Health & Wellness. [Entry #3]

[Point One.]
I don't really consider what I do to stay healthy, something that I do to stay healthy. It's just my way of not being stupid.
I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't do drugs.
I never have, and don't plan to.
Beyond that I just try not to let things get to me.
I mentioned in my "ME box" presentation how I've lost over nine friends in the last four years and don't cry over it. I don't lie in saying that I've become a rather callous person through this, but I have no real way of coping with it. I think about each of them every day at least once, and scold myself if I fail at naming them off. I refuse to let myself forget any of them. There's periods of time where I get more upset by it, either approaching an anniversary mark of their death or their birthday. I've found that trying to keep my mind busy during these times is best. I was pretty thoroughly depressed the first two years of these back to back events, which in turn made me sick a lot, despite my excessive sleeping habits, and a fairly bitter person. I've learned better now.
Hugs are the best form of stress relief, and I abuse them.
As far as diet health goes, I abuse my metabolism.
I know my metabolism is going to slow down by taking a glance around my family tree. For the next three years or so however, I have reason to believe I'll hang on to it. My favorite foods are between cheeseburgers and subs. Few people on this campus haven't heard about my Dr. Pepper addiction. I do enjoy a good salad though, and I'll drink water if I feel I'm getting dehydrated, but I could afford to do better.
My best exercise method beyond taking the stairs instead of the elevator (if my knee's not flaring up) is fidgeting and laughing... a lot.
Google it. It works.
Watch me during class one day.
I'm fingering through a piece. I'm switching positions in my seat. I'm tapping my foot to a song you can't hear. I'm tapping my pencil. I'm taking my pencil apart. I'm putting it together again. I'm writing. I'm drawing treble clefs.
Granted, it helps that I'm ADD, but it works.
[Link On Laughing]
[Link On Fidgeting]

[Point Two.]
No one in my immediate family drinks.
This is how I was raised.
I heard stories about friends who would get drunk. I heard stories about friends who babysat their drunk parents.
I didn't realize I'd be dating one of these friends for two years. My first boyfriend, Andrew, didn't drink. His dad did. I never saw his father without a beer in hand. There was a night or two where he ended up sleeping on our couch because my family wasn't about to let him close an eye in his own house for fear of his father. His dad never abused him, drunk or sober. But he was sickeningly irresponsible, spending all his money on weekends partying as if he was 21(not 42) instead of providing for his family. He could easily strike fear into the hearts of anyone, young or old.
I have a handful of stories to tell from Andrew's family, to others, but this is not the place for that.
I'm hearing stories of alcohol poisoning, horrible judgment, and veritable plethora of things that easily turn me off to drinking. Others aren't as easily discouraged. There's debates with several of my friends going on right now where I'm trying to keep them from getting into alcohol, or deeper anyway.
They're all out for "the real college experience."
They're thinking "I love College" college experience. I'm thinking, "make the grade, learn, make real friends" college experience. I guess I'm weird.