Matt Dekonty
Student Writer
With the winter season fast approaching, many students may begin to experience cold or flu symptoms that make it more difficult to function, especially as we enter the very busy finals season. We reached out to Michelle Lucas at the Engle Center for advice on what you can do to stay healthy this winter.
If you’re trying to avoid the cold/flu:
Good Handwashing. While this may seem obvious enough, making sure to thoroughly wash your hands (at least 20 seconds!) with soap and water is a great way to cleanse any germs picked up throughout your day.
Sleep at least 8 hours a night. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is no simple task – especially with finals on the horizon – but ensuring a healthy amount of sleep can help combat the symptoms.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The easier these germs can spread, the harder it becomes to deal with the symptoms.
If you’re already sick:
Rest and Good Nutrition. While comfort foods may seem more tempting than ever at our lowest points, it’s critical to maintain a healthy diet as opposed to indulging in junk food.
Fluids. Dehydration is a major part of overall health, so drinking healthy amounts of water and vitamin-rich beverages can help knock out the symptoms with ease.
Avoid socialization. If you’re already experiencing symptoms, there’s no better suggestion than to simply keep away from others to avoid getting them sick as well – even if that means missing a class or two.
See a medical provider. If it’s been more than a week or two, or your symptoms are legitimately becoming a detriment to your ability to function, then it may be time to ditch the standard over the counter medication and see an actual doctor.
