As Liberty University welcomes thousands of students from all across the world into one place, the risk of exposure to an illness, especially during the wintry season, increases.
Cold season typically begins in the fall and lasts through winter, according to the FDA. The cooler months encourage an increase in respiratory illnesses.
As students experience more stress, increase their caffeine intake and spend less time outside due to the colder weather, more pressure is added to their immune systems, increasing risk of illness.
Jonathan Giles, associate professor in the Department of Public Health, said that although illnesses are common in the colder months, the best prevention steps a student can take include getting adequate sleep, staying active, maintaining a healthy diet and handwashing.
Professor of Nursing Mary Clarke said there are steps students can take when they feel a cold coming on.
“We do want you to start taking zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D and magnesium,” Clarke said. Clarke mentioned that echinacea and elderberry are good supplements to take as well, as they may help boost the immune system to fight against viruses.
One of the most important things a student can prioritize to prevent illness is to develop healthy sleep habits, because sleep helps the body recover for optimal function.
“Be jealous of your sleeping time because getting adequate rest is so vitally important,” Giles said.
Clarke also emphasized the importance of sleep for illness prevention.
“Every night when we’re sleeping, our immune system is rebooting,” Clarke said.
Managing stress is also an effective way to prevent illness.
“Learn effective strategies to manage your stress. I do think we as created beings, we are losing our ability to manage our stress, and a lot of that has to do with time management, and the way that we perceive things,” Giles said.
Prayer also plays an important role in one’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being.
“Don’t discount the power of prayer,” Giles said. “There are studies that people who receive corporate prayer do recover better and live a healthier, longer functioning life.”
Water intake is another important aspect of staying healthy during colder months.
“Staying hydrated is of utmost importance. When you have a viral infection, your body’s metabolic demand for water increases, and so dehydration can be a problem,” Clarke said.
Eating a well-rounded diet with protein, fruits, vegetables and whole foods can also help prevent a student from falling ill.
“You know, grandma was right about a lot of things, but ‘tough out a cold’ is not one of them,” Clarke said.
Moving into the colder months, students should prioritize handwashing, a healthy diet and good sleep habits. If students are feeling ill, the Student Health Center is located in Commons III and is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the academic year.
Visit lustudenthealth.com for more information.
Hooker is a news reporter for The Liberty Champion.