"You are what you eat" is correct since your overall health begins in the gut. Achieving the perfect balanced diet was never easy as a broke college student but always looking for the healthier option has made a big difference in the way I feel. Supplementing with a good multivitamin, probiotics, and fish oil is an excellent way to make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs. I personally always feel a lot better and get sick less often when I am taking those supplements.
Some people believe that exercise is strictly for physical appearance. However, the truth is that mental health is also something that will produce benefits. It is scientifically proven that exercise will lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Exercise also improves confidence as people tend to feel better about themselves when being on a steady fitness routine.
Meditation does not get the attention it deserves. Even I used to be skeptical and see this as one of those "hippy" activities. However, once again, I saw that successful people meditate and I had to give it a try. I downloaded an app called "Headspace," and after my first 10-minute session, I felt a big difference. My mind was clear, and I was relaxed. Meditation is proven to help with focus, lower depression, anxiety, and more. Life is a lot better when the mind is not clouded with unwanted thoughts.
When I started reading, I felt that my life was improving at a faster rate than ever before. I have personally always liked business and self-improvement books because I saw them as guides to life. Every book I read made me approach aspects of life a little differently than I did before. I learned to understand people a lot better, and my relationships dramatically improved. I give credit to a lot of these books for landing me leadership positions at UNT and having a more definite direction in life.
Lastly, I want to mention how having a few creative passions has made life a lot more bearable. Playing guitar is something I have loved since middle school, and my guitar was always there for me. More recently, I have begun photography, which has been a great skill to have. It has also connected me to a lot of wonderful people in the DFW area. Whenever I am playing guitar or taking photos, I am in my own world and all of the stresses that I could be having disappear for that moment, which is beautiful.