Back to the Basics

Just mention an ailment and odds are there is a pill you can take to make your problem disappear, at least that is the illusion pharmaceutical companies want us to have. But when we take these pills what are we really doing to our bodies? We aren't fixing the problem, we are just covering its effects.

Don't get me wrong, modern medicine has proven wonders and when the discomfort becomes unbearable you can find me taking the medication I need, but we really need to think about what we are putting into our bodies and its effects. When you think about it, healing naturally is a very simple concept. We are all natural beings, so there must be natural ways of healing. When your body is aching it is sending you signals so you can fix the problem from the source. Then you will not be spending hundreds of dollars a year putting drugs in your body, you will not have the problem to begin with. This will keep you feeling better, looking better, and saving money. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

So, why are college students, and many others for that matter, taking so many pills? Are we becoming a pill popping and pharmaceutically dependent society? We definitely will if we continue on this path. Our bodies have natural ways of fighting ailments that when not in use will slowly be lost through generations and may pose serious problems for our future. This, of course, does not affect us in a large, obvious way currently, it is definitely obvious in the way our bodies feel and look.

As a person who regularly ate fast food this time last year, I can attest to this. By switching to a healthier diet (and I stress healthier not healthy) I have lost weight, feel better mentally and physically, and can barely eat half of a fast food meal. It really is a beautiful thing, taking yourself off of fast food will likely cause you to no longer even desire it, creating the perfect dynamic of saving money and being healthier. Trust me, it is definitely worth it.

Switching to a healthier lifestyle is very simple but my number one recommendation is that you take the process slowly, or at least at a pace you're comfortable with. Changing one's entire lifestyle in a day is nearly impossible and takes large amounts of discipline. The way I recommend transitioning is to take it one step at a time. Tomorrow start taking multivitamins (to supplement the ones you are probably low on). The next day begin your exercise routine, the next time you go grocery shopping put an imaginary line down your cart and try to only put fresh, healthy food on one half. There are many quick and easy ways to begin the change. Switching to a healthy lifestyle is an important thing for you to do for yourself. Take care of your body, you only have one.