I’m a bit of a self-proclaimed medical geek; as an occupational therapy major/nutrition minor, it’s a given. So here I present to you some helpful things to remember during this finals week and the entirety of the year.
After taking an antibiotic…Eat yogurt or take a probiotic. Antibiotics like amoxicillin don’t just kill the bad bacteria, they kill the good bacteria that your body needs! To restore good bacteria after a week on an antibiotic, eat lots of yogurt, which naturally has good bacteria in it. Not a fan of yogurt? You can purchase a probiotic supplement, like PB8.
Vitamins are your friendsIt may be hard to get adequate nutrition with our busy daily regimens. That’s why vitamins are great for college kids; quick and easy. There are specific vitamins that target certain areas, for example· Vitamin C: Immunity. Take this when you are feeling under the weather· Vitamin B: Energy. *(ALSO, take after a night of drinking! You will wake up feeling wonderful.)· Biotin: Ladies love this. It’s a specific B vitamin that promotes strong nails, shiny hair and glowing skin.· Melatonin: Skip the Nyquil and go for the natural option. Melatonin is not so much a vitamin but a sleep supplement; it’s a natural chemical released in our brains that make us feel tired. Take this every so often on nights you need to get to sleep at a reasonable hour.
UTI prone? Cranberry.UTI’s are very pesky and quite common. If you feel one starting, drink a ton of cranberry juice (no, not cranberry cocktail) or better yet, take a cranberry supplement. Cranberry has antibacterial properties that never cease to amaze.
Pink Eye reliefIf you ever so happen to come in contact with this irritating virus, it helps immensely to place hot compresses on your eye. Get a clean washcloth, run it under hot water, add a dab of Johnson’s baby shampoo (strange I know, but it works somehow) and press onto a closed eye.
Salt-water rinsesExperiencing mouth woes? Warm salt-water rinses can help that. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Swish and gargle this mixture to help canker sores, a sore throat, and especially after wisdom teeth removal.
Getting your wisdom teeth out? Pineapple.Pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory due to its high concentration of bromelain, a protein in the pineapple stem. Before your wisdom teeth extraction, eat lots of pineapple for a few days or take a bromelain supplement and that will stop the chipmunk cheeks.
The benefits of coconut oilCoconut oil is the greatest thing to grace this planet. You can use it as a body lotion, hair mask, or to cook with as a butter or oil replacement.
My version of a coconut oil hair mask: Add desired amount into your hand, (if your house is below 76 degrees, it will be a solid) rub hands together to melt it, and run it through your hair. I like to put it up in a loose bun and tie a plastic bag around my hair (pretty, I know) and leave it in for 15 minutes. Then wash your hair, style as normal, and voila! It will feel so soft and silky.
Sleep is so importantYour mother wasn’t lying. Yes, coffee helps, but won’t give you back those three extra hours you probably needed. (I’m guilty of this too.) Try your best to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and I promise your immune system will thank you.
A few foodie tipsUnhealthy food is my kryptonite, but I have found a few ways to keep the snacking on the healthier side.· Be a smart food shopper. Keep only healthy snacks in your dorm/kitchen. Don’t buy anything that will cause temptation. If you have a bag cheese doodles in your cabinet, chances are you will eat them.· Take the healthier option. Go for the wheat bread over white. Chose dark chocolate over milk. Seltzer mixed with 100% juice over soda. You’ll find it’s easy to cut the crap out!· Read nutrition labels. It’s shocking to see what’s in some of the food we eat. The food may claim low calorie but be high in fat or vice versa. Also, read the ingredients. I like to stress that if you can’t pronounce more than a couple ingredients, don’t buy/eat it.
In the end, always do what feels best for your body :)