No one likes getting sick. When living in a cold city like Chicago, you’re more susceptible to getting sick. With classes, work, and anything that life throws at you, it’s important to stay as healthy as you can. Here are 5 tips to stay healthy during the brutal winters of Chicago!

1. Sleep! Ah, yes, the simple advice of making sure you get enough sleep. As a college student, getting enough sleep can be impossible, but this is so important! Sleep is how your body recovers to stay healthy, so aim for 7-9 hours per night.
2. Eat foods high in vitamin C! When consuming foods high in vitamin C, our first thought is to eat an orange. While oranges are high in vitamin C, there are many other foods that are even higher in vitamin C. My favorites are bell peppers, broccoli, kale, spinach, kiwi, mangoes, and strawberries. Make sure you get some of these fruits and veggies in!
3. Try boosting your health with Emergen-C! Emergen-C is a supplement high in vitamin C and mixed into water to boost your immune system. It’s great for when you feel yourself catching a cold. It’s not something you take daily, just an enhancement to fight off an oncoming cold. There are many flavors to choose from, but my favorite is raspberry.
4. Wash your hands! Being in downtown Chicago, running from class to class, and getting on and off the CTA means that washing your hands is crucial. It’s the most efficient way to keep germs away! I would also recommend keeping a mini hand sanitizer in your backpack to use from class to class.
5. Try Elderberry and/or Echinacea vitamins or teas! Elderberry and Echinacea are both plants that are high in vitamin C. These herbal remedies can help fight off colds and flus. My favorite way to get them in is to take a vitamin gummy or drink an Elderberry/Echinacea tea.