1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends - Recent polls show that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with family or friends for an evening of camaraderie at home or at a favorite restaurant. Push yourself away from the computer, TV, or other screens and get out a board game, run errands together, or even just plan a family together time every week. It can make a difference!
2. Move More: Fit in Fitness - Regular physical activity has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of chronic diseases and some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, improves sleep, enhances mood, lowers anxiety and blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, physical activity keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
3. Eat Better: Tame the Bulge - Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Tobacco - Resolve to make this the year that you stamp out your tobacco habit; over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides one of the resources that has demonstrated some measure of success with tobacco cessation. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about eight times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit.
5. Enjoy Life More - Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
6. Quit Drinking - While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.
7. Get Out of Debt - Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the years ahead.
8. Learn Something New - Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer or program your DVD? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs.
9. Help Others - Volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you have extra furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need and can donate, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.
10. Get Organized - On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, organizing your life can make you more efficient, which can lead to better health overall.
(source: adapted from Websense)