The first snow has fallen on the ground, it is 24 degrees outside, finals are halfway done….and my immune system has crashed. We are a week way from Christmas break, and I’ve spent the whole day lying on the couch, watching Netflix and trying not to cough up a lung. I mean, how unfortunate is that?
As the semester goes by, people tend to get caught up in everything going on around them. It is hard to take the time to focus on yourself when you have 12 articles to read, 3 papers to write, 4 more cups of coffee to drink, and somehow still try to get enough sleep to survive. And yet, our bodies seem to know that we have to keep pushing and fighting. That is until break rolls around. As soon as break comes close, it is as if our bodies can sense it, and all adrenaline or naturally produces chemicals that keep you awake and help you function cease to work and you find yourself coughing and hacking and pray to God you’ll be able to make it those next few days to break.
Well I am no doctor, and I have no magic pills. But I will share with you a few of the trick I’ve learned over the years that seem to help me feel better anytime I am feeling rather poorly. Firstly, do not be afraid to go to the doctor. As a college student, we do not always have health care, or on campus alternatives to doctor’s offices. However, it is better to go, find out what is wrong, and fix it up rather than wait even longer and feel miserable. Hopefully they will tell you it is something treatable with antibiotics or something, and you will be feeling right as rain in a matter of days. However, until the meds start kicking in, there are a few more things that can be done. Warm tea is good for soothing the throat and helping flush any toxins from the body. Adding small (or large if you don’t mind the flavor) of lemon, ginger, honey, and apple cider vinegar can have added health benefits like boosting the immune system, fighting infection, soothing the soreness, etc. As much water as you can drink is helpful as well, but be sure to stay away from super sugary drinks since bacteria tends to thrive on sugar. Soups are also wonderful, not just because they taste good, but the heat, and spices and liquid will add to the other health tricks going on. Lots of sleep, and rest in between areas of high activity are the best ways to let the body heal itself. The human body is capable of extraordinary things if we take care of it and let it works its magic.
If you are feeling crummy, ill, or like death is on your doorstep during finals, just remember that you are not alone. There are tons of other students facing the same struggle as you. Keep your eye on the prize: Christmas Break. You will be healthy at home singing carols and drinking eggnog with your family in no time.
