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Staying Healthy
Hamden Hall has officially survived its first wave of colds. But we are nearing November, and flu season is creeping upon us; Here’s what I’ve learned after enduring an on-and-off cold for the past few weeks:
Sleep!
I cannot stress this enough— sleep is the key to a healthy brain and body. This is easier said than done. With weekly quizzes and tests, difficult classes, college applications for some, and outside stressors, sleep is very hard to catch up on a weekday. But as a student, sleep is just as (if not more) important than doing work and being diligent in classes. Lack of sleep can lead to burnout very quickly. Sometimes it’s about putting your books down and accepting that an extra few hours of sleep is more beneficial than finishing work that can be made up. Especially if you are feeling stressed or under the weather, sleep can keep you feeling fresh in the morning.
Food!
Food is very important, especially for growing bodies. Not only can eating breakfast keep you from getting hungry before lunch, but it cal also provide you with more energy and focus throughout the morning. Our incredible lunch staff puts out a variety of foods in rain or shine; make sure you are taking advantage of this and have some food in your stomach to keep you going throughout the day!
Water!
Something that we all need more of. In addition to food, drinking a hefty amount of water in the morning is actually an effective way to feel more energetic and focused. Not to mention, it’s very rewarding to know that you drank enough water for the day. Though it seems fairly obvious, water is essential to health and helps with virtually all of the systems in your body. Something that helps me remember to drink water is carrying around a water bottle in my hand wherever I go! The visual and sensory reminder of water right in front of me helps me drink more throughout the day. So even though it may feel like a pain, carry some water with you!
Feeling your emotions
Believe it or not, mental health is directly correlated with physical health. This means that holding in stress, sadness, anxiety, etc, can lead to physical illness. Make sure you have some way to release your emotions, whether that be ranting to friends or a teacher, reading a sad book, or writing it all down, releasing pent-up emotions is very healthy for you. Especially when school gets intense, being able to let go of the smaller things helps clear your mind and keeps you from getting sick with stress.
Finding an outlet
What do you like to do outside of school? Make sure you are treating yourself to these moments of relaxation and self-expression throughout the week, or try to make time for yourself on the weekends. This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip; it can be a form of releasing the overwhelming feelings of school, and it can also be a way to get some more joy into your life, particularly as the days get shorter and colder. Find something to look forward to in your daily life, big or small!
Taking some vitamins
When you are beginning to feel sick, it’s important to wear your mask, drink water, and eat food. But sometimes your body may need some extra help. Taking a multivitamin, or vitamin C and D can boost your immune system to help you fight off anything lingering in your system. It may not seem like it’s doing much, but your body will thank you if it’s in need of extra immune support.
Prioritizing your health, both physical and mental (because they are connected), is extremely important. This can easily slip our minds as we get deeper into a project or stress about that next physics test. But making sure to treat your body gently and giving it the care it deserves is vital for getting through the day. Please take care of yourself; it helps you AND everyone surrounding you.