Cougs: whether we want to face it or not, a new year is upon us. This is your chance to start off fresh, whether you’re a fifth year senior or an incoming freshman. Make this your year count – academically, professionally and personally.

Near the top of this list should be your health. As Count Rugen said in The Princess Bride, “If you haven’t got your health, then you haven’t got anything.”

The start of a new year is the perfect time to start new habits in order to incorporate them into your currently fluctuating schedule. It doesn’t matter if you want to gain weight, lose weight, stay the same weight or just be healthy, the following are some simple things you can incorporate into your day to be all around healthier and feel better.

First and foremost, drink water. A lot of water. We’ve all heard to drink eight glasses a day and this is something we should all listen to. Our bodies are mostly water so we must drink plenty to replenish our stores.

Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, it’s kind of hot outside. This causes the body to become dehydrated quicker because you’re sweating it all out.

Solution: carry around a water bottle, even if it’s just a little one that you keep refilling. You’ll feel better and being hydrated will actually help you stay awake better in class.

The second easy thing you can do is get 30 minutes of activity in every day. This could really be anything, as long as you’re moving beyond your couch. For now, walking around campus, rushing to your classes in the heat could suffice, but remember that your body gets used to certain repeated activities. So, in time, your strut around campus will just become part of an everyday routine that your body automatically accounts for.

So, to accommodate for this, hit up the Student Recreation Center. Get in the habit now, before your schedule ends up too slammed to fit anything else in. But don’t do the same thing every time; mix up your cardio and your weights. Also, it’s more fun if you do different activities. Pick up a class, look online for different work outs or maybe even try the racquetball court instead of saying you will every time you pass it.

Skittles said it best when they told their consumers to “Taste the Rainbow,” but I don’t mean everyone’s favorite fruity candy. While all the good stuff (as in good tasting) may be more than a little monochromatic, be sure to throw in some colorful fruits and vegetables to get a full spectrum. If you can, get some plants in at all three meals for optimum vitamin absorbancy.

Another simple task (for now) is to get a good night’s sleep. Most people recommend eight to nine hours, but I know, as busy college students, this can sometimes be impossible and later in the semester this will be even harder. The easiest way to at least try to do this is to set up a bed time for yourself. Simply take back nine hours from the time you have to get up in the morning and promise yourself you will wish everyone on Facebook, Skype and texting land good night and go to bed. If this means lying awake for an hour, so be it. Eventually your body will get used to being relaxed at this time of night and you’ll fall asleep faster.

Waking up at the same time every day, even if your classes start at different times throughout the week, will also help your body reset its circadian rhythm so you get the most out of your sleep.

Last, but not least, do things you love to do. The beginning of the year is the perfect time to join clubs or get involved at school. If you’re doing the things you love, you’ll be happier. If you feel good, you’ll look good, it’s as simple as that.

These are all things that can be easily put into anyone’s schedule. I dare you to try at least one this week. Be excellent to yourself and each other, Cougs.