Popular New Year's Resolutions and Tips to Help You Keep Them

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.

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

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.

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

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.