YEA Class #7

Health & Wellness

The 2011-2012 Young Entrepreneurs Academy wrapped up with its final class on June 9th.  The topic of the class was Health & Wellness.  Victoria Henderson, Cultural Awareness Center Coordinator at Sacramento City College focused on the Mind, Body, and Spirit during the first part of the class.  Mai Linh Tompkins, Program Administrator, at the Health Education Council spoke to the class during the second half about healthy eating habits and exercising in the workplace. 

Ms. Henderson began her presentation by having the students write down ten emotions that they had experienced, circling the positive ones and sharing their list with the rest of the class.  She went on to have the class write down ten positive words emphasizing that if you make it more positive, you become that positive person.  A discussion was had as to how emotions affect what else you are doing.  The class was asked about what gets them up when they are down and the responses included food, sports, books, and meditation quotes.  Ms. Henderson stressed that we all need something such as a scripture or a quote from somebody that will give you that inspiration to do what needs to be done.

Shawanda Dawson, a student at Sacramento City College stated that, "You can be very healthy eating wise, but if you're mentally not there it can hurt you physically and then you're not really healthy at all."  Marquis Lawson, also a student at Sacramento City College expressed, "You are in charge of your own happiness, you can't rely on someone else to make you happy."

Ms. Henderson ended with having the students write a letter to themselves on how they will change things regarding health & wellness based on what they learned in class and the letters will be mailed to them in six months.

Mai Lin Tompkins began her presentation with talking about health in the work place explaining that it's up to each person to decide what is best for them.  She went on to discuss worksite wellness focusing on organizing programs for employees that will enrich ones physical, mental, emotional and occupational well being.  Ms. Tompkins also went over some goals for worksite wellness including making the work environment more supportive, eating healthy, being physically active, and managing stress. 

The class was asked to stand and Ms. Tompkins led the group in several worksite wellness exercises: I Dream of Jeanie, lunges, and arm exercises.  She also showed the class what five pounds of fat looks like in addition to 16 packs of sugar that make up a 20oz bottle of Sprite.

Shawanda explained, "I learned that some things you eat can hurt you physically.  I have been getting migraines lately...I have to eat more healthy so my migraines can leave."  Marquis added, "The demonstration with diabetes and the fat being placed on the table [was shocking]. It's the small decisions that we make that can be positive or negative. ..with small steps there can be a positive outcome."