Tips for Staying Healthy While Living in a College Dorm

Going away to college can be a life-changing experience. It is a time when there are so many different activities in which to take part, so many new people to meet and get to know, and so many adjustments to make. Yes, adjustments. One of those adjustments is learning how to live in a dormitory with several others day in and day out throughout the school year.

Living with so many other people in one place can present lots of great benefits, but it can also bring about a number of challenges as well. While one's social life will be enhanced, one's chances of catching that dreadful cold or of experiencing health problems from greater levels of stress are increased. Staying well while living the dorm life can be a test.

In this article, a few tips will be provided on how to maintain good physical and emotional health even while living in a college dorm. The author of this article uses these tips in her own life with her family to try and keep everyone well.

1. Wash your hands often. It is recommended to do this particularly after using the restroom, before eating, and prior to touching the nose, mouth, or eyes (for example, before brushing your teeth or putting in contact lenses). This activity will help to cut down on the transfer of germs. If you are not able to wash your hands, utilize a waterless hand sanitizer. This author's favorite brand is Young Living's Thieves Waterless Hand Purifier. and can be ordered from http://www.youngliving.us/products.asp.

2. Be active and take part in regular daily exercise. Most colleges and universities have a gymnasium or offer tennis courts, basketball courts, or some other type of sports-related area. Choose a physical activity that you enjoy, and try to partake in it daily. Walking around campus provides a wonderful source of exercise. If the weather is yucky outside, invest in a yoga or walking DVD that can be used in your dorm room. This author's favorite indoor exercise DVD's are any of Leslie Sansone's walking videos, and these videos can be ordered from http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/index.htm.

3. Try to make food choices that are low fat and nutritious. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are wonderful sources of vitamins and minerals and can help maintain your immune system. Most dorm rooms contain mini-refrigerators, so keep yours well stocked with your favorite fruits and veggies. For breakfast, try to choose oatmeal, a whole grain cereal, quinoa, granola, whole wheat toast, or something of that nature instead of a doughnut, In addition to the fruits and vegetables in your fridge, keep healthy snacks, such as trail mix, almonds, dried fruit, and other such goodies, on hand. When you go to the college cafeteria or out to a restaurant with friends, choose foods that are low fat, low sodium, and low cholesterol. Occasional junk food is okay, but make it the exception and not the rule.

4. Try to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep per night. Your body performs maintenance and repair work as you sleep, so be sure to allow it the time to do so. If you have to get less than 6 hours of sleep one night, try to take a nap between classes the next day. If you have trouble sleeping in the dorm, put some soothing music on your IPOD to enjoy while you are lying down, put lavender oil diluted with olive oil (this author usually does 1 drop of lavender oil to 4 drops of olive oil) on the bottoms of your feet, and wear an eye mask.

5. Take a multivitamin or drink at least one EmergenC daily. Most college towns have a natural health food store, so go and find a great multivitamin. This author really likes Nature's Way's line of vitamins, and www.naturesway.com can tell you where to find a store that carries their brand near you. An EmergenC contains 1000mg of Vitamin C in addition to other vitamins and minerals and is great to mix with water and drink for daily health maintenance or when you feel like you are getting sick. For the use of both multivitamins and EmergenC, follow the directions provided on the box, or consult your doctor or pharmacist for any questions or concerns.

6. When using the dorm's laundry room, put a few drops of either eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, or peppermint oil into the washer along with the laundry detergent. The author of this article does this with her own laundry and has found it be to effective in helping to take care of any bacteria that might normally remain on the clothes. While your clothes may smell like the oil when you remove it from the washer, the smell will dissipate after the clothes' turn in the dryer.

7. Find a little quiet time every day just to meditate. College life can be very stressful at times. Find a place where you can get away for about 15 minutes every day in order to unwind. This might be a good time to read the Bible, listen to some music, pray, or just meditate.