mind, body, spirit
FALL 2023 VOL. 24 ISSUE 1
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Most brain-gut effects on mental health can be prevented with intelligent decisions and healthy eating habits. Being conscious of what types of fat, oil, sugar and processed ingredients are in meals is vital to help maintain these ideal conditions in the gut microbiome. Less inflammation in the gut creates less stress and suppression of neurotransmitters. Monitoring food intake from dining halls, snacks and cafes will help prevent this catalyst event, preserving mental and physical health.
For More Information:
What's the difference between fat and calories?
Trans fat is double trouble for heart health
The truth about fats: the good, the bad, and the in-between
Knowing Your Risk During Flu Season: Preventing Colds And Flu At Syracuse University
By Julia Anne Favaro
First-year student, Public Health
David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
This time of year, classes sound less like lecture presentations and more like a symphony of coughs and sniffles. Illness is everywhere you turn, from the pod bathrooms to basketball games. No part of campus feels safe. Being close to others on a college campus increases a student’s risk of getting sick. This is why it’s so important to be cautious during cold and flu season.
Lisa Olson-Gugerty, certified nurse practitioner and professor of public health at Syracuse University, explains that students are more likely to contract an illness while living in residence halls because they are living in a building with hundreds of students who all have different exposures and health behaviors. Therefore, not everyone takes the same precautions. You can decrease your risk of illness by getting a flu shot, practicing efficient hand hygiene, disinfecting living and workspaces, getting enough sleep and eating a nourishing, balanced diet.
Hand hygiene is often dismissed as common knowledge. Healthy hand hygiene consists of washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. This preventive recommendation has been instilled in every kindergarten classroom, public bathroom and even artsy informational Instagram posts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, handwashing is often overlooked. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that consciously washing your hands is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of bacteria. The CDC also says that proper hand hygiene can prevent one in five respiratory illnesses, such as a cold or flu. Being mindful of handwashing, especially before eating, and avoiding touching many shared surfaces can help students prevent illness as well.
Viruses like the cold and flu cling onto air and surfaces, like your hands. Viruses can survive on metal, plastic, fabric, paper and glass, says Medical News Today. Touching infected surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth is a common way to introduce viruses into your body. Using disinfectant wipes and sprays around your dorm and workspaces reduces your chances of getting sick. The Mayo Clinic says that the most common objects to disinfect are door handles, keyboards and phones. In a college setting, it is especially important to clean frequently used public spaces such as library surfaces and classroom desks.
Students are exposed to germs every day, whether through a fellow student’s cough or touching a doorknob. A healthy immune system fighting these viruses is just as important as preventive measures. According to the CDC, two significant factors that affect your immune system are diet and sleep.
Eating a nutritious and balanced diet aids cell function and optimal immune function. The Harvard School of Public Health says that a balanced meal should include vegetables, whole grains, fruits, protein and healthy oils. Your body also needs adequate sleep, not only for energy but to produce antibodies. The CDC recommends that students 18 and older get at least seven hours per night. In addition to this, receiving the flu vaccine is important in preventing the flu, reducing the flu’s severity and slowing its spread, according to the CDC. You can get your flu shot through Syracuse University’s Barnes Center at The Arch flu clinics. Students can also make an appointment with the Barnes Center via its patient portal if they suspect they have contracted an illness. By engaging in these preventive practices, you can protect yourself and your classmates against illness during this cold and flu season.
For More Information:
Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu