How to Avoid Online Distress

Sponsored by the Counseling Center

We all know that our electronic devices can cause extra stress in our life, especially when we’re all online for school and work and communicating. Follow these tips on how to limit your online/social media usage and avoid letting it take over your life when it’s all that seems to be taking up your time:

• Have ‘free’ time daily - pick a time every day where you put your phone or laptop on silent and away from you, and do something that takes your mind away from your electronics and social media, such as reading or meditation!

• Set a timer on your phone - there are settings on smartphones that time how long you’re on a certain app, and it automatically closes out of it for you when you reach that time, that way you won’t spend four hours on TikTok!

• Charge your phone in a different room - this one is hard but if your phone isn’t readily available to you, you’ll probably be less likely to go on it right away in the morning or at night, and you’ll also have to get out of bed to check it.

• Spend an hour each night and each morning offline - Following along with that last tip, limiting your computer and phone use especially at night will help you relax and settle down and ultimately have a better night's sleep!

• Take regular breaks - if you spend hours sitting at your desk on your laptop working or doing school, allow yourself time to get up every half hour or so (or more often!) and walk around, stretch, grab a snack, and rest your brain.

UW-Stout Counseling Center

410 Bowman Hall (Clocktower Building)
Office: 715-232-2468   Hours: 8AM-4:30PM

• We are currently providing Telehealth services via Microsoft Teams to virtually meet with Stout students.  As always, these sessions are confidential and at no additional cost to enrolled students. You can schedule an appointment by calling the above office number.

• Check out our Counseling Center website and Facebook page for more information on ways to have a great semester.

• Emergency and Crisis Resources: Call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency. Other mental health crisis options that are available 24/7 include:

  • Northwest Connections: 1-888-552-6642 (local area, Western WI)

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

  • Crisis Text Line: text hello to 741741

Enroll now in 2-Step

Enroll early for these great reasons: 

1. Secure websites, firewalls, and other tools help keep us safe, but compromised credentials get right through them. 
2. Don't be that person- if you give up your credentials, your account will be used to phish your friends and co-workers. 
3. With 2-Step, you will always know if someone else tries to use your password (like your ex or parents).     

2-Step Enrollment Schedule: 
October 6th - Students with last names beginning with A–E 
October 7th - Students with last names beginning with F-K 
October 8th - Students with last names beginning with L-R 
October 9th - Students with last names beginning with S-Z

Sponsored by: LIT
For more information contact: Heidi Catlin
Website

The Quill - Issue #2 October 2020

October's issue of the Quill is ready for you! The Quill is a collaborative newsletter brought to you by the Dean of Students office, Disability Services, Fostering Success, the Involvement Center, McNair, Multicultural Student Services, The Qube, Student Support Services, and Veterans Services. Check it out!

Sponsored by: Dean of Students
For more information contact: Dominique Vargas
Newsletter