As the weather cools down and the stress of impending finals intensifies, prime cold season is approaching. The chilly weather and increased stress can take a real toll on your immune system. The timing is pretty horrible, too – the last thing you want is to finish out the semester feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to boost your immune system and ward off those nasty viruses:
1.) Eat healthy. When you’re busy cramming for exams, it can be tempting to subsist on library snacks and late night junk food binges, but this is only going to make you feel sluggish and weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections. No matter how busy you are, it’s important to eat three balanced meals a day. Make sure you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, as they are high in antioxidants that are crucial for fighting disease.
2.) Get enough sleep. Again, this is something that often falls by the wayside during exam week, but it’s important that you get a solid amount of sleep every night. Ideally, you should be getting around 7-8 hours a night, although the necessary amount is different for everyone. Lack of sleep has been proved to be the primary cause for many physical and emotional problems, including weakened immune system, stress issues and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Plus, not getting enough sleep can lead to a lower GPA and decreased academic performance – so a few extra hours of sleep could actually be more beneficial to your grades than an all-nighter, as well as being way better for your health.
3.) Exercise. Regular exercise has been shown to boost the immune system and make you feel more energetic, relaxed and cheerful. You don’t have to run a marathon or anything, but taking a half-hour break to go for a jog, hit the gym or take a fun fitness class will have you feeling healthier and happier in no time. However, it is also important to know when your body needs a rest. If you’re already feeling sick, don’t be afraid to take a couple days off from your workout routine. Pushing your body to the limit will only make you feel worse, so wait until you’re sure you’re feeling up to it before you start exercising again.
4.) Know when to take it easy. With only a few weekends left before winter break, you may be worried about FOMO striking if your cold forces you to stay in on a Friday night. But if you don’t feel up to a big night out, don’t do it! Sometimes the best cure is a night in with some chicken noodle soup and a good movie. Similarly, even if you feel like you have too much work to take even one night off from studying, remember that your health comes first. One night away from the books isn’t going to kill your GPA, plus taking a break will make you feel more rested so you can study the next day.Â
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