During the first few weeks of the New Year, everyone has resolutions that they think they will keep. Most of the time, these resolutions slip through the cracks, and that leads to some very unhappy people by the end of the year. I've never been one to make resolutions because of that very reason, but this year, I've decided to change that. My biggest and most important resolution for this year (and every year afterwards) is to take better care of myself. If this is a resolution that you find you might want to have as well, sit down and buckle up, because I have 11 awesome ways to take care of yourself this year.
1. Inspire yourself with quotes.
When life gets tough, I like to browse the internet for inspirational quotes -- my roommate and I covered our door in quotes written on paint chips, in fact, just to keep us smiling and inspired. The quotes can be deep and truly inspirational, like the above quote, or they can be cute and funny quotes like "when life gives you lemons, bite into them and make a funny face." Having quotes that speak to you posted somewhere you can see them (on mirrors, doors, etc.) helps boost your mood.
2. Eat healthy!
I know, I know, eating healthy is on practically everyone's "resolutions list" -- but in all honesty, we should be eating better. Especially in college! While college kids might not have the ability to make their own meals, we can certainly try to snack healthier, at least. There are dozens upon dozens of great, easy recipes for healthy snacks, most of them tend to be common sense (like spreading peanut butter on an apple!), and they are delicious!
3. Stretch -- in the morning, before bed, whenever!
Lots of people stretch in the morning, but it's not in the way that I'm talking about -- putting your hands above your head as you yawn is not the best way to stretch. Lots of people tend to think that stretching is something you do only when you exercise, but that's not the case. No matter your level of physical activity, you should be stretching. It's a great idea to stretch your body out before you get ready for the day, because it helps wake up your body. This article has a great list of eight stretches to do in the morning, and you can even do some of these at night if you want!
4. Plan out your day, week, month, etc.
I always get a planner and a calendar for each school year, and they help me keep track of my assignments, important events, and appointments. If you aren't into having a physical planner, use your calendar on your phone, and if you have an iPhone, use the Reminders app to keep track of your "to dos."
5. Take breaks (but not too many!)
Whether you're working full time or in school, times get stressful and you tend to forget to take a break. I know because I do the same thing quite often. It's super important to take a break, even if it's just five or ten minutes of sitting on your phone to reward yourself for reading two chapters of your textbook. Just be careful not to let that ten minute break turn into an hour long break!
6. Do what makes you happy.
Kind of in line with taking breaks, make sure you do what makes you happy. For me, I love writing, so one of my resolutions (that also counts towards taking care of myself) is to write more. Whether I'm writing about my day in my journal, writing an article for the Odyssey, or writing the new zombie novel that my boyfriend and I came up with, I want to write more. It's a great way to relax, and it allows me to express myself in ways I can't otherwise. Take some time out of your day to do one thing that makes you happy.
7. Sleep!
What ever happened to the days of nap time? Those days were the best. In college, we can return to those days. If you live on campus and have a few hours in between classes, head back to your dorm and catch up on your zzz's! Power naps (anywhere from ten to thirty minutes long) are great because they are short but helpful. Try not to take naps longer than an hour, because then you'll be slightly groggy (I should know, it happens to me all the time). And if napping isn't your style, try going to bed earlier!
8. Treat yo'self.
Sometimes, you just need to splurge a little bit. Go on, you deserve it. You've been doing so well; have that ice cream, order that new Funko Pop, go see that movie! Treat. Yo. Self. (Although, it's a good idea to set a limit so you don't go broke while you treat yo'self.)
9. Hydrate more!
All throughout our lives, we've heard that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day; while a lot of people don't do that, it's still a great idea to drink as much water as possible. Water hydrates your skin and body, and it flushes out toxins (that's why you should drink a lot of water when you're sick). While it's kind of gross, you can tell how hydrated (or dehydrated) you are by the color of your urine. The darker the color, the more dehydrated you are. Substitute that glass of Coke you have with dinner for a glass of water, and you'll see a difference over time.
10. Interact with your friends.
Your friends (and family) are some of the best support that you can get. Talk to your friends about the good things and the bad (but if things are really bad, please go see a professional). Join clubs that interest you, make plans to hang out with your friends on campus, and when you're home for break, make plans with your friends at home. It's even a good idea to hang out with your parents and siblings -- after all, they are your family!
11. Exercise!
Lots of people make the resolution to exercise more during the year, but they don't typically stick with it. Exercising is a great way to promote mental and physical health. Lots of colleges have on campus gyms, and if you don't go to school, there are lots of great gyms that are at low cost (Planet Fitness costs $10 a month). Even if you don't want to go to the gym, you can do some exercises while you watch TV instead of just sitting on the couch.
