At the beginning of every school year, our classes are basically coughing and sneezing in unison. Sickness takes over campus when we’re about a month into school. I’ve fallen victim to this and I’ve avoided it in my three years here. Here are some tips on staying healthy and well during your time at Georgetown:
- Take Vitamin C Supplements. My parents always tell me to do this, but I do not always listen. Vitamin C supplements are critical as a proactive defense against illness as it builds up your immune system.
- Be cautious when sharing food and drinks. We love our friends but sometimes sharing such foods and drink can be an easy way to carry germs. Protect yourself and your friends by being cautious with this
- Wash hands frequently. Germs travel in a lot of ways we sometimes forget about door knobs, hard surfaces, remotes, etc.. You can encounter any number of these things on a daily basis so its important to wash your hands to avoid contact, especially after using the restroom and before eating.
- Drink plenty of fluids. This is generally a good rule of thumb.
- Sweat it out. This isn’t guaranteed to work, but it provides great temporary relief. Take hot showers, sleep under blankets and/or in thick clothing, go to the Yates Sauna.
- Wash your bed linens. Especially if you’ve been sick for a while, changing your bed linens is key so that you aren’t putting yourself back in an environment covered with the germs and illness you’re trying to get over.
- Check for culprits in your room. Sometimes the cause of your illness can be to any number of issues in your room such as dusty air conditioners or mold. Do a thorough inspection of your living space to see if you have any problematic indicators.
- Go to Student Health! If problems persist, the best thing for yourself and your peers is to go to the doctor.
- Rest! I know this seems like an antithesis to Georgetown, but finding making time to rest is crucial for a recovery of any type. It’s ok to miss a meeting or two for the sake of your wellness