As college students life is stressful.  But there are things you can do to minimize the stress and stay healthy.  Some suggestions are listed below.

Try following the NEWSTART plan.  The letters help you remember the key ingredients of good health.
 

• N--Nutrition:  Watch what you eat.  Just as your car is designed to run on gasoline, your body is designed to run best on good wholesome food.  The food pyramid is a good way to be sure that you are getting a balanced diet.  This means lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and few high fat foods like meat and deserts.  Try to eat on a regular schedule with nothing but water between meals.  Never skip breakfast--it gives you energy for the whole day.  Try eating a meal higher in protein for breakfast and a meal higher in carbohydrates for supper.  The reason is that proteins tend to wake you up and carbohydrates tend to make you sleepy.  You don't want to be sleepy during class--you want to be alert.  If you eat foods with a higher fiber content they will tend to keep your blood sugar level steady so that you won't feel hungry before it is time for your next meal.  Also be sure to get plenty of vitamin C by eating citrus fruits.  Watch the sweets.  Sugar depresses the immune system by 75%.

• E--Exercise:  We are designed to be physically active.  Regular exercise is very effective in combating many health problems, both physical and mental.  It strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, and reduces stress.  Try to get some aerobic exercise most days of the week.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.  Walk to class rather than drive if you live near  or on campus.

• W--Water:  Our bodies are composed mostly of water and virtually every bodily function depends on water.  Six to eight glasses per day are recommended for the average person.  Water on the outside of the body may be used to treat pain and infection, and is vital for cleansing the skin.  Often when we feel hungry it is the signal for water not for food.  If you feel tired you may need water.  Our bodies need water long before we actually feel thirsty, so drink a glass of water even when you don't feel thirsty.  Here is another use.  If you have a headache, try putting your feet into some hot water and a cold compress on your head, rather than taking an aspirin.  Or if you feel like you are coming down with something try the ALTERNATING SHOWER THERAPY listed below.  It rapidly boosts the immune system.  To beat germs before they beat you, WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY.

• S--Sunshine:  Sunshine is one of the healing agents of nature, and is necessary for strong bones.  Just 15 minutes of sunlight can provide the daily requirement of Vitamin D.  Moderation is the key, avoid sunburn.  Sunshine also kills germs.

•  T--Temperance:  Temperance is having a healthful balance in every area of life.  It involves avoiding that which is harmful and moderation in that which is good.  Contrary to popular belief among college students, alcohol is not the perfect food--or beverage either for that matter.  It can kill you--fast, through car accidents or alcohol poisoning, or slowly--through dependency and resulting diseases.

• A--Air:  Air is the body's most frequently needed resource.  Living in an environment where the air quality is good greatly enhances our ability to fight disease.  Breathing deeply of fresh, outdoor air promotes a good oxygen supply for the body's cells.

• R--Rest:  With proper rest, productivity and disease resistance is increased.  Rest is the great rejuvenator.  We need quiet physical relaxation after active work, vigorous exercise after mental work, and deep restorative sleep.  The usual recommendation is 8-9 hours of sleep each night.  However, it has been shown that the hours before midnight are "worth"  twice as much in terms of quality sleep as the hours after midnight.  So try to avoid burning the midnight oil.  Start studying early so you can get to bed at a decent time.

 
• T--Trust:  Stress, fear, and anxiety affect the chemistry and function of every body system.  A calm, confident, optimistic outlook, rather than worrying about the future helps relieve stress.  However you can't be confident about upcoming exams, for example, if you have skimped in preparing for them.  Be consistent and thorough in your studying.  See the How to Study page.  For myself, trust in God, as the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of my life is indispensable.
 

Here is a remedy that you may wish to try.  I read it in a medical textbook used at Loma Linda University.  (In case you wondered, it is not an old wives tale--it really works--I've tried it many times)
 

• Early on, when you first feel sick, take an alternating hot and cold shower.  Three minutes hot followed by 30 seconds to a minute of cold, and repeat that for at least three cycles.  Make the hot hotter each time and the cold colder each time.  Be sure to end with cold.  You can tell if you have done it correctly by the way your skin feels.  Then get into a warm bed and rest or sleep for at least an hour.  This process forces the white blood cells, which fight germs, to rapidly multiply, raising the level of your immunity.  It works best if you do it when you first start to feel sick, but it is still advantageous even after you have the full blown illness.

Other things to do:

• Get extra vitamin C.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Tomato juice is great for a sore throat.
• Get extra rest.
• Go to Health Services if you don't get better right away.
• It is always courteous and prudent to notify your instructors when you will miss class because of illness.  Email is fine.