It’s that time of year: the lecture theatres are ringing with the sounds of coughing and sniffling from all directions and the corridors stink of Olbas Oil. We’ll all get Fresher’s Flu at least once in our lives so instead of getting down about it, do something about it and follow these top tips for a more tolerable, fluey experience and a speedy recovery!
1. Cut down on the drinking: Fresher’s flu is miserable enough without having an awful hangover on top of it. You’re not being boring having a night in instead of going to drink yourself silly in Loveshack on a Wednesday night – you’ll feel so much better after a good night’s sleep and will be so much more refreshed than your friends for nights out after your recovery!
2. Invest in a water bottle: I can’t think of many things worse than being sat in a lecture when all of a sudden you’re overwhelmed by a sudden fit of violent, tickly coughing that won’t go away. You’re clearly disturbing everyone else and the lecturer is looking a bit narked as well, so next time take a water bottle and save yourself embarrassment and discomfort!
3. Replenish your mini pharmacy: Stocking up on all the essentials is imperative to eventually conquering fresher’s flu. Take a trip to Boots or Superdrug and grab yourself lots of tissues, Sudafed, paracetemol and Olbas Oil!
4. The Two Pillow Technique: It sounds like something your Mum would say but it works – propping your head up with more than one pillow in bed prevents those nasty throat tickles and stops you from waking up the whole corridor with coughing and spluttering. Definitely worth a walk to wilko’s to buy more pillows!
5. The magic of hot drinks: Although drinking lots of orange juice will help boost your Vitamin C levels and help alleviate your cold/fluey symptoms eventually, hot drinks like tea and Lemsip are amazing quick fixes for your sore throat – stock up!
6. Hot showers: When you’re ill and away from home, all you want is a huge hug from your Mum – having a steaming, hot shower is probably the next best thing! The hot water will relax all your aches and pains whilst the steam from the shower will work wonders at clearing your blocked nose. Most importantly you’ll feel clean, refreshed, relaxed and ready to start partying again soon!