

Did you know that sometimes supplements could be too much of a good thing?

“You want to be careful in the amount of supplements you’re taking. You always want to consult your physician before taking something and just to kind of read into the data,”said Amanda Jillson, associate director of recreational sports.

In a perfect world, everyone would know exactly what and how much to eat for both optimal health and peak performance. Unfortunately ours is not a perfect world and most of us are left on our own to decipher the implications of current research findings or the latest nutritional fad.

“Even though a supplement is labeled natural it’s not always safe. Sometimes natural means they’re not mild or without any side effects so you always want to be cautious of the supplements you’re putting into your body,” said Jillson.

Jillson took the message about supplements and healthy body image to the “Love Your Body” Day Fair on October 21, 2009. She also talked to students about finding their “healthy weight”.

“The average person today is about a size 12 not a 4 or 6 and it’s how you feel on the inside not always about what the scale says,” said Jillson.

Jillson would be happy to sit down with anyone on campus to talk about supplements and body image. For more information contact her at ajill2@uis.edu.

Some information used in this report is from the American Council on Exercise.

Think Fit Not Fat

Could you go an entire week without using the word “fat” to describe yourself or others? That is the challenge during national “Fat Free Talk Week” that starts on October 19, 2009.

“It’s time we started changing our mentality, our language and the way we think to Fit Not Fat,” said Amanda Jillson, associate director of recreational sports.

Over 10-million women suffer from eating disorders every year, which is more women than are diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It’s ok if you have candy and cookies and sweets it’s just having them in moderation,” said Jillson.

She says thinking "fit" is not all about physical fitness or even eating healthy. It’s about the entire spectrum of wellness that includes spiritual, environmental and financial wellness.

Recreational Sports hopes to spread that message to everyone on campus at the “Love Your Body Day Fair” on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Jillson will be talking to students about supplements and the effect they have on the body along with finding your happy weight. The event is being organized and sponsored by the UIS Women’s Center.