It's that time of year again- back to school for students of all ages. And back to school means more stress, less sleep and less energy, particularly for students getting started at colleges around the country. College students face a host of new lifestyle challenges that can compromise their health. To help them start the year off right, we have a few suggestions for their first "Care Package"- starting with the basics: eat right, exercise and manage stress.

1. Eat Right!
   1. Often, the first years at college can lead to substantial weight gain due to the foods that are served at most cafeterias and the overeating that can often come with the stress of college life. The best way to combat this is to make the right food choices both on and off campus. Easier said than done, so to make sure the basics are covered, include a multivitamin like Daily 3 in the morning routine, every day. This is the insurance needed to help stay on track.
   2. To help support digestion (particularly with the increased intake of pizza!), Super Lactobacillus Probiotics and GestHealth are a great options to keep gas and bloating under control.
   3. If weight gain becomes an issue, increasing exercise is the best way to offset increased calories. In addition, Cortifit and Phase 2™ Starch Blocker can help support a reduced calorie diet and exercise program.

2. Exercise!
   Exercise can help combat a wide range of challenges, from weight gain to energy to depression. Experts recommend targeting 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each day. Walking to classes, using the on campus fitness center, and biking can easily add up to this 30 minute exercise requirement.

3. Energize!
   Instead of reaching for that cup of coffee, consider a cup of green tea instead. In addition to the energizing effect, green tea has a significant amount of polyphenols and other antioxidants to help boost immunity. Some studies also indicate that green tea has a thermagenic effect in the body, so it may help to burn more calories! Our Green Tea Extract is a convenient way to get all of these benefits in an easy-to-swallow tablet.

4. Reduce Stress!
   1. College can trigger a number of stress responses in the body. To help offset these, exercise (again!) is a great solution. Exercise helps to offset the release of cortisol in the body which is often a byproduct of stress.
   2. In addition, Vitamin B can help reduce homocysteine which is produced as a result of stress and can lead to health challenges down the road.
   3. RelaxiHealth and Kava Kava are great options to help relax the body and the mind.
   4. Stress can also lead to sleep difficulties, which can compound stress and overeating as well. Valerian is a natural way to help combat these sleep challenges and stay focused and alert during classes.

5. Get Smart!
   Can vitamins make you smarter? Well, we can't say for sure, but ingredients like Gingko Biloba have been used for centuries to improve memory and overall cognitive function. Our Clarify contains not only Gingko Biloba but also phosphatidyl serine, lecithin, choline and Siberian Ginseng to maximize overall mental function.

We can't guarantee that following these tips will generate a 4.0 GPA this year for your collegiate bound teens, but it will earn them an A+ in healthy living and longevity!