It’s that time again!  New Year’s Day is nearly here, and a new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start.  The most popular New Year’s resolutions are aimed at self-improvement and quality of life.

1. Going Back To School: This a resolution you would want to get a quick jump on right after the new year. Lots of colleges and universities and trade schools start their new semester in the end of January. A lot of undergraduate and graduate programs also have January and February deadlines for applications!
2. Starting a New Diet and Exercise Routine: Besides gaining a sleeker, healthier and possibly sexier body, exercise has great beauty benefits. It will make your skin radiant and a leaner body means a leaner face (this may mean you can skip the extra contouring layers with your powder and bronzer).  Exercise also has so many health benefits.  If you can do it to look better, why not do it with the goal of being healthy? Exercise can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, increases longevity, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Diet has many of the same benefits.  You can feel better inside and out if you’re eating foods higher in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and essential fatty acids.  These are associated with healthier, faster growing hair and nails, radiant skin, and a leaner physique.  There is really no down side!  Of course, it is always a good idea to check with a doctor before you start a new diet and exercise routine.
3. Better Beauty Habits: Perhaps you’ve skipped moisturizer or not taken off your makeup before going to bed.  The New Year is a great opportunity to  resolve to better care of the first thing people see about you: your face!
4. Spending Quality Time With Your Family & Friends: People who surround themselves with great family and friends are often happier!  This translates into overall health and beauty benefits.
5. Quitting Smoking: We all know the health risks associated with smoking.  Cigarettes contain so many cancer-causing carcinogens.  Smoking also stains your teeth, and your skin, and smokers also get more wrinkles – especially around the mouth – and have drier skin and a less radiant skin tone.  This is because you are starving yourself (and you skin) of precious oxygen!  If you can’t do it cold turkey, there are lots of support programs as well as over the counter and prescription therapies.  Other options include hypnosis.  Don’t wait another year to quit!
6. Free Yourself From Debt: 2009 was a bad year financially for so many Americans.  Resolving to pay off your credit card debt in 2010 is a great way to start of your new year and build a new life for yourself.
7. Helping People: Whether you help out your family and friends or volunteer to help out complete strangers, nothing feels better than helping others.  If you don’t have the time to do volunteer work, you can work to make the time, or you can donate money, clothing, or other goods to reputable charities.
8. Clearing Out The Clutter: Some of us just have to turn on the TV and see an episode of Hoarders or Clean House to get scared clean.  Getting yourself organized can make a huge difference in both your personal and your professional lives.  I organized my closets recently and I can get ready for work in about half the time because I know where everything is and that it definitely fits!

This year, I plan on getting myself more organized.  What’s YOUR New Year’s Resolution for 2010?