Blogger Biography: Victoria is new to military life. She’s a Georgia Southern University graduate and a public relations enthusiast who works as a social media editor for small businesses. When she has free time, Victoria volunteers at the USO center to support other military service members.
I woke up. Hot and sweaty. Coughing. With a headache. No warning — I had the flu. During my four days of misery in bed, I started thinking about the bigger picture. I realized that I had been selfish to not get the flu shot. I should have been more careful. More responsible.
Currently, my significant other is in Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training, a rigorous nine-week training school. He goes to work, comes home to study, goes to bed and then does it all over again the next day. If he were to get sick, it would immensely affect his career. The bigger picture: our lives.
I made a promise to myself while I dismally ate my tomato soup. I would do everything in my power to keep us healthy!
Get the flu shot. I have always been skeptical of the flu shot. I have heard a number of horror stories about people having bad reactions or getting sick as a result of getting vaccinated. The reality is my spouse is required to get the flu shot, so shouldn’t I? Also, I’m around other spouses who are pregnant or have little ones. I don’t want to risk their lives.
Carry hand sanitizer in your purse. I go to the gym, the grocery store, out for coffee, to bars, restaurants and the movie theater. Thousands of people touch doors, counters, shopping carts and chairs. All it takes is one sick person to make me sick.
Get more vitamin C and vitamin D. Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant, so the nutrient can help prevent colds. I plan on getting my vitamin C by eating more fruits and veggies. Vitamin D helps sustain the immune system. I plan on spending more of my afternoons at the park, walking my dog or sitting by a window.
Sleep more. Every night, I tell myself that I need to go to bed by 10 p.m. Before I know it, it’s already 11:15 p.m. I wake up the next day wishing that I went to bed earlier. I’m going to get ready for bed at 9:45 p.m. every night. I will.
Work up a sweat. Exercise helps the immune system stay strong. It’s actually helped me kick a couple colds. I vow to work out at least four days a week. No excuses.
There’s a little something that everyone can do to decrease his or her chances of getting sick. It’s important to create healthy habits such as washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face and staying away from sick people.
I haven’t been taking it as seriously as I should. I never had to. But now, we have so much to lose, and I don’t want to be responsible for risking our livelihood and ultimately, his dream.
Don’t be a health risk.
Being a graduate student of Trident University, pursuing a second graduate degree, it is so incredible to have Trident post these incredible recommendations that a guest blogger contributed! Staying healthy requires all measures and interventions to take care of the body and mind. If I might add to these recommendations a student at any grade level must find ways to nurture oneself that also takes care of the spiritual aspect of the body that truly proves to reduce stress that can be a contributing factor to health impairment or improvement when stress is addressed appropriately. Exercise as was recommended, healthy food and time that allows one to engage in daily activities that feeds the soul! Healthy mind and body equates to a healthy and successful academic outcome that influences ones’ professional and personal life.