Wake up, go to class, eat, head to work, have a social life, do homework, sleep and repeat. College students are busy and with flu season starting, getting sick does not fit into their schedule.
Although getting sick isn’t completely unavoidable there are many ways to help prevent it. Flu shots are offered many places throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area. Conveniently for MSUM students, flu shots will even be offered on campus. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 in the Center for the Arts gallery, the Hendrix Health Center will hold a student flu clinic. It costs $20 to get a flu vaccination, and they will accept either cash or check.
Carol Grimm, the director of health and wellness, thinks it’s important to get your flu shot.
“The number one reason to get a flu shot is not just to protect yourself but to protect everyone else,” Grimm said.
Flu shots are a great way to stay healthy; in fact according to WedMD.com the vaccination
reduces the chance of getting influenza by 70 to 90 percent. However, this isn’t the only illness floating around during this time of the year.
To avoid various sicknesses, making some simple lifestyle changes can make a colossal difference. There are the obvious solutions such as washing your hands frequently, eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water.
Also, taking a daily vitamin, exercising regularly and getting around eight hours of sleep will help build a strong immune system.
However, there are some “healthy” habits that aren’t so healthy. For instance, humidifiers are used daily in households, and by some religiously throughout the winter season.
Humidifiers help prevent dry skin and allow for easy breathing during those long, cold and dry months. Many people use them to help ease cold and flu symptoms.
Nevertheless, without proper upkeep, these helpful items could be one cause for illness this season.
For humidifiers to be helpful, the water must be changed every day and the filter should be replaced every couple of weeks. According to Mayoclinic.com, not doing this can cause mold and other bacteria to grow and these may cause illnesses.
Staying healthy this flu season all comes down to making healthy choices. Although getting sick is a part of life, making these choices can help significantly.
Besides, what college student has time to fit being sick into their schedule?
BY KRISTIN KIRTZ
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