How Your Handbag can Help Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy college student. What an oxymoron, right? A lot of times, students tend to take on more than they can handle. I’m one of those people. Some call me crazy; I call it ambition.

Last year I spent my days being a full-time student, my mornings and afternoons doing before and after school care at an elementary school, my nights and weekends waitressing and the in between times being an editor for my school paper.

With that much going on, sometimes it’s easy to forget to eat right or forget to work out.  And that’s the story for many. I can empathize with those who have busy schedules and so I’m going to share a little secret I have learned. A large handbag can help you live healthy if you just know what to put into it. So here’s a list of things to put into your handbag to help steer you toward a healthier lifestyle.

• Water: Staying hydrated is very important. Your body consists of 70% water and your brain is 90% water so you see the importance. It helps you detox and boosts energy levels, immune system and mental sharpness. I recommend carrying a reusable bottle so you can fill it up to have water all day long and it’s the green thing to do.
• Snacks: Have you ever been in too much of a hurry to eat breakfast? Or forgot to pack a lunch? I’ve been there. However, keeping light snacks in your handbag is definitely handy in such a situation. Even if you don’t forget a meal, light healthy snacking throughout the day is a good thing. Going long amounts of time without eating can lead to loss of energy, tiredness, blurred vision and more. Be sure to pack healthy snacks: granola bars, apples or rice cakes. Healthy snacking throughout the day will also help eliminate excess eating at main meals.
• Planner: Keep a planner, plain and simple. Put your to-do lists in here. Schedule a time to work out and stick to it. Also, schedule the important things, such as doctor’s appointments. Being able to plan your day helps manage time, which is a valuable skill to anyone at any point in his or her life.
• Vitamins: Of course be sure to have any medicines you take daily or might need at some time with you at all times, but also stock up on your vitamins. Having them in your handbag will help you not forget to take them. Find a multivitamin that is right for you. I also stock up on Vitamin C and Echinacea for when I start to feel sick – I recommend this.
• Sunscreen: Protect yourself from ultraviolet rays. Don’t forget your sunscreen, SPF lip balm and sunglasses. You never know when you’ll need them.
• First Aid Kit: This one is self-explanatory.
• Book: Reading not only helps you gain knowledge and boost your vocabulary, but it lowers stress levels and exercises your mind. Your brain is an important muscle and as they say: use it or lose it!
• Hand sanitizer: It’s never a bad idea to carry hand sanitizer and wet wipes! Give your immune system a hand.

Those are just some of the things I hang on to in my handbag to live a healthier life. I’m busy again this summer. This time I’m taking summer classes, waitressing and spending my days working at Handbag Heaven. Handbag Heaven gives me the opportunity to stock up on more handbags that I can fill with my healthy lifestyle essentials. So who ever said having a million handbags isn’t beneficial, hmm?