Hey Guys welcome back! The end of the semester is so close and the weather seems to improve everyday making me all the more motivated to work for a summer ready body! My health journey has remained rather consistent this past week and meal prep and yoga are still taking priority. I have been running a lot more hoping to drop a few more pounds. A friend of mine suggested running in a sweatshirt and I have been trying this lately to hopefully shed some body weight. While my body is adjusting to longer runs it seems to hurt my knees running on the treadmill so I think I will start running outside more. I have avoided going out to eat for the most part with some special occasions as exceptions. Being a vegetarian meal prep takes some creativity. It seems like I’m running out of options and I always make the same things so this week I tried a few different things. I made quinoa and veggies, broccoli fritters and falafel. My boyfriend tried falafel for the first time and actually liked it and said it tasted like chicken. I have been getting my steps in during my walks on campus. Instead of sitting in my car between classes like I usually do, on sunnier days I have been walking around campus. Easter set me back a bit because I ate a lot of sweets, but I refuse to let one bad day ruin my motivation and progress.
This weeks chapter is about violence and unintended injuries. The World Health Organization defines violence as the intentional use of physical power (threatened or actual) against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that results in injury, death, psychological harm or deprivation. Violence is typically associated with young adults who are otherwise healthy for the most part. Several factors increase the likelihood of violent acts, I will make a list of some of them below:
- Community contexts. Persistent poverty, environments where unsafe housing, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces increase risks of exposure to drugs, guns, and gangs. Shot staffed police and social services add to the risks.
- Breakdowns in the criminal justice system. Prisons being over crowded and the lack of availability of mental health services can encourage repeat offenses and future violence.
- Religious/ Political Differences. Extreme religious or political differences can lead people to think violent acts are okay.
- Stress, depression, or other mental health issues. People who are in crisis, are depressed, feel threatened, or are under stress are more apt to be highly reactive, striking out at others, displaying anger, or acting irrationally.
Homicide, or murder is the thirteenth leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly half of all homicides are between people who know each other. Hand guns are responsible for most homicides. Hate crimes are violent, or discriminatory acts against individuals or groups based on the offenders bias. Often race, ethnicity or religion discrimination is behind these acts. Domestic violence is violence against another in the home environment. This could be between lovers, siblings or parent-child. Emotional abuse, physical harm or verbal abuse are common forms of domestic violence. Nearly half of all women and men in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Sexual assault is a form of violence in which sexual acts occur without one parties consent. Rape is considered to be the most serious form of sexual assault and is forced penetration on a victim. Sexual harassment and stalking are two common forms of sexual violence, even when they do not involve physical harm. Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual advances. If your are feeling threatened of sexual harassment there are some things you can do:
- Tell the harasser to stop directly
- Document the incidence
- Never leave yourself alone with the harasser
- Reach out to an authority figure
The most common stalking behaviors included unwanted phone calls and messages, spreading rumors and spying. College students are 200% more likely to be stalked than anyone else. WOW. Stalking is also a crime that most of the time goes unreported. This may lead to further violence because no legal action is being taken. Assault can occur no matter what preventive actions you take, but commonsense self-defense tactics can lower the risk.
- Speak in a strong voice to your attacker
- Make Eye contact with your attacker
- Remain alert
If a rape does occur, there are steps that need to be made. First off call 911 and report the crime. Do not shower or clean yourself or your clothing because this may contain DNA that can help track down the attacker. Seek therapy, there are several therapists trained to deal with your situation and you should reach out for help in order to deal with what has happened to you. If a friend is raped, make sure to always be supportive and believing of the victim. Help them to reach out to counselors and police.
Unintentional injuries are another common form of injury. In 2016, over 40,200 Americans died of injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. Distracted driving is one form of activity that contribute to motor vehicle related injuries. Texting and driving and looking elsewhere are common forms of distracted driving. Distracted driving was a factor in 76 percent of rear-end crashes. Impaired driving is also another form of motor vehicle injury contributors. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can effect your ability to operate a vehicle and cause accidents often. In 2015, there were 10,265 people killed in alcohol impaired crashes. Injuries at home are a form of unintentional injury that can lead to pain or even unexpected death. Falls are the third most common cause of death from unintentional injury in the United States, causing 31,959 deaths in 2014. Workplace injury is also common in America. Lifting things that are too heavy may cause back injury. Lower back pain caused from strain is typically the cause of most disability among Americans.
Tori'sHealthJourney 