‘The only way we can take care of others is if we first take care of ourselves,” UK President Eli Capilouto says in a health message

Kentucky Health News

Before he became an academic and a university administrator, Eli Cailouto was a public-health dentist. He returned to his roots in his latest campus-wide message as University of Kentucky president, promoting preventive measures as the weather cools, we spend more time inside and viruses circulate more. It’s aimed at the UK campus but is generally applicable to everyone.

As we continue to settle into the academic year, I encourage you to prioritize taking care of yourself.

Be healthy.

Listen to your body. Pay attention when you don’t feel well or when something doesn’t seem right — when in doubt, check it out. We have an outstanding, world-class health care system that is here to take care of you.

Get outdoors. Visit a garden, go to the park, take a walk. Exercising outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and ease your mind. The arboretum — open daily from dawn until dusk — has beautiful gardens, a two-mile paved path and a half-mile trail through its woods.

Prepare yourself. Vaccines are safe, effective and an important way to stay healthy. Employees have access to multiple pharmacies and clinics that offer flu, Covid-19, RSV and other vaccines. Flu shots are also available to UK students at University Health Service, UK retail pharmacies and various on-campus flu shot clinics. Find more information here.

The only way we can take care of others is if we first take care of ourselves.

I hope you will join me in making every effort to stay healthy this fall and winter season.