I love writing about shopping on a budget and fashion dos and don’ts. But this column is about the general ways to make it a happy year. Because, ultimately, before you can focus on fashion and beauty, you gotta have a positive spirit about you—emotionally, mentally, and physically. So here are my Top 5 Tips toward making it a wonderful 2011.

Drink Plenty of Water: Soda, coffee, and fruit drinks can definitely quench your thirst, but there’s nothing like a cold glass of water. You don’t have to give up your favorite drinks altogether, but being conscious of what you consume is always smart. Not only will water keep you hydrated, you’ll feel great! Your skin will look great, you may shed a few pounds (when you replace your usual drinks with water), and you may even have more energy. H20 is the way to go!

Have Healthy Relaxation Techniques: Coming from an ex-smoker, the last thing you want to do is turn to cigarettes as a way to relieve your stress. You’ll waste money, have breathing problems, and well . . . just give yourself more problems than you want. Taking a bubbly bath, going for a stroll around the block, and even writing your thoughts down in a journal can provide you with a peaceful state of mind. Everyone wants the strength to sort through daily grinds of work, traffic, and other frustrations. The healthier routes that you take, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

Save Up: Sometimes bills seem to come out of nowhere. Sometimes you get a flat tire. Sometimes you need to buy the perfect dress for a last-minute party. While credit cards can help out in emergencies, the interest you end up paying is totally ridiculous. That said, it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that you actually have the money to take care of any unexpected situations. And you can begin saving today! Make coffee at home, bring your lunch to work, sell some of your designer wear clothes on e-bay if you don’t wear them. These are just some of the ways that can help fatten your wallet.

Maintain Healthy Friendships: There will always be “haters”—people who get a kick out of seeing someone else fail. Those are individuals you want to steer clear of. A friend should provide support when success comes your way as well as when you feel down and out. This year, try making it a point to evaluate who in your life is worthy of your friendship. Spending time with a friend should bring laughter and heart-to-heart talks, not pain and frustration. Even if it’s hard to let go, it might just very well be the time to say goodbye to unhealthy friendships and hello to new ones.

Exercise: Do you have a gym membership? Now is a great time to get one. Many fitness centers are offering discounts and deals as a way to get you started this year on the right foot. A member of Bally, I take spinning and kickboxing not only to relieve my stress—I am determined to lose 25 pounds by springtime. Having this goal, I find myself excited to work out and get a good sweat in. Class exercises are also a perfect meet-and-greet. I’ve made some incredible friendships with those who share my weight loss and fitness goals.  This makes me feel less alone in my attempts. (Plus, I will be able to fit into my skinny jeans again before I know it!)

However you plan to meet your New Year’s resolutions, keep this in mind: If you don’t have a positive spirit about yourself, it will be nearly impossible to reach your goals. Shopping for fabulous finds can definitely arouse a positive spirit, but this can’t be accomplished if you are set in negative patterns and behaviors. You are special. You are worth making the necessary changes you need to make it a happy new year.