Going into the 4th week of the school year students are starting to settle in and get back into the swing of things again. We no longer need to look at our schedules to see which class is next. We already have gotten the hang of getting homework in on time. We know when the best time to go to the library is and when to go to the gym or yoga. If anything, college teaches you time management at its finest.Unfortunately one thing it doesn't teach you is how to stay healthy and not get sick.
As college students we throw ourselves through our lives full force. We rarely have time to stop and think. To take this even further we don't even have time to watch a full 45 minute episode of "New Girl." Always on the go from class, to lunch, to the library and to the gym, the last thing we have time for is being sick.
As the 4th week progresses we turn into living breathing zombies who want nothing more than to lay in bed and sleep all day. Is it only me or is everybody sick right now? With the symptoms of congestion, runny nose, sore throat, coughing and sneezing I couldn't tell you what I have. All I would tell you is that I have the UNH plague.
Here are 9 tips and tricks that may help you defeat the UNH Plague or any University plague for that matter:
1. Take a shower
Not only do you feel like you washed all of the disgusting bacteria off of you it will help you feel better too. A hot shower will reduce inflammation in your nose and thin out the mucus in your nose. Your nose is always all cleared up after a hot relaxing shower.
2. Drink water like you're a gold medal Olympian.
Drink water, drink water, DRINK WATER. Staying hydrated is always key when you're sick. Drinking fluids also decreases inflammation in your nasal passages as well as decreasing pressure in your sinuses. Ok maybe just drink water like you wish you were a gold metal olympian.
3. Wash your hands.
*MOST IMPORTANT TIP*
Enough with the quick rinse and then run to class. Lets go back to the basics. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 2 ABC's (told you we were going back to the basics.) Make sure the water is warm because the warm water kills the bacteria on the oils of your hands.
4. Sleep on your side.
I actually learned this in yoga. Sleep or even just lay down on the opposite side of whichever nostril is more stuffed up (lay on right side if your left nostril is more stuffed up and vis versa.) Within 5 minutes your mucus in your nose will drain and you will feel like a whole new person.
5. Gargle with salt water. (gross)
Gargling with salt water has proven to reduce swelling in your throat as well as thin out mucus. Also warm tea and soup with help sooth your sore throat.
6. Use a warm compress.
Run hot water over a washcloth and wring it out. Next put it over your nose and forehead. Just like a shower, the heat and steam will start opening your nasal passages and start to thin out mucus. Repeat as necessary.
7. Use Decongestants
It does get a little tiring popping 6 over the counter decongestant pills a day but in the end it does help a lot. Sometimes even one dose of decongestants is all you need to feel like yourself again. Make sure to read the label to make sure you're getting the right medicine for your symptoms.
8. TREAT YO'SELF
We are college students living on campus getting a great education. Thats all the reason you need to treat yo'self to something nice. But being sick gives you all the more reason to treat yo'self to something nice and enjoyable. Let's be completely honest, nothing makes you feel better than an iced coffee from dunks or a new UNH T-shirt.
