As December approaches, we naturally think "new year, new me," generally meaning more gym visits, more dedication to school or work, or making more time for our families. Here are a few changes to consider, not only for the sake of a new year, but for a cleaner, clearer lifestyle.

Smile

Yeah, it sounds cheesy, but smile at babies, smile at strangers (with caution), or smile at the person you just accidentally made awkward eye contact with. Not everyone's going to smile back at you but the ones that do can make a difference in your outlook for the day.

Gossip less, think more

Spend less time being concerned about others. You can still be a selfless person, but disregard comments about others and refrain from judging others when possible. Rather than wasting your time questioning someone's wardrobe choice, you could be spending that time thinking about your own next move.

Wake up earlier

There are 24 hours in a day and dedicating 12 hours of that to lying in bed is a waste of so much potential. Go to the gym, read the newspaper, call your mom, or start on an assignment with a deadline for the following week. In short, do something useful with your time.

Do something challenging

Set a goal for yourself, physically or professionally, and work towards that. Dedicate your energy and time into something that shows results, tangible or intangible. If it feels productive, do it.