How to Stay Healthy in College

Staying healthy may not be the first thing on a college student's mind, but perhaps meningitis or foot fungus will change their attitude towards cleanliness. Most students aren't going to be worried about preventing these things until it's too late. But by taking just a couple preventative steps, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.

The number one thing that's going to keep you healthy, is keeping yourself clean. Wash your hands frequently, especially after extensive contact with other people, for example, parties. I find it incredibly useful to keep a container of hand sanitizer in my dorm room. You may even want to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse.

Next, keep your dorm room clean. Less clutter equals fewer places for germs and bugs to hide out. It's especially important to keep your room vacuumed and dusted if you have allergies. Keeping Clorox wipes around is a simple, easy way to get rid of dirt, dust, and germs. Also, make sure to keep your food and drinks in sealed containers to deter insects.

Whether you're in a suite style dorm or have traditional, shared showers and bathrooms, you'll probably notice how dingy they look. After years of being used by who knows what kind of people, you'll want to wear shower shoes. Use an old pair of flip flops every time you shower and you'll greatly reduce the risk of picking up athlete's foot. To be even safer, wear socks or shoes at all times in the dorms.

Part of the fun of college is getting to choose your own meals. But for many students, this means not eating enough, or pigging out on junk food. Keep in mind that you'll look and feel much better if you eat wisely and keep a regular eating schedule. Not to say you can't eat junk food, but make sure it's not your entire diet.

Last but certainly not least, don't forget to sleep! Sleep deprivation will not only make you sluggish all day, it will affect your outward appearance and even your GPA. Pulling all-nighters is more likely to help you fail exams, not pass them. It's okay to stay up late sometimes, but don't make it a habit. If your body doesn't get enough sleep, it will eventually have a damaging effect on other areas of your life.

These are just a few small, yet important ways to keep healthy while living at college. It doesn't take major changes to keep yourself healthy while living in dorm rooms. Just remember to keep yourself (and your room) clean, healthy, and well-rested.