With so much going on around us it's easy to forget the importance of taking time for ourselves. Often we have group meetings, projects, homework, and exams that fill our schedules and keep our stress levels high. Combine these factors with the close-quarter lifestyle of your average chapter house and you have a recipe for disaster. Flu season or not, it's still relatively easy to get sick when our bodies are worn down and our immune systems are weak. Fortunately, there are some easy things you can do to make sure you don't become the non-stop cougher that everyone hates.
1. Minimize the All-nighters.
When it's Sunday night and you have a paper due the next morning the dreaded all-nighter seems like a tempting option. And unless you're some sort of super-human then you've probably been there (and will probably be there again at some point). But getting your rest can be equally useful. Though no set amount works for everyone, scientists suggest at least 8 hours of sleep a night for adults. Also, try to stick to a routine. If you go to bed at 11 p.m. on Monday, then go to bed at the same time on Tuesday. Sleep is an integral part of the day that gives your body time to recharge. Without it, you'll find it gets harder and harder to focus. Go too long without it and your immune system will break down which can lead to a whole host of problems that you don't want to encounter.
2. Eat Right.
Very few things in this life are worse than hunger. It's those aches and pains in your stomach which are your body's friendly reminder that it's time to eat. When you do decide to chow down make sure that your diet contains plenty of fruits and vegetables. They contain phytochemicals which, according to the American Cancer Society, can act as antioxidants and can reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. Plus, when you eat better, you feel better. Nothing, and I mean nothing makes me feel worse about myself than two McDoubles, a large fry and a drink.
3. Hit the Gym.
Exercise can be one of the most powerful, and perhaps easiest, disease prevention weapons at your disposal. Kate Lovett, of Vanderbilt University, in an article on exercise and disease prevention, listed a weakened immune system as one of the six “overarching areas" that regular exercise helped to prevent. Run, bike, or even swim. Do whatever it takes to get the blood flowing for at least 30 min a day and your body will be better equipped to fight off illnesses that may come your way.
4. Drink Less/Drink More
You don't have to change how often you drink rather you just have to change how much you consume. Too much alcohol can actually suppress your immune system and can also dehydrate you. So when you start to feel sick the night after a banger, then you might have an empty bottle to blame. But on the flip side, you should also be working to increase your daily intake of water. And although it contains no nutritional value, it does help your body to flush out the toxins that build up daily.
