Throughout the month of January, I know I have heard the phrase "New Year, New Me" more times than I can count. While it's easy to laugh at this cliché, it has gotten me thinking more about how I can better myself during the year of 2018. I have decided that this year will be the year where I am more positive not only in my actions but on my general outlook on life. Here are some tips and tricks to living a healthy, positive lifestyle:

Get Sleep.

Now trust me, I know how hard it is to get an adequate amount of sleep in college, but putting in effort to get to bed early is really worth it. While you may not want to leave a party early or would rather work ahead on your homework, your body will really thank you for getting that much needed extra hour of sleep.

Eat Healthy.

Given the choice, I would much rather choose chocolate over salad and vegetables. It certainly tastes better, but the price I pay is having an energy crash. What we eat affects many aspects of our life, not just our weight. Our sleep, endurance, focus and overall level of energy is affected by the foods and drinks we consume. Make sure you give yourself as much of a boost as you can, especially during school.

Exercise. (Even if it's just for a few minutes)

I have had the fortune of friends who "encourage" (more like force) me to exercise with them. Although I prefer lounging in front of Netflix, I'm glad I do even the shortest workout everyday. Exercise kickstarts your endorphins, or your happy chemicals, resulting in a better mood and feel. Not only that, but studies have shown that exercise helps you sleep better at night.

Meditation/Prayer.

Getting in touch with your inner self is always a helpful way to silence your crazy thoughts and step back the business of life. Reflecting on the day, your goals, or just how awesome you are can help you refocus and find a sense of peace. Even five minutes of slowing down will you give a surge of energy to jump back into the routine of the day.

Filling your mind with positive vibes.

This is probably the most important one. Surrounding yourself and thinking with positivity can really impact you, physically, mentally and emotionally. Our thought patterns can affect our health and our overall quality of life, which is why it is so important to filter what we think about. There are many ways to filter how you think, such as what we allow ourselves to see and watch. Like that common saying, "garbage in, garbage out", what we expose ourselves to can really impact us. This includes who or what accounts we follow on social media, the news we read, or the people we hang out with. Try to purposefully be influenced by happier, better stuff like cute dog accounts on Instagram, reading Scriptures or other things to fill yourself with good, positive thoughts.

One of the most important keys to a positive lifestyle is being kind towards yourself, and knowing that you won't always be perfect, and that that's okay. Take life one day at a time and know you can do it.