After a long and exhausting school year, the summer is anticipated by nearly every college student. While taking advantage of long hours spent lounging by the pool, or just doing whatever you want, keep in mind these healthy tips that will make your summer more fun and help you look and feel your best when you go back to school.

Eat Healthier

It can be difficult to eat healthy during the school year, so all the hours you’ll have this summer and the access to making your own meals at home can make it easier. The summer is when a lot of fruit and vegetables come into season and it’s likely your town has a farmer’s market that you can attend to get produce. Farmer’s markets are great places to get fresh, local produce and can often be cheaper with higher quality products. Find somewhere in your area and try to go at least once a week to get your fresh servings of fruits and veggies.

Start That Exercise Plan

All year you’ve been saying that you would work out, but something always got in the way. Try to take advantage of summer by exercising. No, you don’t need to buy a gym membership, as there are plenty of free and fun ways to exercise. Go outside for a walk, play a game or watch a video on Youtube. These are all fun, free and easy ways to get fit.

Stay Cool

Heat can be hard on your body so make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinking sugary drinks and alcohol, which dehydrate you quicker and have more calories. Bring a towel and water if you’ll be working outside and drink water while out at the pool. If you get too hot, go inside with air conditioning and rest until your body temperature lowers. Prolonged exposure to heat can make you sick, dehydrated and irritable.

Wear Sunscreen

If you’re going outside you should be wearing sunscreen. Sunburns can be very painful and exposure to the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. You can buy sunscreens with tanning bronzer if you’re worried about your sunscreen killing your tan, but keep in mind that the notion that sunscreen blocks a tan is not true. Wearing sunscreen simply protects your skin against harmful UV rays but won’t keep you from getting your summer tan.

Quit an Unhealthy Habit and Make a New One

They say it takes 90 days to break a bad habit, so summer is perfect to try breaking a habit you know you should. It takes way less time to form a habit, so switch out a bad habit for a new one. Whether it’s exercising daily, reading every day or doing a facemask weekly, make a new habit. Quit whatever your old vice is, and do something better.

Summer offers you the time to relax you mind and body after a busy semester. Take advantage of all that you can to start taking care of yourself a little better. You might form better habits to take with you into the new school year and better yourself for the future.

Antibiotic resistance continues to rise globally. In response, the medical community has sought to find solutions to the ever increasing number of “superbugs” – or various species of bacteria that are resistant to broad spectrum antibiotics. In an effort to combat the issues researchers are beginning to look for answers to antibiotic resistance in some unlikely places – like fish, algae and the bacteria that live on insects.

Recently, scientists from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, and Boston University in Massachusetts investigated the potential power of blue light. They recently published their findings in the journal Advanced Science.

One of the most well known resistant forms of bacteria is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. These infections are common in individuals who have open sores or cuts. Scientists have found that S. aureus contains a golden pigment called staphyloxanthin that protects it against neutrophils – a type of white blood cell that plays a pivotal role in the fight against pathogens. A process called photobleaching can reduce levels of this pigment. This weakens the bacterium’s membrane, which makes it easier to kill – limiting the amount of damage that the bacteria can cause.

After the photobleaching process the bacterium was then able to be destroyed with mild antiseptic agents such as hydrogen peroxide. The team of researchers has developed a patented light tool. The idea is that it would take the form of a small box with a light in it, which shines through a hole onto the wound.

Importantly, the light has been found to be safe on mammalian cells. However, even though the research is promising, extensive human trials will need to be conducted in order to determine the efficacy of the research in humans.

The Medicare For All Bill was recently introduced into the House. Nearly four years since Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pushed for universal Medicare, House Democrats have formulated their own bill. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., introduced the bill this last week.

The Jayapal Bill would ban employers from offering their own private plans. It also include coverage for long term home nursing and abortion care. Pre-existing Medicare and Medicaid enrollees would be transitioned onto the new plan. The bill, however, would keep the Veterans Health Administration and the Indian Health Service intact – beneficiaries enrolled in these programs would be allowed to keep their current coverage or opt for the Medicare For All plan.

Medicare For All would improve the economy by allowing people to retain money. It would also cover long term care, which is significant with the growing number of baby boomers in the nation.

As Americans face steadily increasing drug prices, high premiums, medical debt and pricey procedures, a new healthcare bill may be just what those individuals need.

By providing healthcare coverage to all Americans, the individuals that suffer from preventative diseases could receive education and medication compliance would also improve. Americans that live in socioeconomic and geographic areas of poverty would finally be able to receive healthcare and it would drastically reduce health disparities in the U.S.

However, there are still many questions about the bill that have been left open, such as what precisely would be covered, what doctors would be paid and how the program would be financed.

The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other developed nation. Jayapal’s Medicare For All plan would also cost far more than most of the single payer systems in other nations across the world. This most likely means a steep increase in taxes, although this is not notated anywhere in the bill. Generally, Medicare For All would provide “comprehensive benefits,” accounting for health care needs as “medically necessary or appropriate.” That means covering hospital and doctor visits, but also, for instance, mental health, maternity services, addiction treatment, pediatrics and medications.

“The legislation also spells out steps for determining how to pay doctors — a tricky issue, since doctors often complain that traditional Medicare pays them less than does private insurance. But the bill doesn’t set up a reimbursement system,” said Shefali Luthra.

Ultimately, the Medicare For All bill could drastically reduce health disparities and revolutionize the way that Americans receive and view healthcare. However, it’s a feat that may be unrealistic for the privatized healthcare system of the United States – only time will tell.

In college, it can be hard to take care of yourself at times. With constant papers, tests and homework, one might be liable to shirk some self-care regimens, which can result in a lot of harm to our skin. If you find your skin to suddenly be worse when you step foot on campus, I’ve got some easy, cheap and healthy tips to keep your skin happy – and it might save you some time, too!

1. Drink some water

Drink more water. You don’t need to drink a full gallon a day, but you should try to at least have a glass every morning. Not only does water intake keep your skin hydrated, it also has health benefits like benefiting your organs, digestive health and general good feelings. I’m really bad about drinking water, so I suggest trying a sugar-free flavoring to add to a bottle so you can sip without thinking about it.

2. Stop using harsh sulfates on your skin

Your soaps really don’t need to have harsh sulfates in them to get you clean.

Sulfates break down lipids and oils, so when you put them on your face, you’re basically stripping off the first layer of skin. The more you strip your skin, the more likely you are to break out because you’re depriving your skin of needed oils and nutrients. Sulfates aren’t really bad for your health, but people with sensitive skin will experience bad effects of the chemicals. I suggest using an all natural bar soap.

My twice a day facial routine is as follows: I wash my face using an oats and goats milk face bar, wipe my face with a salicylic acid toner to clear pores and then use an organic marula oil based face cream.

Within a week, I can tell my skin is more hydrated – which surprisingly means less oily – and looks smoother.

I get both my face bar and the face cream from Bittersweet Apothecary here on the Liberty Square, and the products are affordable and last me months. I do use Clinique brand toner, mainly because it has a fairly low salicylic acid concentration and is good for sensitive skin. Reminder: bar soaps when kept too moist can grow bacteria, which is gross, so keep your soap on the sink with a pored soap dish to let it air dry after use.

3. Use a moisturizer

You should seriously be moisturizing your face. Everyday, twice a day. Maybe more if you’re feeling it, honestly. Use a moisturizer free of parabens and chemicals, and get it as organic as you can. You shouldn’t feel greasy after using it – I recommend using something olive oil or marula oil based. It may not always smell great, but most things that smell great that you’re putting on your face contain a lot of chemicals. My face cream is $14, and lasts me between three and four months.

4. Take vitamins containing Vitamin E

Everyone knows that most vitamins are a bit of scam, considering most of them come out in urine as waste, but vitamins containing Vitamin E, biotin and collagen are super healthy for your skin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant found in most plant-based fats – including peanut butter and avocado – and if you’re on a diet skimping on fats you’re hurting your skin more than you’re hurting your waistline. Technically, you don’t need to take a Vitamin E supplement, but if you aren’t eating enough veggies, it can’t hurt.

Biotin and collagen are another couple skin-happy vitamins, but since they’re contained largely in the liver and animal tissues – especially biotin – – unless you’re eating organ meat, you’re probably missing out on these. I recommend taking a hair, skin, and nails vitamin, which are easy to take, and fairly inexpensive if bought in bulk. Not only will your skin thank you, but you should see differences in your hair length and nail healthiness.

5. Stop buying super cheap foundation

This is the only time I will recommend not hunting for a bargain. If you wear makeup, stop buying super cheap foundation. I know it can be easy to just pick up a cheap drugstore alternative, but a lot of cheap foundations contain a ton of oils, chemicals and pore-clogging materials. They also, in my experience, don’t last as long. I currently use a Dior foundation I bought for $65 at Sephora during my senior year of high school for prom, and there’s still plenty left in the bottle. It’s been two years, people.

This foundation doesn’t break my face out, isn’t oil based, and a little goes a long way, obviously. Another good, and cheaper, option is Clinique foundation. You can buy this in a foundation-concealer combo that is moderate coverage, oil-free and moderately priced. This also lasts about two years, which is great. And hey, you honestly don’t need foundation if you take care of your skin.

6. WASH YOUR SHEETS AND TOWELS REGULARLY

This tip is capitalized because it can pretty easy to forget to do both of these things.

If you’re not washing your sheets and towels regularly, or at least switching them out, you’re getting oils, soapy build-up and bacteria all up in them. If you put your body in them, wash them. I wash my sheets every other week, and switch out towels every week. Trust me, your skin and body will thank you.

7. You don’t need makeup

Listen, you don’t need makeup. You really don’t. I like makeup, and wear it for no one other than me – and it’s great to love makeup – but you don’t need to feel pressure to cover yourself up every day if you don’t want to.

Taking steps to healthier skin will help relieve some of those little insecurities we all feel, but odds are, most people won’t even notice if you have a breakout. Trying for clear skin just means you’re taking care of the body you live in and love, and that doesn’t mean you’re insecure. If you do wear makeup, make sure you’re taking it off before sleeping, especially foundation, so you don’t clog your pores.

Hopefully some of these little tips can help when you’re having a stress-breakout, a random breakout or just feel like giving your skin a little TLC!