Every year when the weather changes and temperatures drop, everyone seems to get sick. It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat, but it seems that you’ll inevitably end up at McKinley getting a cold pack and some Advil. It may seem like getting sick every fall is unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to lower your chances of getting sick.
Wash Your Hands
Washing up is one of the easiest and most important things you can do for your health. It’s especially crucial to wash your hands before eating or touching your face. Not to freak you out, but think of everything you touch in your daily life – door handles, seats, desks, pencils, phones, books. Now think about all the other people who touch those things every single day, too. Yuck! If you don’t want to worry about trips to the bathroom to constantly be washing your hands, try carrying around a bottle of hand sanitizer that can fit in your purse or backpack.
Try to eat a healthy diet
Especially vitamins! It’s so easy to go through college without thinking about eating healthy. Why eat a salad when your dining hall has pizza? However, nutrition plays an important role in keeping you healthy. Food rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients are so important for maintaining your healthy immune system. Eating foods high in Vitamin C (or grabbing some Emergen-C from Walgreens) can help your immune system do its job properly.
Utilize campus resources
There are lots of health resources here on campus. Of course, McKinley Health Center has tons of resources for students who aren’t feeling well. However, if you want to avoid McKinley there are lots of other healthcare options both on- and off-campus to help if you’re feeling sick.
Get a flu shot!
Your best chance at avoiding the flu and all the nastiness that comes with it is getting a flu shot. Even better, McKinley routinely holds events giving out free flu shots! Check out the calendar here.