Recently, I experienced my first case of being sick in college. I had heard plenty of horror stories about the amount of germs that are spread on traditional college campuses where so many students are living and interacting in such small quarters. The difference at The New School, however, is that not only are we exchanging germs with each other, but with a plethora of people coming from every corner of the globe either to visit or live in our beautiful city.
As fantastic as the diversity is, it also comes with the difficulty of trying to maintain stable health patterns, which can often fluctuate depending on your exposure to inclement weather, public spaces, or even your own dorm cleanliness. In order to help out with trying to maintain a little bit of stability in those health patterns, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help keep you healthy and fully functioning.
1. Establish a Cleaning Routine
This is important not only for you, but for everyone who may live in your room, suite, or apartment. Establish one day a week when you can efficiently clean up both personal and communal spaces. Use disinfecting wipes on your desk, chair, doorknobs, and countertops to ensure no dust or microbes accumulate. Also, be sure to vacuum the nooks and crannies of your room – remember, just because you can’t see the mess under your bed, doesn’t mean it’s not there!
2. Wash Your Clothes Regularly
I know, hauling your laundry basket all the way to the basement level of your dorm building to wait for machines that may or may not be available is an absolute pain – but it’s also an absolute necessity. Just because your clothes don’t smell bad after wearing them, doesn’t mean they’re clean. In New York City, millions of people have probably walked, sat, or just generally interacted in some way with most of the same places you regularly visit. So wary and make sure that you aren’t carrying around germs that could also make others sick. P.S.,  if the prospect of doing laundry for the first time scares you, check out this helpful guide to reading the labels on your clothes!
3. Get Outside
According to BBC, there is a significant correlation with improved health, happiness, and productivity amongst people who regularly interact with nature. Get yourself to a park as often as you can, and no, the stroll past Union Square does NOT count. While it may seem as though we live in an urban metropolis with no interaction with wildlife, there are plenty of spots and ways to help you reconnect with nature. Try jogging around the JKO Reservoir in Central Park, hitting up the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, or going on one of the hikes planned by The New School’s very own Student Athletics and Recreation center.
4. Listen To Your Body
If you feel yourself getting drowsy, having the sniffles, or feeling lethargic, pay attention to what your body is saying to you. On those days, it is especially important to have strong, well-balanced meals with a focus on fruits and vegetables that will help support your health, and therefore, your success in school. If these symptoms are especially persistent, remember that the Student Health Services office is located on the third floor of 80 Fifth Ave., just across the street from the University Center, walk-ins and longer scheduled appointments welcome. Your body wants you to succeed, so listen to what it needs in order to be the best version of you possible.
5. Mental Health Is Part Of Physical HealthÂ
I could list hundreds of sources that state how integral the correlation between mental and physical health is, but to save you some time, I’ll just tell you that you really do need to be taking care of yourself. Schedule time regularly to do things you know you enjoy, as well as spontaneous new experiences – after all, we are in New York City, and there is no excuse not to be doing something exciting. Even if it’s something as simple as stepping out of your crowded dorm to sketch in Stuyvesant Square Park for a little while, remember that a break in your routine is important and essential to keeping your health stable and balanced.