College Colds and Other Bugs

February 6th, 2008

Kermit the Frog used to say, “It’s not easy being green,” but at college it’s not easy staying in the pink of health!

Living miles away from home can spur some students into adopting unhealthy lifestyles; sleeping becomes an option, the food pyramid becomes a polite suggestion, and instead of taking time to relax students are either partying or holed up in the library completing another 10-page term paper.

If you’re interested in staying healthy — and how could you not be? — you’ll have to take the steps to get there. That’s why we’ve compiled three basic tips for creating a healthy environment in college:

Get some shut-eye. While seven to eight hours is the recommended amount of sleep for a college student, you may find that your body requires more or less. The key is to find out how much sleep you really need and devise a schedule that’ll allow for it on a consistent basis. Try getting to sleep and waking up at the same time — whether it’s the weekend or weekday.

Eat right. A pizza or burger may be a go-to meal but that doesn’t make it a good hunger solution. Try prepping healthy meals in advance and bring brain-boosting snacks, like fruits or nuts, to lecture.

Learn to relax. While assignments will always be there and party invites will never stop coming, it’s a good idea to step away from the typical college experience for some rest and relaxation of your own. Take a long walk or join a sports club — you’ll both reduce your stress and increase your energy level.

For more info on staying healthy in college, check out the CollegeBound Network’s tips for fending and winning against college bugs.

– Genevieve M. Blaber

Entry Filed under: College Dorms, General, Health