No one likes being sick, but being sick on top of attending school is the worst. It is so easy as a college student to test the limits of our immune systems. Between pulling all-nighters and going out when we really should stay in, sickness doesn’t wait. The amount of times I have said that I don’t have time to be sick is way too many to count. Even though we are in college attendance still counts and if it doesn’t I’m sure there is a quiz or homework assignment you will be sure to miss points on. So the question is, how do we avoid this dilemma?
Staying healthy is something I personally have always struggled with, and its only gotten worse since I got to college. I am not sure why but my asthma came back in college and I feel like I get sick at least once every three months. If you are like me this can be a struggle when it comes to keeping up with academics. Whenever I feel like I am about to get sick with something that needs to get treated with antibiotics I take advantage of student health services and get in right away. Why wait until sickness has affected you for two weeks, I know it's easy to do. Another thing that I try to do is get ahead on my academics and plan out my week. This helps when you are sick because it makes it easier to not feel guilty taking time to rest. I know college is constantly busy, but when your body needs rest give it what it wants. I have also learned to save my skips in class for when it is actually crucial. If you get sick easily there is no room to just skip because you don’t feel like going.
Another aspect that I struggle with due to constant illness is staying physically healthy. How is this possible when my body is always tired and is requiring extra sleep? There is a fine line between working the sickness out and wearing your body down even more. This is something that I have learned through my years at school. Sometimes it helps to sweat the toxins out, but then sometimes it breaks your body down even more. I think a good rule of thumb is if you feel yourself getting worn down it is okay to take active rest days. I learned this from one of my roommates. It is okay not to go hard at the gym every day, but if you are feeling that need to work out, go take a walk or a bike ride. That way you are still being active while not pushing your body to its breaking point. Mentally this can be hard as well when you are constantly being put on hold due to illness. I get in these modes where I am super good about making it to the gym everyday and then I get sick and I am automatically set back. All I can say is yes it is a struggle, but fitness is worth it. Not only does it help your physical health it also helps mentally balance everything that is going on.
Overall constant sickness can be really hard. I know that I definitely get down from always having my body give out on me, but I try to stay positive and work through it. From this weakness I try to be more conscious of washing my hands and avoiding germy places. Boosting your immune system with vitamins and sleep can also help a ton. Avoiding constant stress is another big aspect of staying healthy. I understand that life can be stressful, but it is really important to take care of yourself as well. I really struggle with this part and is one of my biggest downfalls. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be the answer. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and taking time for yourself is extremely important. Getting sick can suck, but preparing for avoiding the next episode helps.
