It’s that time of year again, and little by little, students’ dreams of final exemptions are being shattered due to absences from sickness.

To avoid this devastating fate, here are a few simple ways to protect yourself from getting sick.

1. Get more sleep – As a high school student, this can be difficult. But, something as simple as putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” in the nighttime can allow you to snooze longer, while not interrupting your sleeping patterns. A significant figure in sickness is lack of rest, so be sure get the recommended 9 hours.
2. Wash your hands – Imagine how many objects you lay your hands on per day, and imagine how many other peoples’ hands have been on them. Simply wash your hands before every meal and in between, and stray from hand towels; hand dryers are a more hygienic alternative.
3. Drink water – This one is obvious; most teenagers don’t drink the recommended amount of H2O a day. Often times your body is in need of fluids when your mind is unaware. So, drink at least 7 glasses of water per day, and be sure to avoid sugary drinks.
4. Heat up your wardrobe – Interestingly enough, studies have shown that clothing washed in hot water and dried on a hot setting kills more germs than clothing washed and dried on regular machine settings. The next time you do your laundry, keep this in mind.
5. Treat yourself – Something as simple as a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate every so often can be beneficial for your immune system. Not only will the natural ingredients build immunity in your body, but the steam let off these beverages stimulates muscles within the nasal cavity; keeping everything working in check.

Among many others, these are just a few simple ways to help protect yourself from getting sick. For more information and further tips and advice, be sure to check in with www.health.com on the regular.

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