Rest

• Don’t skimp on sleep!
• Be sure to get about 7 – 9 hours a night whenever you can.
• Too little sleep can make you feel stressed and depressed, you may have trouble concentrating on papers and tests, and you may have a hard time staying awake in class.
• You may also be more likely to catch colds and other minor illnesses. Your body can’t fight off germs as well when you are tired and run-down.

Eat Well

• Eat fruits and vegetables every day (your goal should be 5 a day).
• Eat lean meats, fish and poultry.
• Eat foods high in calcium and low in fat.
• Limit junk food or foods with a lot of fat, sugar and salt.
• Limit sugary drinks like soda, sweetened tea or coffee, and sports drinks. Switch to plenty of water!

Exercise

• These 3 types of exercise are a way to maintain a stronger immune system:
• Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and lungs. These are activities like biking, running, fast walking, swimming, dancing, and rowing.
• Strengthening exercise tones and builds muscles and bone mass. You can do this by doing sit-ups, push-ups, and leg lifts, or by working out with weights or resistance bands.
• Stretching exercise, like yoga, improves flexibility or range of motion.
• Join an intramural sport or fitness class. Check out the campus gym.

Pro Tip: Don’t have time to work out? Try to sneak exercise into your day. Walk or bike to class rather than drive. Do a set of Monster Kicks down the hallway on the way to your classroom. Do some stretching exercises between subjects while studying.

Handwashing

We use our hands far more than we realize throughout the day, coming in contact with millions of germs. To prevent colds and infections, it’s crucial to wash your hands thoroughly for 30 seconds with soap and water. Do this before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after coughing – sneezing – wiping your nose, after contact with those who are sick, and after touching animals, waste / litter or money.