Viruses like the common cold can last 7 to 10 days, meaning symptoms like a stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue听and a sore throat stick around for a while. Since antibiotics typically don鈥檛 work for viruses, it鈥檚 all about staying as healthy as possible. So how do we do it? Here are four tips for keeping healthy this spring.
Click image to enlarge.
1. Keep it clean
We need to wash our hands often鈥攊n the bathroom, before eating, after class, there鈥檚 no bad time! If warm water and soap aren鈥檛 available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Pick up a travel-sized bottle for your backpack (they鈥檙e free at the Health Promotion Resource Center in UMC 411).
2.听Support a high-functioning immune system
Our immune systems are impacted by everything we do, from what we eat to our stress levels. This means that eating regular balanced meals, hydrating with lots of water and sleeping 7-9 hours a night all help strengthen our bodies. When we鈥檙e well-rested, well-resourced and well-nourished, we鈥檙e more capable of fighting off an infection.
Make it a priority for the new semester: stick to a bedtime on school nights, carry around a refillable water bottle听and fill up on vitamin-dense fruits and vegetables. Finding time for light physical activity and sunshine is good for our health听too: take a walk with friends, toss around a Frisbee听and open the blinds!听听
3. Practice good health habits
When we look out for each other, we all stay healthier in the long run. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to wipe down communal surfaces like doorknobs and counters with disinfectant, cough and sneeze into our elbow or sleeve (but not hands, since hands touch everything)听and stay home when we鈥檙e not feeling well.
If you still find yourself under the weather, try these tips: drink warm liquids like tea to soothe a sore throat and stay hydrated, get extra rest to let your body recover听and use over-the-counter remedies as appropriate to find relief. Your body works hard to fight off these viruses and get you back into peak condition, so be kind to it!
In fact, treat it to some cold care supplies on us: cough drops, tissues, tea, honey sticks and gargling salt are all available free to CU Boulder students in the Health Promotion Resource Center (UMC 411).
4.听Remember those good health habits for all areas of life听
When our mental health is cared for, our physical health follows. It鈥檚 important to take time to relax, organize our thoughts, and find healthy ways to deal with everything we have going on.
Mindfulness practices like journaling, de-stressing activities like yoga听and coping mechanisms like talking with a trusted friend or family member can be just as important as washing our hands. Prioritizing self-care mentally and physically is key to a healthy, balanced semester. We can do this, Buffs!
The Healthy Buffs series is brought to you by Wardenburg Health Services. Visit us online at 听听