At college, it’s almost guaranteed that at some point during the winter, you’ll come down with something, whether it is the flu or just a cold. From living in dorms on campus and spending the majority of your time in close proximity to other people in classrooms, the library, etc., it’s hard to avoid the germs. But by taking just a few preventative measures, you can protect yourself and hopefully avoid getting sick sick on campus this season!
Okay, it may be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t actually wash their hands enough. I don’t just mean washing them after you use the bathroom (because if you’re not already doing this, we have a bigger problem…), you should be washing your hands after you blow your nose, after a coughing fit, even after sitting in a public place with other people. Do you know how many other hands have been on that desk you’ve been touching for the last hour? I’ll tell you – a lot. Basically you should be washing your hands any chance you get. While this constant sanitizing can cause some rather dry skin – make sure to have lotion on hand to bring back some moisture.
Again, this should be common sense, but I can’t stress enough how much of a role that a balanced diet plays in to your overall health. By getting the nutrients you need through your meals, you are amping up your body’s immune system, allowing it to naturally fight off germs and bacteria. Of course, eating a balanced diet won’t ensure that you don’t get sick on campus, but it certainly can lower your chances!
This goes hand-in-hand with eating a balanced diet. Keeping your body strong and healthy is essential to fending off sickness. This doesn’t mean that in order to avoid getting sick you need to become a fitness buff- this simply means you should try and get your heart rate up at least 3 times a week. This can be something as simple as taking a nice, long walk on campus, taking a fun Zumba class at the gym, or maybe just playing some basketball with friends. Whatever your exercise of choice, just try and do something active and give your body that little extra oomph of energy to help fight off any bug that may be lurking the corridors.
Sleep is another important factor in fighting off infections. If you don’t sleep well at night, it leaves your body weak, making it hard for the body to defend itself against germs. If you are having problems sleeping, there are plenty of natural sleep aids that can help you get the full 8 hours you need. My dad swears by Melatonin! So whether you’re the type of person that can zonk out as soon as you hit the pillow, or if you need a little herbal remedy to help put your brain to rest – the point is; you need to sleep!
There are tons of natural remedies you can take to help boost your immune system and stay ahead of the flu season. If you’re feeling particularly stressed (so if you are a college student), this is a great option for you. Stress can lower your immune system and hinder its ability to fight off infection. Whenever things start to feel a little overwhelming at school, it’s a good idea to take some of these immune boosters to replenish any dips in your body’s system.
*This post is sponsored. All opinions are my own.
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