Now that it's a new year, it's time to focus on your goals. Every year we hear people say "new year, new me" and it's about time we make it happen. Now, I'm not talking about making drastic changes in your life, but instead, little things that can go a long way.
1. Create a nightly routine
With all of the craziness going on in our lives, it can be pretty hard to create a routine for yourself. If you just take the time to go to sleep at the same time every night, you will feel more refreshed in the morning. Once you get in the habit of sleeping at a certain time, your body will start to feel tired around that time and less groggy. However, this doesn't mean we still can't go to the after party or football game, just try not to do it every night!
2. Watch what you put into your body
Now that classes are starting back up, it can be quite difficult to eat a healthy meal. We tend to just grab a coffee or a bag of chips from the vending machine. Even though it's convenient, this isn't exactly good for our body. Instead of grabbing junk food, take a few extra minutes before you leave and slice an apple or grab a granola bar. Not only is it healthier for your body, but your energy will last so much longer than the salty bag of chips.
3. Stay hydrated
Always remember this: drink water. Water is the most important beverage we can put into our body. Yes, coffee is good and wakes you up, but does it keep you hydrated? Does it keep you moving all day? No. Water is the ultimate super drink. The more water you drink, the more refreshed and focused you will be.
4. Always take some time for yourself
College is always going to be stressful for us. Work, life, or even reality can stress us out too. Stress can be hazardous to our health and if not taken care of, only becomes worse. This is why it is so important to find time for ourselves. This can be a simple as reading a couple book chapters every day, doing some yoga, or writing in a journal. They're so easy to do, yet go a long way for our health. If you don't have the time or the resources to do these things, just take a moment to breathe. Focus on you and take a couple deep breaths. You will feel a weight of stress lift right off your shoulders.
5. Focus on what matters most
We all have different goals in life. We know what we want and we continue to work towards them. In order to achieve our dreams and goals, we can never give up on the things that will get us there. Always stay on the right path. For me, this means achieving good grades in my classes and being accepting into the OT program.
6. Step outside the box
Take a chance. Try something new. Go on an Alternative Break trip for Spring Break. Make friends with the person sitting next to you. Join a new organization. Try a new sport. Create a workout crew and go to the gym every week. Learn a new instrument. Volunteer in your community. Step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance at life.
There are a million more things we can do to move our lives in a positive direction, but these are just a few. With all of the craziness and stress coming our way as we enter a new semester, never forget who you are and what really matters to you. As long as we take time for ourselves and take care of our bodies, we are going to have an amazing year.
