With the cooler months creeping in, colds and flus are spreading around like wildfire this time of the year! I’ve always been pretty good about not getting sick, but when I do occasionally, I’m sick for like two weeks and its total misery the entire time. *Ugh!*Being sick when you have a million other things you have to do isn’t fun for anyone, especially a stressed out college student. Too bad there aren’t sick leave built into the curriculum like it is for a full-time job. So besides living in a bubble for the rest of your college days, here are a few things you can do today to stay healthy in college and hopefully stay sick-free.
Stay Up to Date on Your Vaccines
Vaccines should be a given, but I’m going to include it just in case. Getting your flu shot and any other vaccines that you need is easily the most important health tip! At most student health centers, vaccines are either completely free or at low-cost to students, so take advantage of it next time you’re walking by. A shot only takes a few seconds and prevent you from having some serious illnesses later on.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Let’s be real, people are dirty, and you never know what germs you’re picking up throughout the day. Things like railings, door handles, elevator buttons, exercise equipment, and desks are breeding grounds for some nasty bugs that you don’t want to catch this season. Make it a habit to carry hand sanitizer around with you so you can sanitize anytime on the go.
Sleep 7-8 hours a night
Sleep is the most important aspect to make sure that you stay healthy in college. When you’re sleep deprived, your immune system actually weakens, which makes it a lot harder to fight off any bugs that you come into contact with. Forget trying to pull any all-nighter this season or you’re in serious trouble! Head to bed a few hours earlier than normal to make sure your body gets the rest it needs.
Avoid Sharing Everything
Sharing is not caring during the flu and cold season! Try to avoid sharing with people that even seem that they may have the snuffles. Don’t share food, drinks, or anything else that may get infected with their germs. If you can’t help it, then make sure to disinfect anything that they’ve come in contact with afterwards and wash your hands any chance that you get.
Bundle Up!
Remember when your mom used to tell you to cover up before leaving the house on a cold day? Well she wasn’t crazy! The whole point of covering up, especially your chest, is to hopefully prevent you from getting a cold and a sore throat. You can still look cute this season but put on a coat and a scarf before leaving the house. You can always take it off once you arrive at your destination.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is super important and helps your immune system have the energy to fight against any infection. Plus your body needs water to survive so give it what it needs. It’s recommended to drink 8-9 cups of water daily to meet your body’s needs. The easiest way that I’ve noticed to keep up with my water intake is to carry around a cute water bottle and to flavor the water with berries, lemons, and other fruits that’ll make my drink taste like more than just plain ol’ water.
Eat Healthy Meals & Snacks
I feel like I’ve mentioned this tip before in a previous post, but either way it’s still solid advice! Getting healthy meals and snacks will increase your energy level and give your body the boost that it needs to keep on going. When I was taking exams back to back, eating a good solid meal before one of them always made me feel so much better. Junk food wears you down and makes you feel exhausted instead of fueled like you should be. So skip the fatty snacks and cookies for a nice green apple or a cooked meal, if you want to stay healthy this season.
Stay Away from Alcohol
This tip is for the same reason as the other tips. Your mind, body, and soul have to be healthy and in-line if you are planning on staying healthy in college. Alcohol is essentially a poison, and it’s unnecessary for life. Now while it can be fun at dinner or during a night out, don’t make it a habit of drinking on a regular basis. Alcohol is known to cause memory loss and other health problems, especially during binge drinking episodes or long-term use. Any time that I’m gearing up for a big day, I skip my glass of wine or cocktail for a week before an exam or any time that I’m not feeling that great. It’s made a big difference, I promise!
While I love the changing of the seasons, I don’t love the viruses and bugs that subsequently come with it. It’s no fun being sick in college, especially when you’re stressed out about life, homework, and relationships. I hope that you learned a few tips in today’s post! Leave a comment below with your favorite ways to fight off a cold!
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