Soon enough, it’ll be time to head back to school ― which, as a college student, means time to pack up your life and move into a shockingly tiny dorm room.
Gathering all of your favorite items (like your poster of Beyonce) along with your many essentials (think: toiletries, chargers, backpack) can be a daunting task. What if all of the belongings you want to bring don’t actually fit in your room? Those seemingly non-negotiable items at home can quickly end up wasting precious space at your dorm.
Since you’ll probably end up sharing most things with your roommate anyway, it’s safe to say that you don’t need to bring along a hairdryer, hair straightener, and curling iron. But what about the items that will not only make your life at college easier, but also healthier?
Leading a holistic lifestyle at college is entirely possible. After all, developing sustainable habits and making healthy choices starts and ends with you. To set yourself up for success, we’ve put together a list of five holistic items that ― just by bringing them along ― will make your life at college healthier and more organic. (You can thank us later!)
1. Non-toxic laundry detergent
You may think buying a “free and gentle” laundry detergent means it’s a healthy choice. Unfortunately, detergent brands are infamous for greenwashing. In addition to irritating your skin, many detergents contain harmful toxins that can be quite hazardous to your health over the long term. Packing a laundry detergent that’s made with natural ingredients is a back-to-college essential. The less chemicals and dyes, the more gentle it’ll be on your skin – and on the planet!
2. Glass food storage containers
By now, you’ve seen all of the containers and water bottles with “BPA-free” labels. While this distinction is theoretically healthier for your body, some studies suggest that BPA-free containers are actually harmful, especially when being used to heat food. It’s therefore better to use glass containers to store your food at college. As a much safer alternative to plastic, glass containers made in the U.S. are more likely to be free from dangerous toxins and chemicals.
3. Organic mattress topper
One of the downfalls of college life is sleeping on a mattress that’s been broken in by plenty of other students before you. If you aren’t able to bring your own mattress along, a holistic alternative for a healthier sleep is an organic mattress topper. Our Happsy Organic Mattress Topper is a great option for added comfort and a pillow-top feel, without all those harmful chemicals found in cheap bedding brands. You’ll not only feel like you’re sleeping on air – you’ll also get an overall healthier night’s sleep, which is critical for acing those college classes.
4. Antimicrobial humidifier
An often-overlooked factor in daily life that can affect your health is the air you breathe. Taking in healthier air while sleeping in your dorm room can alleviate dryness, soothe sinuses, halt the spread of germs, ease cold or flu-like symptoms, and even reduce snoring! Make your dorm-room air instantly healthier and more breathable by simply turning on your humidifier overnight and forgetting about it – it’s that easy!
5. Organic hygiene products
Our bodies absorb 60 percent of the hygiene products we use, including things like moisturizer, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream – the list goes on. To make life easier at college, bring along as many organic hygiene products as you can from the start. Avoiding parabens and other chemicals typically found in conventional beauty items is key. Use natural products that will allow your body to properly detox and minimize the health risks that are otherwise posed by toxins.
Packing for college doesn’t have to be comparable to climbing Everest.
By prioritizing a packing list that contains these holistic staples, you won’t have to worry about half the harmful toxins you’d otherwise be exposed to. With these items around your dorm, you’ll be one step closer to leading a healthy, organic lifestyle in college.