Common college ailments

It’s time to prepare for the sneezes, the coughs, the headaches and the stress as students delve deeper into the semester. The changing environment - along with clustered classrooms where  we are obligated to rub elbows with fellow classmates - allows sickness. However, some go beyond the common cold. Here are some other common ones and what you can conveniently do (if you’re up for the challenge) on campus to keep yourself healthy.

Obesity 

Today, more than 30 percent of college students are considered obese or overweight by the American College Health Association’s standards. Unhealthy diets and limited physical activity has caused many college students to become obese or overweight. Ultimately, this issue accumulates over time and it can be easy to resolve if you begin to make healthier chooses now. If you are living in a dorm, CalorieLab recommends choosing a dorm  that is relatively close to the fitness center, or even better, farther away from the diner.

Mental Illness

An alarming 41 percent of college students reported feeling symptoms of depression during college and many do not seek treatment for their mental illness, according to the American Psychological Association. However, most college campuses have health centers which provide mental health services that are free and anonymous for the student.

Alcohol abuse

Studies show that more than 1,400 college students die each year from alcohol-related accidents, it is also estimated that about 600,000 college students get into alcohol-related fights. Accidental injuries not related to alcohol are much less common and could be avoided if students simply drank more responsibly.

Through recognizing when you aren’t feeling well and ensuring that you act quickly and wisely to get back on track , you can excel academically and protect yourself  from minor to severe physical ailments both now and in the future.