Fight off the Flu and Stay Healthy This Fall by Following These Tips

Elon’s autumn season is nothing short of spectacular. Bright colored leaves dust the brick paths, students break out their best fall clothing and pumpkin spice lattes return to Oak House.

Despite the numerous benefits that come with fall, the flu and several other illnesses are also part of this season. College students are especially susceptible to getting sick, since they live in such close quarters. Sharing bathroom faucets, dorm doorknobs, and drinks spread germs and increases student’s risks of getting sick. 

According to The Washington Post, stress is another factor that causes students to feel under the weather. Stress does a number on the immune system, and lack of sleep combined with poor diet only contributes to this problem.

Instead of living in the health center for the second half of this semester, follow these tips so you can finish strong and stay healthy.

The best ways to avoid getting sick are to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly, according to the HuffPost. Doing so is certainly easier said than done, but it makes a real impact on an individual’s overall health. 

Eating right can help boost one’s immune system and getting a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise a day can help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. Sleep is somewhat of a cure-all when it comes to college life, so getting between seven and nine hours of sleep a night is important. Taking naps during the day is another way students can stay well-rested and healthy. 

Getting the flu shot also increases student’s chances of staying healthy this fall. University Physician and Medical Director of Student Health at Elon, Dr. Ginette Archinal, absolutely recommends that all students should get the flu shot. 

“Flu shots are not perfect and they don’t prevent everybody from getting the flu,” Archinal says. “But if you get the flu having had a flu shot, you get a less-severe illness. And I think what students often don’t remember is that major flu season is J term and if you get the flu, you’re going to be out for five days, so you may as well take medical withdraw. But if you get the flu shot and get the flu, you may only be out for a day or two.”

Protect yourself this fall by following these tips!