With midterms finally behind us, we’ve been introduced to another stressful (and dangerous) situation: cold and flu season. A lot of us went through major stress during midterms, and stress weakens the immune system. So, you guessed it…if the guy behind you in Bio coughs in your direction or you accidentally touch the door handle going into lecture on the wrong day, you’re probably goin’ down. But hey, it happens to the best of us. Here’s how to cope if “the bug” causing mayhem all over campus sets its sights on you.
1. Stay Hydrated
Whether the bug you’ve been burdened with is a stomach virus or a common cold, you’re going to lose water. Replacing H2O when you’ve been sick to your stomach is vital for soothing your belly and keeping that gross post-puke headache at bay. If you have a cold, staying hydrated will help keep things in your sinuses…uh, moving. You’ve always been told that you need 8-10 glasses of water per day, and that’s when you’re feeling well–imagine how much you need when you’re sick! If you’re getting tired of water, you can always try a chilled Gatorade, ginger ale, or your favorite hot tea from Starbucks (courtesy of the “mom” in your friend group). No matter what kind of “sick” you are, staying hydrated will absolutely help you get on the road to feeling better.
2. Eat Something
Since I talked about staying hydrated, I figured I’d throw in staying well-fed. Even if you don’t have a stomach bug, your appetite can disappear when you get sick. If you’re feeling nauseous, popsicles can be a less “foody” way to give your body a little bit of sugar for energy to start getting better. If your sinuses are the problem, something minty like a peppermint candy might help you regain the use of your nose. All candy aside, you have to actually eat a little bit of something, whether it’s a few Ritz crackers or some chicken soup from the dining hall, graciously provided by someone who has the ability to function as a normal member of society at the moment (I say again: the “mom” of your friend group. She is ever-important, bless her). Without food, your already tired body is going to really start freaking out due to a lack of energy, so nibble on!
3. Wash Your Linens
I know that this step requires you to exit your little nest of blankets and tissues, but I have bad news for you: your nest of blankets and tissues, no matter how comfy, is gross. I’m not judging you–I’m all for a good blanket fortress when I’m sick. Strip your bed and wash everything with a little extra detergent for extra freshness. The same goes for your towels, washcloths, and handtowels. Towels love bacteria anyways, so they should be washed consistently when you’re sick. Since I’ve pulled you out of your blanket nest for at least an hour (maybe more if you’re trying to do laundry in a dorm), use this time to get a little bit of fresh air and simply enjoy a few minutes of being in an upright position for the first time in days. Once your bedding is fresh, you’ll likely feel a little less “ugh” and more comfy in your bed, which is vital for this next step.
4. Go The Heck To Sleep!
As with step one, you should be getting your shut-eye anyways. However, I’m well-aware that most of you reading this are in college, and, well, sleep doesn’t always happen when we want or need it to. That’s college for you, but sleep is extra vital when you’re sick. Your body uses your sleepy time to heal itself, which is why you’re overcome with the urge to just go home and take a nap the moment you start feeling bad. To avoid ruining your sleep/wake cycle, take 1-2 hour naps during the day and feel free to turn in for the night as early as 7 p.m. Let yourself sleep in a little in the mornings, but be sure to set an alarm for a reasonable time just in case you don’t wake up naturally. The last thing you need is to be wide awake and miserable at 4 a.m. because you slept until two in the afternoon–yikes. The trick is to find the perfect beauty sleep balance.
5. Visit The Health Center
If you’ve been sick for more than a few days, you can’t keep anything down, you feel like you have something more serious than a “bug,” or you just want the opinion of a professional, make an appointment at the Student Health Center on your campus. While a doctor there may not be able to give you the medicine to fix everything ASAP, they might have recommendations that could help your specific illness be a little more “doable” until it’s over or be able to prescribe you something to help you out greatly. If you are given a medication or a list of recommendations, please take/follow them religiously. My tips are great supplements to “doctor’s orders,” but they’re nothing close to the real thing. Don’t drive yourself to the Health Center (or anywhere, really) if you aren’t feeling alert enough to do so; have a friend drive you for safety’s sake.
Take care, collegiettes!