Experts with National Jewish Health offer the following tips for helping you keep some of the most popular New Year's resolutions.
Reduce Stress: "Practice relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and music are all things that can help you reduce stress levels." Heather LaChance, PhD.
Learn more about breathing and relaxation.
Diet: "Treat the 1st of every month like the 1st of every year. That way if you've fallen off your diet during January, February 1st is a new opportunity to get back to it." Carrie Gleeksman, MS, RD, Clinical Dietician
Learn healthy snack tips.
Exercise: "Start gradual with small goals and slowly build up to your long term goals. Don't expect to be able and run a marathon the first time you go out." Josh Fructman, PT.
Learn how to develop a habit to exercise more.
Quit Smoking: "Smoking is a very orally fixated habit. One tip many have not heard of is the "Straw Method." Find a straw that has the width of a cigarette, cut the straw down to the size of a cigarette, stuff the straw with cotton-this acts as a filter. Puff on that instead." Robert Shaw, Colorado Quitline Counselor
Learn more tips for quitting smoking.
Get a Better Job: "It is important to utilize all of the resources they have available. websites such as Facebook, Craigslist, Indeed.com, Linked-In and Jobing.com provide open job listings and networking opportunities on a regular basis. Also complete the employment application in its entirety—do not skip any sections. Customize your cover letter for every position you apply for, and send thank you letters (hand written) to each person that you interviewed with." Stephanie Franszczak, Human Resources Generalist.
Learn about career opportunities at National Jewish Health.
This information has been approved by faculty and staff at National Jewish Health (December 2009).
