By: Paige Scofield, Campus Life Editor
It’s that time of year. Colds, flus, bugs, viruses and bacteria are all around us. Being surrounded by many people in your classrooms and in your dorms can cause you to become more vulnerable to getting sick. Not to mention how stress can affect your immune system.
According to the American Psychological Association, “Stress of any significant duration – from a few days to a few months or years, as happens in real life – can ravage the immune system.”
Living in the dorms can be difficult. Being in close proximity with your hallmates and roommates who might be sick themselves, while trying to avoid the sniffle bus, can be a feat.
Despite this, the worst part of catching whatever may be going around is not being home with your parents, siblings or significant others who would take care of you with a full medicine cabinet.
But, part of growing up is learning how to take care of yourself – however annoying that may be. Medicine can be expensive when you’re living on a college budget, so here are some tips you can consider using when you’re on a budget and under the weather.
1) Go to the Student Health and Counseling Center on campus
The Student Health and Counseling Center has free cold packets that are available to all students. They contain cough drops, medicine and other small things you might need. If your illness starts to become concerning to you, don’t hesitate to make a doctor’s appointment with the on campus doctors.
2) Drink fluids
According to WebMD, drinking plenty of fluids helps break up your congestion, makes your throat moist, and keeps you from getting dehydrated. Most people should drink at least eight to 10 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day. This includes water, tea and sports drinks.
3) Go for a steam
You can help your stuffy nose loosen up by breathing in steam. Turning your shower on to hot and closing the bathroom door can create a steam room rather quickly. Sit in your bathroom for 10 minutes or so to help reduce stuffiness. While doing this try to take deep inhales every few minutes, and blow your nose once you’re done to help the process.
4) Stay warm and rested
Give your body a chance to fight off sickness, while giving yourself a break. Relaxing helps your body direct its energy towards fighting off your sickness. So snuggle up under a blanket and watch a movie, so your body can patch itself up.
5) Prop yourself up
Sleeping with a plugged up head can be uncomfortable and awkward. Propping your head up with an extra pillow can help relieve congestion, and make it easier to breathe while trying to sleep.
6) Soothe your throat
Herbal tea is one of the best home remedies to soothe a sore throat. There are many varieties of tea, but those that help with sore throats are: licorice spice, peppermint and ginger honey lemon. So drink up!
7) Eat eat eat
Your body needs energy to fight off sicknesses, so make sure you’re giving it the nutrients it needs to become healthy. When you’re sick eating might not always be appealing, but try to eat three solid meals a day so you can fight the good fight.
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu
The first Take Back the Night rally started in 1975 in response to the murder of Philadelphia-based microbiologist Susan Alexander Speeth, who was stabbed to death while walking home alone.
lovable mascot Wolfie. This week next to the Werner University Center Bookstore, there is a display of Wolfie throughout the years titled “Go Wolves! The Progression of Our Mascot.” To celebrate how much we’ve changed over our hundreds of homecomings, the Hamersly Library Archives, Student Engagement, Student Activities Board and the Office of Alumni have cooperated to set up several display cases that hold the past heads of Western’s biggest fan. Wolfie was originally named Waldo when he made his debut at our school in 1928. He claimed the name Wolfie in 1982. Wolfie has been representing and supporting our school for all of these years, and will continue to, even after our world turns to dust. Although he has changed through the years, the messages he sends out to our students and fans are the same as ever: have pride in your school, joy in your work and keep on fighting. Go Wolves!
f clothing in order for them to enter a running race around Western’s campus. The race is a mile long run that the participants compete in while wearing only underwear, or running clothes if they prefer. The race then ends at the bonfire location; the person who wins the race then lights the bonfire. The event raised a full barrel worth of clothes that will be donated to the Union Gospel Mission, located in Salem.
mpus, and get a familiarity and see how it feels to be on the campus, because that’s really influential on deciding where you go to college,” said Sydney Culpepper, a Western ambassador who gives tours of the campus and helps people get from session to session. “It’s also really nice to see the different opportunities because a lot of students don’t know the things that they can do when they come to college.”
ith a warm feeling (and it’s not from the alcohol). The use of spiced apple juice leaves you with the taste of autumn in your mouth. This is the perfect drink for fall. The recipe is as follows:
I’m a freshman bisexual girl and I have a big problem with relationships. They make me feel awkward. I don’t like holding hands and the mushy-gushy stuff hurts my soul. I’m asking for help to come out to my parents and also what I should do about not liking relationships. Am I the only one like this? I told my friend once, and she was really confused.
It’s that time of year! The time for goblins, ghouls, witches, scary movies and alcohol. Now, any good witch knows they need the perfect potion for dancing naked under the harvest moon, but also one for a chill kick back. If this sounds appealing, then dust off your pointy hat and cauldron, because,“Witches Brew,” is the drink for you! Here’s the recipe courtesy of food.com:
Post Traumatic Stress disorder affects 3.5 percent of the of the U.S. adult population which is roughly 7.7 million people.
