What does the winter bring along with its cold weather? Coughs, sneezes, and the infamous runny nose. One thing that’s worse than being sick is being under the weather while studying for and taking finals in an effort to put the semester to bed. Stocked up on tissues and chicken noodle soup? If the tips below on how to not catch a cold this winter are followed, hopefully there will not be a need for those items.

1. Wash those hands! Constantly coming in contact with people, whether they are sick or healthy, is a dirty business. An individual’s hands are involved in majority, if not all, aspects of daily activities—opening doors, shaking hands, touching one’s face, and eating. Stock up on hand soap and sanitizer and make use of them this winter season.

2. Dress appropriately. Some people enjoy and have the capacity to wear shorts during the dead of winter and not fall ill. Some individuals will develop symptoms of a cold simply by having a head of wet hair while walking outside. “I had a friend that would [wear shorts] when it was practically snowing, and he wouldn’t get sick. When my little brother copied him, the next day he caught a cold,” stated Megan Silver, freshman student. It is important to dress accordingly to the weather forecast. Silver continued, “I make it a point to always have a jacket on starting in November because you never know when the [temperature] is going to drop [throughout] the day.” Take that extra step in the morning and grab that scarf, hat, and gloves.

3. Sleep. Attending college helps students appreciate sleep more, and naps are not unheard of in the collegiate realm. With naps aside, college students are known to not get the amount of sleep they need each night; the recommended amount of hours is 7-8 per night. When the body is deprived of rest, the immune system will start to head into a downward spiral and the body must work overtime to keep going. The immune system will be preoccupied, resulting in the individual being more susceptible to illness. Instead of going to a late-night hangout, consider staying in and going to bed at a respectable time.
4. Work out. Studies have shown that by staying active during the winter months improves a person’s immune system. “When I started to work out, I noticed that I wasn’t getting sick as much, and that was another benefit of going to the gym,” noted Robert Till, a junior education major. To stay healthy and keep the immune system in check, go to a fitness center or take the stairs next time as opposed to using the elevator.

5. Limit the stress. It seems as though midterms just happened, and professors are already gearing up for finals. On top of that, students who reside on campus have the added task of preparing to go home for the winter break. Pressure can play the behind-the-scenes bad guy for the immune system. When an individual is under too much stress, the reaction to fight bacteria entering the immune system becomes delayed; thus, becoming ill is a greater possibility.

A great number of people enjoy spending the day in their pajamas and staying in bed every once in a while, but it’s not an enjoyable experience when a sickness is factored in. With a degree of certainty, each person has experienced some form of illness during their lifetime, and it is not a walk in the park. Take the extra precautions listed above, focus on finals and wrapping the semester up, and stay healthy!