Welcome to February. It's cold and flu season. Along with it comes increased stress from classes that are now giving proper homework and handing out their first exams. When it comes to the conglomeration of all these factors, I feel people (myself included), put their physical and mental wellbeing on the back burner. Maybe I'll take some medication for that stuffy nose or aching head, but I'm more likely to grab something with caffeine and sugar and push through until all my responsibilities are done.

That's a mistake - I've learned it the hard way again and again as I've had to spend weekends lying down and resting and had to turn down having fun with my friends because I felt so terrible.

So I decided to turn over a new leaf and put myself first. It's hard, no one ever really teaches this basic skill but doing little things every day to show myself that I care has had pretty big mental and physical benefits and challenges but I believe it's vital for feeling better inside and out.

Here are my top five tips on focusing on yourself.

1. Whatever's obviously hurting you - quit.

This is my number one for a reason. Chances are if you've previously identified something that's hurting you and you're still a part of it in some way, there's a reason you don't want to leave it behind. For me this was my job. I love working with kids, I really do, but my immune system never got the memo. I've been sick with everything from sinus infections to pneumonia, so regardless of all the reasons to stay, I recognized the problem and put in my two weeks. I think this tip is the scariest but most beneficial.

2. Clean your space.

I always advocate for cleaning and organizing because you figure out what's important to you. If you're frustrated that you own something or that your space is a cluttered mess, clean it, organize it, and throw out what you don't want. A clean space puts me at least one step closer to a clear head.

3. Eat healthy and exercise.

How many times have you seen this recommended? A hundred? More? Me too. Doesn't stop it from being important. When I recommend this by the way, I think of it very generally. I don't think you should worry too much about goals when it comes to health because it's ongoing, and goals are usually more results oriented. Don't worry about weight or eating only the most healthy foods. Be kind to yourself but also recognize that you're choices impact how you're feeling and healthier foods will make you feel more awake and happy -- at least they do for me.

4. Give yourself some mental health time.

Moving on from physical health brings us to mental health. Now, this can be anything from journaling to resting without extraneous sound to meditation and yoga. I personally get restless during meditation and other stationary activities so I find yoga very useful. There are certain routines (I follow youtube videos) that focus on relieving stress and allow me to channel however I'm feeling.

5. Give yourself 'you' time.

Spend some time on skincare, read a book, watch a movie in your pjs. Whatever it is, just give yourself some time when you're not doing anything just because you feel like you should be. I think this is one of the best ways to increase self esteem because I find that if I value my own hobbies or self-care activities and give them time, I subconsciously tell myself that I'm worth that time. That is the most powerful gift I can give myself.