I don’t like to brag, but I have a pretty solid immune system – or I did before moving to college. I actually knew a guy who claimed to have never been bed ridden by illness in his life... before university. It’s inevitable that even the strongest of our immune systems will be in shock when moving to a new place. The altitude change, the weather difference, and living in such close proximity with so many other humans is the perfect breeding ground for getting you sick, therefore you become behind and stressed out. So, here are some precautions you can take to avoid getting caught in what seems to be a petri dish of disease.
1. Wash your hands
I know this sounds so utterly basic, but this is the biggest healthcare advance ever so take it seriously. Wash them before you eat and wash them as soon as you get home.
2. Drink water
Again we have to cover our bases. If you're serious about not getting sick, get serious about your 8 glasses...
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3. Get Sleep
... AND your 8 hours! Not enough sleep can seriously shoot your immune system. This study even shows that one less hour than the recommmended time for each age group can make you four times more likely to catch something.
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4. Don't share (especially on Saturday nights)
Don't eat or drink after anyone else - it's that simple. Use cups and make sure they are unused or clean.
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5. EmergenC
Once a day keeps the doctor away. (Not a scientific fact, but there’s for sure a correlation)
6. Saline Solution
This is a great for if you get a lot of sinus infections or stuffy noses. Use saline solution once a day (maybe twice if you feel some kinda way), BEFORE the temperature changes and you can avoid a lot of unpleasant nasal irritation. These come in neti pots, rinses, and more, but my personal favorite is the arm and hammer nasal spray. I have a pretty sensitive nasal cavity and I swear by it!
7. Dress weather appropriate
This is not about slut shaming, but “a person can develop a cold” has some truth to it. The cold itself does not make you sick, but it can where down down your immune system. So be careful!
8. Personal hygiene
Brush your teeth at least twice a day and make the time to shower. I know this one shouldn’t have to be said, but you would be surprised.
9. Clean Environment
Make sure your room isn’t dusty and take care of any mold. I know, you're in college and your priorities are go school, activities, social life, literally everything other than clean room and personal health (this is why room check are necessary) - but your body has other priorities and will punish you for neglecting it's needs. It's especially important to disinfect your living space regularly if you sense germs lingering or on their way.
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10. Quarantine
Like from a friends's room for example - speaking of, they should be staying behind the red tape. But honestly, if your roomies or close friends are sick, set them up with some soup, lysol, and Netflix and ask them to respectfully text you if they need anything. If they insist on using shared living space, quarantine yourself and yield the power of spray disinfectant.
11. And if the sickness creeps in...
GO TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Non-prescription will most likely only cure your symptoms and not take care of your actual sickness. This is not something to procrastinate on. Call your school clinic ASAP, set up an appointment with a local doctor, or go check yourself into an UrgentCare, or an emergency room - strike hard, get out fast.
