Healthy Habits for Flu Season

The Canadian Mental Health Association states that mental and physical health are fundamentally linked. Health is no longer understood as an absence of disease; health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. In fact, there is no health without mental health.

Facts:

• Poor mental health is a risk factor for acquiring long-lasting physical illnesses.
• People with long-lasting physical illnesses are at risk of developing poor mental health.

Tip for Improving Your Mental Health:

• Maintain healthy relationships with those you love. This includes friends, family, and partners. Toxic people won’t help your mental health.
• Check-in with yourself from time to time. Spend a few minutes each night reflecting on what went well and what didn’t go so well today. Is there anything that you can improve on? Did you do the best you could do today?
• Prioritize time for sleep and healthy meals. You’ll have more energy!
• Incorporate self-care into your life, whether that’s taking a long shower, applying your favourite moisturizer, getting some fresh air, or doing some yoga or meditation. Whatever method of self-care you choose, it’s important to take some time to take care of YOU.

Can a lack of sleep make you ill?

Yes! Studies show that when you don’t get adequate rest you are more at risk of being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold. The lack of sleep you have will also affect your recovery sleep – when you are sick you need more sleep, so lack of sleep prior to this means you will need to sleep ever longer.

Sleep and Cytokines

Cytokines are produced when you sleep and are required to increase when you are fighting an infection. However, sleep deprivation can decrease the production of cytokines in your body.

What to Avoid If You Want to Sleep Well

• Large fatty foods before bedtime – these can make it harder to fall asleep
• Caffeine and energy drinks late in the day – caffeine can take several hours for the effects to wear off
• Too many fluids before bedtime – this can wake you up repeatedly to use the bathroom
• An unhealthy lifestyle – eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle can help you sleep better!
• Exercising late at night can also cause some people to have trouble falling asleep

If you struggling with your sleep, eating well, or any other aspect of your health, including your mental health, it is important to speak to a medical professional for advice.

If you are not sure what service you should speak to, you can connect with your RA or your Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) who will be able to refer you to the correct service. Your RA is based on your floor of the Residence, and the RLCs are based in the Residence Life Department in the Back Lobby of Residence.

For more information about all of the services available to you, please click here.