life & style // 10 Winter is coming » How to avoid getting the flu this year Sophie Isbister , Life & Style Editor M lifeandstyle @theotherpress.ca I can't be all about pumpkin spice lattes and falling leaves forever. Autumn will soon depart, and as winter prepares to embrace us in her icy grip, looms over Douglas College students. After all, who wants to get sick when it might mean having to delay an exam or an essay? A poorly timed, nasty your semester, so read on dear reader to find out some ways to avoid getting sick in the first place. Vaxx up! The flu vaccine is available soon, and it’s your first line of defence to avoid a debilitating flu. The flu vaccine is safe and recommended by susceptible to the flu for a few weeks after you get vaccinated, so make sure to get your shot as soon as possible. The vaccine is children, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised. Wash your hands. The : best defence against the cold : and flu viruses is judicious : hand-washing. Scrub with warm : water and soap for 30 seconds, : and do it often. Before eating, : after eating, between classes— : really, whenever you think of it, : and especially after you come : in contact with someone who the threat of cold and flu season has the sniffles. Viruses like the : cold and flu are spread through : touching, but that doesn’t mean : you need to avoid handshakes; : just make sure you're washing bug can really throw a wrench in regularly, or using an alcohol- : based sanitizer if you can’t get to : asink. Wipe it down! Cold and flu : germs can be found on things : you wouldnt’ always think of. : If you carry a cloth purse or : a laptop bag, swap it out for : something leather or vinyl that : you can wipe down occasionally. : medical professionals, and no, it : Sanitize cooking and eating , : 4 : surfaces in your home, as well won't make you sick. You are still : . . : as high-traffic touching areas : like doorknobs, light switches, : and keyboards. This is especially : important after opening your especially important if you work : home up to guests. with vulnerable populations like may be the time of year for : sharing, and Christmas may : have you filled with the giving Don't share. Thanksgiving : spirit, but make sure you're : not picking up more than you : bargained for at the annual staff : party. Avoid swapping bodily : fluids with others; this includes : sharing drinks, sharing food, : and sharing intimate moments : under the mistletoe. Stay home. If you do get : sick, please stay home! If you : must venture out, observe : coughing and sneezing : etiquette: cough into the : crook of your arm and not into : your hand or on other people, : wash your hands even more : frequently than usual, avoid : touching your face and nose, : and dispose of used Kleenex : properly and promptly. If you : have people coming to take care : of you, make sure you (or they) : sanitize the doorknobs and : surfaces in your sick room. In addition to the above : tips, it’s a good idea to keep your : immune system and general : health in tip-top shape during : cold and flu season. Get plenty : of water, enough rest, and : try to avoid stress. If you feel : overwhelmed, don't be afraid : to reach out for help to the : college’s counselling services for : support during this busy and : stressful time of year. theotherpress.ca Beauty on a budget » Be a bombshell without breaking the bank Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer ice new clothes, well- done hair, and makeup can give you a confidence boost that will turn a good day into a great one. However, as a college student ona tight budget, it can be frustrating trying to find money for good looks when you've got rent, food, bills, and tuition to worry about. Fortunately, by following these tips, you can still have beauty without going bankrupt. The first rule of frugal fashion is discount cards: they aren't just for grocery stores anymore! Let’s talk about the Student Price Card. The Student Price Card gives you discounts at many favourite clothing, beauty, and food stores. A majority of these discounts are 10 per cent off your final purchase, and that adds up after a while. This card costs $9, but the savings you'll get will easily pay it off. Another important discount card you should have : is the Sally Beauty Club Card. : Sally Beauty can be found at : several outlet centres, and : offers salon-quality hair dye, : hair products, nail products, : and make-up for a good : price—especially if you opt in : for the $5-Club Card. The card: : gets you even lower prices than : : regular price. As a club card : member, you can also receive : exclusive coupons, discounts, : and special offers! Many : individual retailers have their : own discount cards as well : (such as Sirens and LaSenza), : so ask if your favourite retailer : has one. Learn to bargain shop: : shopping on sale can majorly : cut down on beauty costs. : When you enter a clothing : store, start at the discount : rack, and take a few moment : to peruse the deals. That way, : you can save large amounts : of money, or be able to justify : treating yourself to a $70-jacket : every so often. Learn to love : thrift shopping. A large retailer : : like Value Village or Talize has : tons of lightly used clothing. : If you look carefully, you may The Student Price Card gives you discounts at many favourite clothing, beauty, and food stores find something designer for : as low as $5. Just make sure to : wash the clothes when you get : home. Cheap tricks: if you're : someone who doesn’t mind : cutting their own hair, here’s a : substitute for expensive salon : scissors: a pair of sharp Fiskars : scissors. They function all the : same at a quarter of the price. : Just make sure you designate : them for hair only. When : shaving, instead of spending : money on shaving cream, use : some frothy soap instead. As : well, body lotion works as an : aftershave. There you have it: being : beauty-conscious on a budget : isn’t as hard as it would seem. : Stay fabulous!