Going off to college for the first time is often an exciting yet intimidating experience. However, during these uncertain times, college students of all ages may feel uneasy returning to campus. If this is you, you may wonder how you can stay safe and healthy in college while also enjoying this time in your life and getting in a good education. The best way to protect yourself against infection, besides standard precautionary measures like wearing a mask and social distancing, is by taking care of your body.
According to the Harvard Medical School, choosing a healthy lifestyle is the first line of defense against viruses and other disruptions to the immune system. The immune system helps fight off infection, and you can boost your immune system by not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate sleep, washing your hands often, and minimizing stress.
Following all of these steps can be difficult in college but with these college Amazon essentials, sustaining a healthy lifestyle will be easy!
Personal Blender
One of the best ways to boost your immune system is by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University found that red grapes and blueberries contain a compound that may be beneficial in boosting immune function. However, it can often be difficult to store fresh fruits and vegetables, like red grapes and blueberries, in a college dorm.
Instead, try stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables and making them into a smoothie! The Hamilton Beach Personal Blender is an affordable and compact blender, making it perfect for college students. Simply add in your favorite fruits and vegetables, blend it up, and take your smoothie anywhere from class to the library.
Yoga Mat and Resistance Bands
Exercising regularly is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The Journal of Sport and Health Science published a study in 2019 that analyzed four connections between exercise and the immune system. Although the researchers discovered that high-intensity training can impose unnecessary stress on the body, acute exercise for 60 minutes or less can enhance immune defense activity and metabolic health.
Therefore, it is important to stick to a consistent exercise routine in college. While this may be difficult due to gym closings and limited space inside a dorm room, there are many exercises you can do with just a yoga mat! Try also incorporating resistance bands into your workouts to help build muscle from the comfort of your own dorm or apartment.
Scale
Although your weight is not always indicative of your health and fitness level, it is important to make sure that you do not put on excessive pounds of fat while in college. In a 2016 study, researchers found that obesity is often linked with a decrease in immune system function. This means that obese individuals may be more susceptible to infections, so it is important to maintain a healthy weight to help protect your body from chronic diseases, viruses, and other negative health outcomes.
To help keep track of your health, try keeping a scale in your room or bathroom. This way, you can make sure that you are not gaining an unhealthy amount of weight when you transition from home-life to college-life. However, do not purchase a scale if you are prone to eating disorders or obsessing over your bodyweight.
Essential Oils Diffuser
Getting enough sleep and managing stress are both important components of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy immune system. Essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus, are widely believed to help reduce stress and promote better sleep. In a 2014 study, researchers investigated the effects of inhaling eucalyptus prior to surgery. The results indicated that measures of anxiety were significantly lower in individuals who inhaled eucalyptus versus those who did not.
Thus, it may be beneficial to try inhaling essential oils like eucalyptus throughout the day. If you purchase a diffuser, you can select which essential oil you would like to try, and you can breathe it in while you study, sleep, or do anything else in your room. This can help you manage your stress and get adequate sleep, which will, in turn, boost your immune system.
Reusable Hand Sanitizer Keychain Bottles
In college, students are often on-the-go and may not have access to soap and water at all times. However, it is still extremely important to wash your hands often. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
It is a good idea to purchase hand sanitizer bottles that can be attached to your school backpack so that you are never without hand sanitizer! Fill up these reusable containers with your favorite hand sanitizer that has an alcohol content of at least 60 percent, and sanitize your hands often, especially before eating and after coughing or sneezing.
