Sick of Getting Sick? 5 Tips to Stay Healthy

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            As the semester settles in and midterms loom ominously around the corner, 37,430 students bustle around our CSULB campus. If just one sick student decides to attend class, all of the individuals that this student comes in contact with in a day are now at risk to get this sickness as well. Although it’s impossible to avoid sick people and catching a cold, here are definitely some tips that can help keep these episodes to a minimum.

Tip 1: Hand hygiene
            Simple enough, right? On average, Americans come in contact with 300 surfaces every 30 minutes 1. If just one sick person came in contact with any of those surfaces before you, transmission of illness is possible. A proper hand washing should take about 20 seconds (about 2 repetitions of the “Happy Birthday” song) with care to reach commonly missed areas such as the back of hands and the nails. No sink readily available? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer!

Tip 2: Get some sleep
            When your body is unable to get the rest that it needs, your immune system is weakened and left vulnerable to illnesses that it would otherwise be able to fight off. Prioritize sleep and make a predictable routine to maximize your wellness. Midterm stress keeping you from getting the sleep you need? Check out our Stress Less workshops! Call us at (562)985-4609 to make an appointment and for more information.

Tip 3: Get your annual flu shot
            The quick pinch of a flu shot now can aid your body in the prevention of a bad flu later on. Make an appointment at Student Health Services to get a flu shot for $5. They can be reached by phone at (562) 985-4771. We also offer free flu shot clinics during the fall semester.

Tip 4: Drink more water
            Keep getting random headaches? Feeling constantly tired? You might be part of the 75% of Americans that are chronically dehydrated2! Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times to encourage increased water intake. Don’t like water? Try herbal tea or add fruit to your water

Tip 5: Update your Diet
            Eating more fruits and vegetables provides minerals and vitamins your body needs to function properly. Try getting 5 servings a day. Low protein intake can lead to depletion of your immune systems. Adding protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, and Greek yogurt to your diet can strengthen your body’s defenses and keep sickness away. Need help meeting your nutrition goals? Make an appointment with one of our Peer Nutrition Counselors! Call us for more information at (562)985-4609.

By Clara Chang


1"New Hand Washing Survey Reveals Some Gross Statistics." Industrial Degreasers, Chemical Blending, Bulk Cleaning Solutions, & More. National Purity, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.

2”6 Dehydration Facts That May Surprise You.” (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2017, from https://dripdrop.com/6-dehydration-facts-may-surprise/

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