Sunday January 4th, 2009 New Year's Resolutions

With the beginning of a new year many of us will be making some New Year’s resolutions. Often the goal is to get fit, quit smoking, decrease stress, organize our homes, earn more money, or travel more. This got me to thinking about why we do this – why do we make New Year’s resolutions…and when/where did this tradition begin? The celebration of New Year’s stretches far into the history of humankind; however it was not until the time of the Romans in approximately 153 BCE that the year began on January 1 (according to The American Book Of Days). The one consistent theme across many cultural traditions is that the New Year celebration is seen as a time for purging the old and embracing the new. Whatever the reason for making a resolution (or two), the library has information and material that can help in achieving your goals.

Physical Fitness

There are a variety of books and dvds available for anyone interested in physical fitness. From general strength training to pilates, yoga, dance aerobics, swimming, running and nutrition there is something here for everyone.
Fitness Swimming - This book not only provides step-by-step instructions for building a more effective and efficient freestyle stroke, it also explains how to set up a complete swimming fitness and training plan. You: The Owner’s Manual - Promoted by celebrity hosts such as Oprah, this guide will lead you through the ins and outs (literally) of all there is to know about your own body.

Quit Smoking

Quit Smoking Auto-Matically - Feel positive and confident about your ability to quit smoking with the help of this tape. "Quit Smoking Auto-Matically" can be used while driving, working out, or traveling. Also, the Public Health Agency of Canada offers a wealth of information on handling tobacco and other addictions.


Decrease Stress

Living with stress has become a fact of everyday life. The effects of stress can cause physical problems as much as emotional ones. There are many simple and easy ways to handle daily causes of stress, many of which can be found online at sites such as MedicineNet.com, or through the health databases provided by the Thunder Bay Public Library in its Virtual Collection. The library also has many books available that can help in handling stress, such as Stress Free For Good: 10 Scientifically Proven Life Skills For Health And Happiness or Stress Relief.

Getting Organized

Christopher Lowell’s Seven Layers Of Organization: Unclutter Your Home, Unclutter Your Life takes you through the organizing process step by step, breaking down each layer into simple tasks that anyone can make time to do. He shows how to plan ahead for better, faster, longer-lasting results; how to decide what to keep and what to toss; and how to store or show off your possessions. The Clutter-Busting Handbook: Clean It Up, Clear It Out, And Keep Your Life Clutter Free helps readers tackle problem areas like closets and garages, and also includes tips on emptying e-mail accounts and clearing out ordinary paper clutter.

Earn More Money

Got your eye on a promotion, or looking to change careers? A good place to start is with Service Ontario. This government site offers advice and information on writing resumes and cover letters, as well as helpful interview hints. The Thunder Bay Public Library Virtual Collection also offers help through the Career Cruising database, which allows you to browse and search careers, training and professional education resources.

Travel

Thinking of doing more traveling in the year to come? The library has current travel guides for destinations all around the world that can help you plan your dream trip. Or if you’re just in the mood for a good read based on travel, check out Cruising For Murder (actress Morgan Taylor agrees to do a friend a favor by replacing a last minute deserter in the cruise ships entertainment cast. It's only after she meets the ship in Miami that Morgan learns her predecessor was murdered) or Letters From Atlantis (taking the travel theme further to include time travel when main character Roy transfers his mind into that of a royal prince living in Atlantis 180 centuries ago).

Happy New Year and good luck in keeping those resolutions!

Jesse Roberts, Reference Services Librarian