5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1! A new year awaits us, full of opportunities and challenges. Out with the old, and in with the new! Whether you participate in traditions like eating the 12 grapes at midnight to attract prosperity or wearing specifically colored underwear, these traditions most likely have to do with people wishing to make their New Year’s resolutions come true.
Check our list of the most common New Year's resolutions and find out how to achieve them. Did your resolution land a place on our list?
#1) Minimize Stress
Whether it's because of work, family, or problems in general, it's all too easy to fall into an endless cycle of stress. Minimizing stress means being able to enjoy life to the fullest with fewer worries. That’s why it’s very common for many people to include this goal in their New Year's resolutions.
Fulfilling this new year's resolution is a matter of adopting a new habit. According to WebMD, here are a few tips to help minimize stress:
- Practice Meditation
- Breathing Deeply
- Laughing Out Loud
- Listening to Relaxing Music
#2) Learn Something New
Whether it be learning a new language, learning to play a musical instrument, or learning another trade, it’s never too late to learn something new, no matter the age. In fact, Nielsen, a global information company, reports that 14% of American consumers say they want to learn a new skill, such as a hobby, as part of their New Year's resolutions.
From the scientific aspect, it is interesting how the brain changes when we learn a new skill. For example, learning new skills improves our memory, helps us develop better verbal intelligence as well as progresses our language skills. In order to not end up disappointed about our resolutions, Lifehacker.com advises people to spread the learning over time and apply the skill you’re learning on a daily basis, to build a solid habit.
#3) Quit Smoking
Thanks to various government and private resources, quitting smoking is very much possible. Breaking this harmful habit is a common New Year's resolution, but it requires preparation and a loyal commitment on the individual’s part. Smokefree.gov lists these tips to help people succeed at quitting smoking.
- Let your loved ones know that you are going to stop smoking & ask for their support.
- Create a plan or participate in an assistance program. (For a smoking quitline, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to get started)
- Keep yourself busy with other activities.
- Avoid situations that cause the urge to smoke.
#4) Lose weight
There’s no greater evidence of this new year's resolution than in the increase of gym memberships and self-help product sales. This resolution is so common that Nielsen reports that 32% of American consumers want to lose weight for their New Year's resolution. Everyday Health has 4 tips that can help you achieve this goal.
- Never eat while watching television.
- Set realistic goals that you can commit to right now.
- Go out to dinner less often.
- Get more exercise, more often.
#5) Travel to New Places
"Traveling is discovering that everyone is wrong about other countries." - Aldous Huxley
Going on a trip and learning about different cultures gives us a different perspective than what we usually see in our daily lives. In addition, the opportunity to meet new people and try new things is exciting, which is one of the reasons why many people will put this goal on their list of New Year's resolutions.
Forbes recommends the following to be able to travel more frequently and save money while doing so:
- Look out for offers of air tickets and hotels.
- Even while you’re looking for large savings, don’t overlook unforeseen costs.
- If your travel plans include expensive destinations, try to go during slow periods.
- The hotel rate in the city center is much more expensive than the accommodations in the suburbs. If you plan on leaving for most of the day, save money with accommodations on the outside of the city, to free up more fun money.