Whether you are a high school student or college student, an on-campus resident or living off-campus…when there is something going around, everyone is susceptible. Don’t put your health on the back-burner.
As every student knows, sickness spreads like wildfire around a school campus. In a place where sleep is infrequent and drinks are traded without reservation, illnesses, infections, and even diseases can frequently pop up.
Last year, I witnessed and experienced almost every illness that emerged on my campus. Because I lived in one of the largest and most social dorms at Santa Clara University, I was confronted with some of the nastiest illnesses a person can contract. For example, in my dorm (and probably all over the school) there were pink eye outbreaks, waves of laryngitis, and even two cases of the rare and extremely dangerous bacterial meningitis.
Luckily, I avoided all of these particular ailments. I did, however, come down with a good share of minor colds and common illnesses.
In the fall, after a few too many consecutive late nights and early mornings, I came down with a bad cold. One early trip to the health center and a week of 7AM cross-country practices later, the cold worsened and turned into bronchitis. It lasted for about a month because I never gave myself the proper rest in order to recover. Although one would assume my body would build up immunity to bronchial infections, I somehow was equally as susceptible to it, and came down with a far worse case of bronchitis mid-Spring. This time, the chest cold not only included a hacking cough, debilitating fatigue and endless handfuls of cough drops, but also precipitated a fainting spell in one of my classes. After that episode, I began to reevaluate my hygienic practices.
Looking back on all of my health problems freshman year, there were many things in my control that I could have done differently. This year, I have employed these 11 tactics to maintain my good health, and make it through sophomore year without any hiccups (literally).
1. The obvious, universally over-used, number one most important tip….Wash your hands.
Just wash them. When you wake up, before you eat, after class, before bed, etc. Washing your hands frequently will drastically reduce your risk of contracting an illness. Because most viruses are transmitted through touch, keeping both your hands clean and your home clean are extremely important for staying healthy.
2. Don’t share drinks.
If someone passes you a bottle that has been traveling around a crowd, do not put your mouth on it. This should be fairly obvious. The same applies to foods, utensils, and honestly, people. Check if whatever you are eating/whomever you are kissing is clean and uninfected with illness. (Mono is called the kissing disease for a reason! Watch out!) Unless you are actively trying to get yourself sick, use your own glass, or just keep your mouth to yourself.
3. Set a bedtime.
Do not sacrifice your sleep for some event, some person, or some party. If you are out late, remember that sleep is still a priority. Make sure to know your bodies’ limits and avoid pushing too far past them.
4. Let yourself sleep in.
There are some days when you wake up and know your body needs to rest. Listen to it! Let yourself sleep, read, relax, whatever it takes to get healthy. (Of course, if you wake up with a cold on the day of something important, I would recommend ignoring this piece of advice and trying to power through.)
5. Hydrate.
Drink water (from your OWN bottle). Staying hydrated is key.
6. Watch what you touch.
People, places, pillows, doorknobs, water bottles, and other surfaces can inhabit germs. Be careful.
7. Eat the right foods.
Skip sugary foods. These can lead to inflammation that can weaken your body's infection-fighting white blood cells. Instead, go for foods high in protein, like eggs. Protein can boost the immune system.
8. Wear appropriate clothes.
My grandmother would always say to me, “Don’t go outside or you’ll catch pneumonia.” Well, I would say you can go outside, just bring a jacket with you.
9. Skip the coffee.
Coffee can worsen a sore throat and headache and also dehydrate you. Instead of ordering your usual double-shot cappuccino, go for a cup of chamomile or ginger tea instead.
10. Vitamin C.
Besides preventing scurvy, Vitamin C can greatly benefit your body. Foods such as oranges, leafy greens, broccoli, and berries all contain Vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant can help your body fight colds and keep you healthy.
11. Workout.
Sweating releases toxins from the body, and improves your sleep cycle. Additionally, exercising regularly and staying fit was found to improve your immune system.
