Eat a healthy diet

In college the phrase "healthy diet" usually consists of what we all would like to consider healthy-ramen (there's protein if it's "chicken flavor"-right?), hot pockets (vegetables and dairy, duh), and iced coffee (if I get it with raspberry syrup that's fruit, obviously). What many of us don't realize is that one of the reasons you could be getting sick so often is due to the foods we are putting into our body. Many health professionals advocate a healthy diet with Vitamin C and brightly colored vegetables and fruit.

Vitamin C has long been praised as the gold standard for not only getting over a cold but preventing it as well. In addition to aiding the immune system, it functions to help the body to rebuild tissues and collagen, so it's safe to say that Vitamin C is a must for the cold and flu season.

Brightly colored vegetables and fruit are not only tasty either! These guys pack a necessary chemical compound that our bodies convert to Vitamin A, which helps to keep our lungs and nose airways healthy to fight off or prevent infection.

Incorporating these dietary recommendations into your diet is easy and fun! Instead of sipping on that iced coffee in the morning, switch it up with some free squeezed OJ and green tea, if you need your caffeine fix. To get some of that good ole Vitamin A, spice your afternoon snack by trading an apple with a mango instead!

Read more about how to prevent a cold through your diet here.

Exercise

I know as soon as you read this, an inescapable groan was shuddered from your body. But before you click away, listen! You don't need to sign up for the next marathon or Ironman advertised-this tip is mainly advocating an active lifestyle. Just getting 20-30 minutes of physical activity a day-like walking, jogging, yoga, running to turn in that paper on time-can significantly decrease your risk of getting sick. But how you may ask? Well, according to researchers at the University of Appalachia in North Carolina, "bouts of exercise spark a temporary rise in immune system cells circulating around the body that can attack foreign invaders". This means that the simple walk to and from class is aiding your immune system and building up your body to fight infections that may come its way. So instead of taking the bus next time-walk-your body will thank you come mid-November.

To learn more about how exercise inhibits the common cold.

Sleep!

Listen up night owls! The "just one more episode", "gotta power through this paper", "I don't have time during the day" all night binges we have come to accept as a common college practice needs to stop. Not only is this detrimental to your overall health, but your daily health can be greatly impacted as well. Many doctors and health professionals agree that a good night's rest is necessary in order for your body to function at its optimal level. That means that when your body is working harder to prevent sickness and infection, your sleep becomes that much more pertinent. Scientific America reported that individuals who get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night are three times more likely to get the cold and flu more frequently. I know college is a stressful time and schedules are packed but if saving one more assignment until the next day prevents contracting the flu and being miserable for a week or more, it only makes sense to take care of yourself and get adequate rest. Your body will thank you!

Here's more about that Scientific America article regarding sleep and sickness.