It’s that time of year again where millions of Americans venture down that well-traveled path of New Year’s resolutions. “It is a route covered with promises to exercise more, lose weight, stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, eat a healthier diet and make new friends.

A study done in 1997 sought to understand the factors that best predict success in keeping New Year's resolutions. The researchers focused on health-related resolutions because these types of pledges are the most common and 60 percent of Americans die from illnesses connected to behavior such as overeating, lack of exercise and smoking. In addition, little is known about the process by which people make successful behavior changes.”

"The keys to making a successful resolution are a person's confidence that he or she can make the behavior change and the commitment to making that change." In addition, the study indicates that "resolutions are a process, not a one-time effort that offer people a chance to create new habits." Even if people are successful, they need to follow-up on their behavior over the years.

To be successful with your own resolutions :

• Have a strong initial commitment to make a change.

• Have coping strategies to deal with problems that will come up.

• Keep track of your progress. The more monitoring you do and feedback you get, the better you will do.”

• How to Quit Smoking

• Lose Weight NOW

• How to Start an Exercise Program

• Tips to Healthy Living

• Create Your Healthy Living Strategy?

Here is keeping my fingers and toes crossed in support of your New Year’s Resolution. I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!!

A healthy spirit takes a conscious effort. Everyday you need to make it a priority to think positive and focus on your successes and not your so-called failures. One of my favorite quotes of all times is "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm" Sir Winston Churchill. It is your perspective that defines your happiness not your circumstances. The Power of Positive Thinking

Are you looking for a natural way to deal with your anxiety and/or depression? Find out more about your options and if an alternative treatment is right for you. Anxiety and Depression: Herbal Remedies and Alternative Treatments

Want to learn more about Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome? Read Jenny’s story and how she finally found the right diagnosis after a long journey. Postural Hypotension: Jenny’s Story

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer. It is an epidemic in modern societies. We need to find the value in altering our lifestyles to ease the stress on our bodies and minds. Holistic health care offers multiple options to support a healthy program to decrease blood pressure and improve your physical health. Holistic Health and High Blood Pressure

Consider trying something new this year YOGA. There are many medical conditions that can be improved and indeed healed by practicing yoga. It can be used to lessen the negative effects of infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. Yoga Has The Power To Heal You

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The wonderful thing about New Year’s is that it gives us the opportunity to start over every year. Make this year the year you fulfill all your dreams and write the book you have always wanted to live.

Part of Healthy Living is being committed to supporting causes you are passionate about. If you are so moved, please support Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.

• We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.

• We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.

• We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.

Want to make it a Green New Year? Check out The Daily Green

Small changes can make a big difference! To learn more about healthy homes go to My Healthy Home

Listed below are some of my favorite products. One thing I have found with buying organic or all-natural products is that sometimes you have to try two or three before you find one that works. So hopefully I can help by making a few recommendations!