With the new year reigning in, it’s time to actually buckle down into carrying out a healthier lifestyle easily. Here are some tips on bodily and brain health that will actually be beneficial to you, both mentally and physically, and cost little to nothing all the while.

• Take a walk. Or run, but either will definitely help you in the long run. Walking and running are crucial if you want to lose calories, which is essentially the first thing in the steps toward a fit bod. Any exercise is applicable too, and if you have a certain hobby, you can incorporate some type of physical activity to anything.Walking and running are also a good outlet to release mental stress, and free your thoughts as well.

• Eat healthy. Yes, it has been said many, many times. However, it is said so much because it is vital in achieving a healthy body and mind. There is no need to go on some expensive diet that will make you practically starve and then once you finish, you just binge eat on what you’ve missed out on. Don’t do that! Simply take out some of the junk foods you eat on a regular basis (although a cheat meal a day is perfectly okay to maintain. Add more fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in protein and fiber instead of sugar and sodium. This is a very easy task in dieting, and won’t cost you a lot of money either.

• Meditate. Meditation, yoga, and other similar exercises are extremely helpful in cleansing the body of stress, which is a huge issue in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Take 10-20 minutes out of your day to just sit, or stretch your body, listen to calming music, or just listen to the sounds of nature, and relax. Relaxation is a key element in staying healthy, too.

• Stay positive. As cliché as it sounds, it is so important that you maintain staying positive throughout all aspects of your life. Negative thoughts only cause more negative thoughts and stress. So, even when in a sad, difficult or frustrating situation, try to think to yourself that things are gonna be alright, and start look at that glass half full.