There’s never a good time to get sick in college. Missing one class feels like missing a week’s worth of high school. Plus, the lines at the health center in the winter are worse than waiting for Harry Potter on opening night. If you’re like me, you tremble at the sound of sneezing anywhere within a fifty foot radius. But don’t worry, there are things you can do, according to the professionals at WebMD, to make sure influenza stays away… far away.
First and foremost, carry hand sanitizer. Travel sized sanitizers are available at nearly every drug or grocery store. Bath & Body Works also carries scented sanitizers for every season and occasion (from Vampire Blood to PB&J). Use it often—especially since you won’t have time to run and wash your hands every time you touch something with germs (a.k.a. the university bus).
You may also want to invest in a large, re-usable water bottle. Drinking the recommended amount of water will not only keep you hydrated, but it will flush any and all poisons out of your system. By carrying around a water bottle you’ll never have to worry about buying plastic ones between classes. Not only is it healthy, but it’s a money saver.
While taking a daily multi-vitamin is recommended for good health, they aren’t a quick fix in the fight against colds. Neither is Airborne or Emergen-C or any other over the counter pill advertised to keep you healthy. What your body needs are phytochemicals that contain natural chemicals that will give vitamin supplements and the vitamins you consume in foods a “supercharged boost”. So, instead of reaching for supplements, eat some dark green, red or yellow fruits and veggies! Studies also show that eating a cup of non-fat yogurt daily will reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25%.
Of course, one of the biggest ways to help your body fight off sickness is to relax. This means getting a reasonable amount of sleep every night and doing things that will calm your brain. Try doing yoga or going for a walk outside. This way, you’re staying healthy in more ways than one.
In the event that you do get sick, it’s not your fault! Sometimes all the prevention in the world can’t help you escape the one little germ that wiggled its way onto your hand. There are plenty of natural remedies that will help you get healthy in no time. It’s important to be pro-active in preventing and dealing with sicknesses, otherwise they may lead to even more skipped classes and sick days. College can be stressful enough as it is!
