The human body is truly an amazing thing that many college students take advantage of. I like to think even the dreamy John Mayer knows how amazing our bodies really are because of his song, "Your Body Is A Wonderland." With constant cheap food and late nights out, we treat our bodies like they're invincible.
Ask any student and almost all of them will refer to a material object as their most prized possession, not their body. Our bodies should be treated like a temple, as it is priceless and the only thing we have that will last us a lifetime.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a difficult task to keep your body healthy. There are minor changes that you can incorporate into your daily routine that will make all the difference in the world.
One simple change you can make is adding lemon to your water. It not only adds zesty flavor to the sometimes boring taste of water, but is extremely beneficial. Lemon is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which benefits the immune system; it releases toxins in your body; it dissolves uric acid, reducing inflammation and pain in joints; it contains potassium, which nourishes the brain, and it replenishes skin and helps prevent wrinkles and acne.
Lemon seems as if it were made especially for the average college student. Everyone from U of A to Columbia could benefit from the list above.
Another minor thing to add to your diet is coconut water or coconut milk. Coconut is known to be the ultimate hangover cure, which every college student will experience sooner or later. Coconut is extremely beneficial for the human brain, lowers risk of heart disease, and increases your everyday energy. It also reminds many people of being on the beach somewhere tropical, so why not dream about spring break and drink it, too?
Of course, at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day would have your body bowing down to you. As you all know, there are 24 hours in a day. Thirty minutes a day would mean that the fraction of time spent working out would be only 1/48. There is plenty of time to do whatever else you want to do during your day, but give that small fraction of time to your precious body. Physical activity can help you in the following ways:
- Improves your mood and allows you to relieve stress, making you happier.
- Boosts your energy. It fuels your brain with oxygen and actually makes you smarter.
- Increases confidence. Seeing personal improvements positively changes the way you see yourself.
- Promotes better sleep; it helps deepen your sleep which is important.
- Prevents major health risks. It keeps heart disease, and even Alzheimer's, at bay.
Grab a friend and find a physical activity you enjoy. This will make it fun and keep you motivated!
These three things -- lemon water, coconut water or milk, and exercise -- are extremely easy ways to thank your body for all that it does for you, day in and day out. Our bodies are superheroes, so treat them like it.
