I was sitting in my history class one fine Tuesday morning, when all around me I heard, “ACHOO”,
“SNIFFLE”,
“COUGH”
How do I avoid getting sick when I’m surrounded by sick people for two hours?! Here are some of the things I do to stay healthy.
1. Eat a Varied Healthy Diet
Everyone has heard from their doctor, mom, friend, ex-boyfriend, etc. that eating a healthy diet will help you stay healthy. When your mom told you to eat your vegetables as a kid (and now tbh), she had a point! Eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis will help keep you strong and healthy. Which ones you ask? Remember, the darker the fruit or vegetable, the better it is for you. For example, spinach has a high amount of vitamin e, which can help boost your immune system, and blueberries have a high amount of manganese which helps maintain bone strength. The more varied your diet is the more vitamins you are getting!
2. Get outside!
The sun on your face, the wind in your hair, what’s not to love about being outside? Studies show that going outside helps you concentrate more and boost creativity. Take a break from studying and go for a walk (walking to Chipotle definitely counts!), even if it’s just for a few minutes you will feel calmer and ready to push on! Your body gets vitamin D from the sun, vitamin D reduces your likelihood of getting the flu and is known to help people with depression.
3. Having a Positive Attitude
Some people say that laughter is the best medicine, they have a point! Studies show that people with a positive attitude are more likely to live longer and exercise more, meaning that they are less likely to catch the flu than a person with a negative attitude. If you have noticed that you always seem down and can’t be motivated to do the way you used to, reach out to a friend, a doctor, or someone you trust to get some answers and help if you need it.
4. Get Enough ZZZZ’S
Getting a decent night’s sleep can be hard when you have a lot going on, but if you get enough sleep you will feel soooo much better than getting hardly any sleep, but you already knew that didn’t you! Studies have shown that if you averaged less than seven hours a night you are three times more likely to get a cold! Muscle growth and tissue repair happen when we sleep, so if you aren’t getting enough sleep it will take longer for you to heal.
5. Exercise
I know everyone has told you how important daily exercise is for your health. Well, they’re right. It can be hard to make yourself exercise, but it could help you not catch your seasonal cold. When you exercise regularly the components of your immune system circulate better, this means that your immune system is stronger and functioning better, helping you fight off illness.