We've officially made it through the first two weeks of 2004, and you've now realized that the New Year's resolution you made may not be as easy as you once thought. It's okay; we're here to help. We've listed the top ten resolutions of this year and have added some tips for helping you keep them.
1. Spend more time with family and friends
According to General Nutrition Centers, 59 percent of Americans want to spend more quality time with the ones they love. With work, school and other obligations, trying to find a moment for yourself and friends can be a daunting task. TIP: Use the hour that you usually devote to television in the evening to call your mom or talk to your roommate. The time you spend with them is priceless, and you can always catch the rerun.
2. Staying fit
This doesn't mean loosing weight; it means exercising on a regular basis. This resolution will not only help you look better, but it can also reduce the risk of some cancers, lower blood pressure and can even help you live longer. TIP: Set aside one hour every other day for exercise. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercise three to five days a week. It's easier said than done, but the results will be worth it.
3. Losing weight
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, 55 percent of all Americans are overweight. So it's no real surprise that this resolution makes the top five. TIP: Stick with a weight-loss program that's realistic. There are so many outrageous diets out there that require a complete transformation of your regular routine, but stay reasonable. Instead of looking at the big picture, look at what you can achieve in a day, a week and so on.
4. Quit smoking
According to the American Heart Association, 48.2 million Americans are smokers. Of these, millions try to break the habit every year. TIP: Don't get frustrated if you fail the first time on this resolution. According to about.com, the average smoker tries four times before he or she quits for good. Try one of those over-the-counter nicotine patches and just think about all the money that you'll be saving by breaking the habit.
5. Enjoy life more
Stop and smell the roses. Millions of Americans are trying this year to truly appreciate life while they still have it. TIP: Take the long way home to enjoy the scenery, or instead of spending Saturday watching the game, get outside and play a game with friends.
6. Quit drinking
This can be a hard one to keep, especially while in college, but if you detect that you have a real problem with alcohol, there is a lot of help and support available. TIP: Quitting cold turkey may not be the best way to go. It may be easier to slowly taper off the drinking until you're officially sober.
7. Get out of debt
Money is one of the biggest problems for college kids these days. It doesn't seem to get any better as you become adults. That's why taking charge of your financial problems tops the list this year. TIP: Say no to credit cards that promise an extra 10 or 15 percent off your initial purchase. It's a tempting sale but hanging on to lots of credit cards doesn't look good on a credit report.
8. Learn something new
As one of the easiest resolutions to keep, learning something new is not only educational but also fun. TIP: Whether you read a book or learn a new computer program, try to set aside a set number of hours each week to apply yourself to what you're trying to learn. The outcome will make up for the hour of surfing the Internet you lost.
9. Help others
As the most non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteering can be easy to start, and it can come in many forms. TIP: Student Volunteer Services, located in the Student Center, can help you get started on this worthwhile goal. Call 285-3476 to find the best job that fits your crazy schedule.
10. Get organized
Organization can come in many shapes and sizes. From vowing to keep a planner to making your bed every morning, organizing your life can bring calmness to a usually stressful situation. TIP: Don't try to organize your entire life in one leap. Start small, and once you conquer one area, move on to the next.
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