It's officially fall, and we're getting into that time of year when things get a little crazy. The holiday season is drawing near, the work load is picking up, and people are becoming busier by the minute. In this chaos, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself, so here are a few ways to make sure you're helping yourself out.

1. Try Not To Procrastinate

I usually laugh when people say this to me, because procrastinating is one of the few things I could probably win a medal in. Doing work is hard; saying you'll do it later is much easier. But while it might be nice to take a break, waiting too long to do something will set you up for more stress later on. This is not new information, but it needs to be said. Do yourself a favor and set aside time to take care of business, even if you don't "feel like it."

2. Eat Things That Are Good For You

Again, this is not ground-breaking news. Foods that are good for you make you feel better in the long run. It's easy to say "I deserve this bowl of ice cream" and "I'll eat better tomorrow," but pretty soon it's three weeks later and you can't remember the last time you ate a real vegetable. I totally understand that sometimes the only option is the McDonald's value menu, but choosing healthier options when you can will help your body get the nutrition it really needs.

3. Wake Up Earlier Than You Need To

I know, I know, this sounds like insanity. I'm not a morning person AT ALL, and the snooze button is my best friend, but there's just something about waking up earlier that makes you feel ridiculously productive. Having time in the mornings to get ready, eat breakfast, and get miscellaneous things done can seriously reduce your stress levels. Barely giving yourself enough time to get ready in the morning starts your day off hectic, and no one really wants that.

4. Go To Sleep

As with most college kids, it's become incredibly easy for me to put off homework during daylight hours and to stay up until two or three in the morning trying to get things done. Other times I'm up late and not even trying to be productive, I'm just preoccupied with binge-watching whatever I can on Netflix. Of course there are occasions where there isn't really another time to get things done, but mostly it's just bad time management. Because of this, sleep becomes less of a priority, despite how essential it is to our health. Getting things done and actually going to sleep at a reasonable hour will only help you in the long run.

5. Find Time To Have Relax And Have Fun

Working all day, every day is not healthy for anyone. Yes, you should definitely prioritize your responsibilities and get things done, but you're not a robot. Take time to decompress every day, even if it's just for a short amount of time. Going out with friends, playing a game for an hour, or even reading or watching a show by yourself can be great ways to escape and take a break from your daily craziness.

6. Don't Be Afraid To Say No

You don't have to do all the things. Really. Certain things are mandatory, and of course you should do what you love, but "no" is a very powerful word. If you're stressed out and finding it difficult to get everywhere you said you were gonna go, I want to encourage you to take a serious look at what you have to do. What can you take a break from? What can you cut out completely? Sometimes you don't have a choice, but most of the time it just takes a little bit of reevaluation.

Remember to breathe. You're doing great.