As summer approaches, I feel the need to write this article about treating our bodies with care. Our bodies are our machines; while meant to last, they still need to be properly fueled and oiled to not only run each and every day, but to prevent future damage. This means that, as college kids, we need to start taking care of our bodies right. With many of us home, working a summer job, or holding down a summer internship, there's plenty of time for us to start of the summer on the right food. And who knows, maybe these habits will carry through to the school year! Let's take a look at what we can do this summer to boost our bodies and feel great about ourselves.

1. Wear sunscreen!

While it might look "cool" to be tanner than all of our friends right now, in the long run, we'll be wrinkled at 35, and look more like 60. Now that's not cool.

2. Sleep right.

It is so tempting to stay up every night until 2:00 am and wake up the next day at noon. However, in the long run, this type of sleep schedule only hurts. It will be a much harder habit to break come August, let alone if there's a family vacation in July that requires *normal* sleeping hours. Keep it consistent, and make the most of the daytime; there's no point in staying inside until 3:00 pm every day – it's summer, live it up!

3. Reflect.

Whether it's by sitting outside on the rocks by the fresh sea air and simply being, or by journaling in our favorite hammocks, the power of thinking shouldn't be overlooked. Our mental health is directly correlated to our physical health. It is only by taking the time to stop and think that we are truly able to evaluate everything going on around us.

4. Make time for exercise.

I cannot stress this enough. Exercise strengthens not only our bodies, but our minds. It doesn't have to be a full body pump, either. Things like taking the time to go for a beach walk with the dog or to skateboard around the neighborhood are easily overlooked forms of light exercise. And don't be afraid to set goals! Running once won't turn you into a marathon star, but keep at it, and soon you'll be running two miles without stopping.

5. Eat healthly (enough) and drink water.

Rumor has it that to really be eating a "clean" diet, we should eat 90% healthy and just 10% unhealthy. Now, I'm not saying that this is realistic for many of us, as we all have lives, things to do, places to be, and it's not always that easy. But if you're anything like me and like to munch, make simple changes. For example, substitute that giant bowl of microwaveable buttered popcorn for a bowl of air-popped popcorn with a tablespoon or two of real butter. Or take an apple to work as a snack instead of a bag of chips. No one's perfect, and it's taken me a long time to realize that these small changes make a difference in the way my body runs. Oh, and if you're going to have a cheat day, don't skimp out!

Hopefully, these tips will help you keep your body running smoothly this summer and get you into good habits going forward. We're all real people living in a real world, but by making small changes to our lifestyles, our body and mind reap the benefits.