Top 10 New Year’s resolutions

Many people pick getting fit as a New Year resolution

A very popular resolution is quitting smoking

Friday,  December 30, 2005

It is that time of year again when everyone is reflecting on the year behind them. It’s also time for resolutions many of which will be broken within the first few weeks of the year but nevertheless year on year we keep making them.

Below are the consistently most popular resolutions:

1) Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls that some 50 percent of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

2) Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3) Tame the Bulge

Fifty-five percent of adults in America are overweight. Although the exact figure is unavailable for the Cayman Islands it is believed to be very similar to that of the US.

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 Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Bear in mind that a campaign is underway here to consider banning smoking in public places so start practicing.

5) Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of all of us, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years.

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 is a world of help and support available.

7) Get Out of Debt

When money is a big source of stress in your life resolving to spend less is a popular resolution. Many people here are still reeling from Ivan so cutting spending could be a popular choice here in 2006. 

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? 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. Challenge your mind in the coming year, and your horizons will expand.

9) Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, these nonprofit volunteer organizations could really use your help.

10) Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution’s 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, these tips and links should get you started on the way to a more organized life

If readers have any other interesting resolutions then tell us about them and let us know what you hope to achieve in 2006. E-mail: news@caymannetnews.com

    Back...