With the chilly weather rolling in and flu season closely approaching, prioritizing healthy habits is key to keeping our Stag herd happy and healthy. Here are some helpful resources to stay in tip-top shape this semester.

1. Nutrition

Maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet supports a strong immune system and provides our bodies with the energy they need to get through busy weeks and long study sessions.

The Fairfield dining facilities offer a wide variety of convenient healthy options for students. Daily servings of fruits and vegetables are offered along with premade salads and complete meals. The current COVID-friendly format allows students to customize their meals, making it easy to incorporate healthy components into any meal.

The USDA ChooseMyPlate Guidelines are an excellent resource on how to make the nutritional choices that are right for you.

2. Exercise & Fitness

Daily movement is a great way to increase your energy levels, improve overall health, and better your mental/emotional health.

There are so many options to add some movement into your daily routine such as: dorm-friendly workouts, the RecPlex & Fairfield Fit fitness classes, outdoor runs, walking to class, or even a little morning stretch. One of the best ways to stay consistent is discovering what type of movement is enjoyable for you and finding a friend to join you.

3. Stress Management

Mental and emotional health is just as important as physical health. Our Fairfield community values the Magis values of caring for the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. This balance impacts our entire being, so it is no wonder mental and emotional health directly correlates to our overall wellness.

Counseling & Psychological Services at Fairfield is a free, confidential service available to all full-time undergraduate students. Whether you are going through a rough patch or just need someone to talk to the office is open to schedule an appointment.

Finding an outlet is also a great way to relieve stress. Some of our personal favorites are yoga classes at the RecPlex, listening to music, enjoying quality time with friends, and going for long walks around campus.

4. Sleep

Getting in enough rest is essential to keep up with the busy schedule of a

college student. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says adults need at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

To get the proper amount of rest and make falling asleep a breeze try minimizing screen time an hour before bed, reflect on your day, look forward to the next day, and create a nighttime routine that works for you.

While getting those assignments done is important, be sure to prioritize necessary rest as well.

5. Hygiene

Practicing proper hygiene is one of the best ways to keep the germs at bay. Good hygiene goes beyond basic personal hygiene regimes such as regular hand washing, showering, and teeth brushing. It’s important to utilize hand sanitizer stations located across campus, wiping down surfaces after use, and cleaning dorm rooms on a regular basis.

Instilling these simple, yet effective practices help keep our building clean and our community safe.

6. Social Distancing

In an effort to minimize COVID-19 cases on campus, CDC Social Distancing Guidelines and continued respect for the Connecticut State Governor’s COVID-19 Executive Orders are necessary.

Together, we can demonstrate a deep respect for others by practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, limiting group gatherings, following room capacities, and monitoring personal health and hygiene.

The latest information on Fairfield University's Testing & Reporting can be found on the COVID-19 Daily Dashboard.

We hope you find these tips and tricks helpful. Let’s remember to take care of ourselves and our fellow stags!

Stags Up & Out,

FUSA Blog

By: Danielle Mank