The most wonderful thing about winter is to break out your scarf collection. You can't wait to show yours, a bright orange one from Siem Reap. It was your most memorable holiday with your parents, but you were disappointed when your housemates asked you about Angkor Wat. (Your parents wanted to witness the sunrise in that hollow ground, and you had few hours of sleep. You were surprised to see tens of backpackers crowding the sandstone causeway.) And then someone sneezed. You better watch out.
Expect snowfall in the northern hemisphere, and this would mean a season of cold and flu. The holiday ended, and you wanted to be in tiptop shape. Just follow precautions. Always remember the following:
Make sure you sleep for seven hours or more. You need a good rest. In fact, you'll yearn for it when there are too many tasks in your list. You should know, as this was the case before Christmas. You were overwhelmed with the assignments, and you worried about the lack of time for studying. It didn't help that your tutor was nursing a cold. You knew that eight hours of dreamless sleep would be a heavenly experience. You wanted to lie down all day. You can entertain such thoughts next weekend.
Always wash your hands. It would be silly to start the day by calling out your housemates and sing a song. (“If you're happy and you know it, scrub your hands!â€). But good hygiene is important. You must have a hand sanitizer. (You don't fancy lemon scent anymore, so you opt for peach.) Make sure you wash the dishes thoroughly. (There's no excuse for not doing it.) Keep the table clean. And a tidy room should be a frequent sight. It can be challenging during the weeks leading to the holiday. But do your college best.
Food or drink must be hot or cold. There's no need to prove the germ theory of disease by letting a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and keep it untouched for a day or two. You should know what will happen. (Your mother reminded you about it, but you didn't like her stern voice. You tried to forget it instead.) It's the same thing with food. (Eat it right away. Otherwise, store it in the fridge. You might be in a generous mood, sharing it with your housemates. They might return the favor, but don't expect it.) You know the benefits of water, but there's no harm in beer now and then. Don't forget a cup of hot tea when you're not feeling well.
Learn more. Ignorance isn't bliss in this case. If you have the time for social media, then you can research on journals and news features on microorganisms. This will make you aware of nosophobia, if you're showing some symptoms.
