I wanted to give you some tips and tricks in case you're like me right now, and are feeling a little under the weather.  Not any full blown cold or flu, but just a little rough around the edges.  A sore throat and runny nose that won’t go away can always turn into something worse if you don't take of yourself.  And if you're like me, then you probably don't want to wait around and see what it may turn into.  So instead, let's dive into a few self-care tips to stay healthy during finals week!

Rest

I cannot stress this enough; if you do not rest then you will not get better.  Somewhere along the way a cold or flu virus has backed your immune system into a corner, so it goes without saying that warning signs of something coming on, means you need rest or it will only get worse.  Your body is under stress and so your immune defenses have gone down. Rest up, relax and de-stress.  Take a step back from running around all over the place and sleep, take vitamins (magnesium, vitamin C, multi-vitamin, etc...), and ease up on the exercise!  If you're usually up at 6am to go for a 5k run and at the gym every afternoon lifting weights, this is when you need to back off.  Sleep in an extra hour instead, your body needs it.  Do a yoga class instead of lifting.  Don't stay up until 2am playing video games or surfacing Facebook looking for an excuse to stay awake longer.  If you find this really hard to do, remind yourself it's only (hopefully) for a few days!  Accept that even if you want to, some things can't get done the moment you want them to.  Other things may need to be done, like grocery shopping when the fridge is bare.  An early night is going to do more for you than if you're up until the crack of dawn.

Immune Support

As I said above, if you're not feeling 100%, your immune system is not up to where it should be.  This is where eating right is crucial.  With the holidays bringing us wonderful treats tempting us everywhere we go you have to find a way to bring some fruits and veggies into your diet.  It is so easy to let your diet slip a during winter months and it is so important to continue to fuel your body with the right things to stay fit and energized,  Here are just a few foods I would recommend incorporating into your diet this winter to get all the vitamins and nutrients your needs: sweet potatoes and carrots, vitamin A and beta-carotene rich, they stimulate and enhance immune function.  Spinach and avocados, vitamin E-rich, they enhance helper T-cell activity, which in turn helps to protect your immune system!  Onions and garlic, these contain a compound called "allicin" which works as an antibacterial and antiviral agent.  Apples and pears, their soluble fiber changes unhealthy immune cells to healing anti-inflammatory cells to help you recover faster from an infection.  Additionally, wash your hands.  Duh, right?  Seriously, wash your hands like you have a slight obsession with it.  I try not to be mindless when I wash my hands in winter.  Remember to thoroughly lather and wash the front and back of your hands for 30 seconds. And do it a lot.  You'll notice that you'll keep yourself and others from getting sick.  Lastly, drink water.  Do not forget this!  In the hot summer months it's always easier to consume more water to stay hydrated, but in the winter we start to tend drinking more Starbucks like it's our job.  Challenge yourself and take a water bottle to work or with you while you go to class.  I keep a water bottle right beside me at work so I have no excuse to not drink water and I give myself a goal of drinking at least two full 16 ounces before lunch.  Drink lots and lots and lots of water!

Mind Over Matter

This might sound silly but I am a firm believer in the power of your own mind.  I really do believe that if you tell yourself you are healthy, happy, energized… whatever… you will start to feel those things.  When I get a little moany in my life “I’m so tired. My back hurts… blah blah…” well I feel awful.  It's finals week and we are full swing into Holiday season, so there's bound to be complaints about something, I get it.  But instead of giving in to your negative mind set, tell yourself to be diligent so you stay healthy and you just might!  Instead of saying “Oh great now I am going to get sick” when your classmate or relative gets the flu, tell yourself over and over that you "Ain’t got no time for that."  So try to stay positive this winter and maybe you can convince yourself that you really do feel great!