Fight the Flu: Tips For Staying Healthy During Wintertime
Winter is upon us, and that means people are starting to get sick. Being in college, there is no shortage of opportunities to contract all sorts of ailments from your fellow classmates. Lecture halls, dorm rooms, and parties all call for close contact in small quarters, and bacteria and viruses are just waiting to find a new host. Nobody wants to be out of commission for a week – especially during final exams. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect yourself from that nasty rhinovirus that is making its way around your university.
Eat Well:
Although this advice pertains to life in general, it’s particularly important during the winter season. A balanced diet is your best chance to beat infection to the punch. Eating well supports a healthy immune system, so make sure you eat enough fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. If you aren’t sure what to eat, or how much, head over to choosemyplate.gov for some help. Food alone won’t protect you, however, so make sure you also stick to the rest of our flu-fighting plan.
Get Enough Sleep:
College students are notoriously under-rested, but winter is not the time to skimp on a good night’s sleep. Logging time in the bedroom (no, that doesn’t count) allows your body to recharge, keeping your immune system in ideal disease-fighting shape. It may seem difficult to get those eight hours of rest in between studying, partying and working, but believe us, your body will thank you for the effort.
Party Smart:
Parties are a great excuse to get out of the house and combat cabin fever. Unfortunately, they are a breeding ground for diseases and germs. Activities that should be suspended immediately include, but are not limited to: sharing cups, blacking out (your body won’t recuperate fully), and late-night bong circles. Making out with strangers will continue as scheduled, because, hey, some people like to walk on the wild side.
If You Do Get Sick, STAY HOME!
This is, by far, the most important part of this list. For the sake of everyone else in your life, if you do contract the winter snivvlies, get out of our lives till you are better (we mean this in the kindest way possible). The intrepid student who battles illness to arrive at her 8:30 class on time, only to sneeze into the hair of the person sitting in front of them, is not to be admired. Conversely, they should be peppered with snowballs until they succumb to their illness and accept their fate of solitude.
Category: Health
