How to Stay Healthy for THON Weekend

THON is arguably one of the most anticipated weekends at Penn State, but since it is schedule in the middle of February, it is right in the prime time for sickness. Staying healthy enough to be able to cheer on the dancers and be there for every second of greatness THON has to offer is essential for Penn State students, so here are some tips to stay healthy for THON weekend.

Editor-in-Chief of Valley, Kayleigh Barber, swears by drinking a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon 30 minutes after waking up in the morning. Not only will this help with cutting out caffeine in the morning, but hot water with lemon also has many other healthy side effects. According to an article on Popsugar, lemons are a natural way to detox the body of any toxins, jumpstart your metabolism which aids in weight loss, as well as soothes an upset stomach.

“At this point I would be on my second week of being sick,” says Barber. “I’ve been drinking [water and lemon] once every day and I feel great.”

Getting to bed early may seem impossible, but the extra z’s you catch at night will benefit you during the day. Sleeping for seven to nine hours every night helps your body recover from the hectic lifestyle most college kids lead. At night, your body processes everything it learned throughout the day and can focus on fighting bacteria that could potentially make you sick. Not only will you wake up feeling more refreshed than before, but you might even remember the information from class a little better.

Everyone wants to stay healthy throughout the year, but it’s even more essential when there is a chance you won’t be allowed into THON. Vitamin C could be the answer to all of your health related problems. Getting the proper amount of Vitamin C, and all your vitamins for that matter, really makes the difference for your immune system. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with all kinds of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to keep us going. A serving of mixed fruit or vegetables with every meal can give the immune system the boost it needs to fight off the flu.

“My go-to when I feel a cold coming on is alternating between drinking Emergen-C and orange juice,” says Christina Butera, a junior at Penn State. “The sugar from the orange juice gives me the energy I lack from starting to be sick and the Emergen-C gives me peace of mind knowing I am overloaded on the stuff that will make me healthy.”

THON weekend is so exciting, so don’t forget to stay healthy so you do not have to miss out on the fun.

Have a killer health tip we missed? Tweet @valleymag with what your secret to #stayinghealthy is!