With the colder weather approaching, UVM collegiettes would be wise to follow a few simple tips to avoid catching any of the million illnesses that make their way onto college campuses across the country. It’s nearly impossible not to experience a few sick days in your college career as you are sharing a couple campuses, classrooms, dining halls, dorm buildings, and a whole bunch of other nooks and crannies with a couple thousand different people. However, there are steps you can take to keep yourself healthy, and keep yourself going.
1) Wash your hands. You’ve been told this since your first day of Pre-K, but it is a crucial and easy habit to keep. Washing your hands rids yourself of any germs you may have picked up through the day, and if it’s difficult to make it to the bathroom, pick up some hand sanitizer to keep in your bag.
2) Up your daily intake of Vitamin C. This can be done by drinking a glass of orange juice (look for the 100% fruit juice label) with your breakfast, using an Emergen-C drink powder mix once a day, or taking a daily Vitamin C supplement.
3) Stay hydrated. The recommended daily intake of water for women is about 2.2 liters. To make sure you’re drinking the recommended amount, try to drink 2 Nalgene water bottles daily. Your body needs water in order to function properly and promote immune health. If you’re not a fan of the bland taste of water, try adding some fruit to make it more flavorful.
4) Drink tea. Tea is a homeopathic remedy to combat an endless list of illnesses and promote health in a wide range of areas. On your next trip to the grocery store, check out the tea collection and look for teas with antioxidants, herbal remedies, or other health benefits. Some tea companies create different teas that are used to combat a specific health issue. A personal favorite tea brand of mine that creates teas with a specific purpose is Yogi Tea.
5) Exercise. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports claims that active people suffer fewer colds than their sedentary peers. Experts state that exercise helps send antibodies and white blood cells throughout the body at a faster rate, fighting illnesses. Try to hit the gym for at least an hour a couple days a week, or get a group of friends to go on an hour run after class. If you do decide to get your work out outside, be sure to bundle up. I don’t think I need to remind you about Vermont winters.
6) Rest. Exhaustion and stress have extremely negative effects on your body, including making it more susceptible to viruses. Allowing yourself to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night will give your body time to rest and reboot from your busy days. And if you’re feeling especially tired, give yourself a break and take a nap.