Happy and Healthy

Staying Healthy.

The space you live and potentially study in is really important for your health and your academics. During my first semester of Freshman year, I got mono. At the time I was the only person on campus to have it and was very confused. I also got throat infections and colds regularly. Moving my bed away from my roommate's was a good start but what I really needed was a more hygienic space. Now I Swiffer, change my sheets, and disinfect at least once a week. Communal dorm bathrooms are pretty gross, especially on weekends when the cleaning staff is off duty. Shower shoes are a must to prevent athlete's foot.
- Drink as much water as possible. If you get sick (which is inevitable at college) your body needs to stay hydrated to flush out any toxins, regulate your temperature, increase your energy...etc. This means drinking WATER, not soda or coffee which will actually de-hydrate you (and ruin your teeth and digestive system). Many girls keep a tumbler or water bottle on them at all times.
-CLEAN YOUR ROOM. Do your laundry regularly, take out your trash and make sure no stray food is left around. My roommate was particularly bad about this and I would find mold over old tea. I had no idea that iced tea could grow mold in our room, but it definitely can. Changing your pillow cases regularly also greatly reduces acne.
-Go to the health center. If you think you are sick you should get checked out. It's only $50 to do so by appointment. I was so sick but assured myself I would get over it. The day I couldn't walk was the day someone dragged me over only to get diagnosed with acute mono. Either way, they have free painkillers and cold medicine and obviously, condoms. Also, if you get sick that means the people in your living space are at risk. Everyone is trying to do well at school so please be considerate. Get a flu shot, they offer them on campus!
-GET SOME SLEEP. When you're asleep your body repairs itself. Not sleeping is a great way to get sick and lower your concentration. If you need to take naps, find a time not near a class to do so.
-Do not share drinks. At parties, people might reuse a cup for beer-pong or share with a friend. This is obviously a great way to get sick. The same goes for sharing a cigarette, a joint, smoking a bowl, etc. Be careful. If you know someone is sick, avoid the germ swap.
-Clean off your phone. The majority of cell phones have traces of fecal matter because of poop texting. Additionally, many suffer from phone induced acne on the sides of their faces (I have it). Disinfect your phone regularly. Wash your hands, obviously.
- Wash your dishes. Do not tell yourself I'll do it tomorrow. Eventually you'll have to resort to re-using dirty dishes because you cannot expect your roommate to pick up the slack.
If you want to learn more, this is a good start.