It’s still that dreaded time of the year- cold and flu season. Now that everyone’s back on campus and situated, it feels like everyone you know is getting sick. It’s truly like a minefield of sickness out there. If you find yourself feeling under the weather, don’t worry: it’s not the end of the world! The following tips helped me when I was sick, and allowed me to stay on top of the flu.
Take it easy- Get rest
I know it’s a cliche, but genuinely, as a sick college student, getting enough rest can be the difference between a quick sickness and a prolonged torture-fest. Try your best to go with the flow of your body, allow for some downtime, and get some sleep! Additionally, light stretching can help relieve tension and pain (think slow-flow yoga).
I think as college students, many of us don’t let our bodies rest even when we’re not sick, especially when we have rigorous course loads. When sick and bed rotting, you might feel like you’re being lazy, but I cannot stress this enough: do not feel guilty for listening to your body.
Go to the doctors- no, seriously
Take a trip to the doctor, whether that be UHS or your primary care provider. I recommend making an appointment prior to physically going to UHS (I once waited 3 hours in there). A diagnosis will help you assess how to help your body best rather than just taking generic action AND prescription medication from a doctor will help more than OTC meds.
I cannot emphasize this enough, especially if you believe that you might miss classes. Some professors can be pretty strict about missing classes and making up work; my tip there is to check the syllabus, reach out, and convey your situation wholeheartedly. Having a doctor’s note that you can attach at the bottom of an email makes the whole experience a lot easier.
Food is your bestie
It’s basic, but it’s tried and true; what you eat is going to have a major impact on getting better. It’s essential for bodily repair! Foods like chicken soup, applesauce, yogurt, and plain crackers are easily swallowed, not too hard on the stomach, and deliver the nutrients you need. It’s nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. I’m not a dietician, so definitely look into what your body needs as an individual, or consult your doctor.
AND UMass offers Get Well Meals, with easy to stomach foods that will help with recovery. If you are able to get a friend to pick it up and deliver it, all 4 dinings halls offer this service!
stay hydrated!
Staying hydrated is a basic piece of advice, but there’s a reason for that: it’s essential for recovery! Water should be your go-to, but as someone who had the most killer sore throat, it’s not always the easiest to swallow. Warm teas, especially with honey, can soothe the throat while hydrating the body.
Avoid drinking caffeine as much as you can, as it acts as a diuretic and we need to stay hydrated, not lose liquids!
Hopefully, you’re reading this as a precaution to get ahead of the cold and flu season, but if not, I hope you feel better soon. I also hope these tips and resources can help you out on the way to recovery. Remember: you WILL get through this!
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