What's Happening at Dakota Ranch

Sticking to Your New Year Resolution

Jan 02, 2018

We have all heard the saying “New Year, New Me” when it comes to bringing in a new year. While this is a great time to make changes that you believe will be beneficial to your life going forward, there are a lot of times when sticking to your resolutions becomes harder than expected. The sky is the limit when it comes to these resolutions but making them realistic gives you the greatest chance of sticking to them. Below are some tips to help you stick to your New Year Resolution.

Start Small- If you have a resolution to exercise more in the New Year, it can be hard to go from 0-100. Help yourself by starting small and working up to your expected goal as you move along. This will increase your chances of sticking to the goal and creating a routine/habit.

Change One Behavior at a Time- If you have more than one resolution, focus on one at a time. Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time so replacing them will take times as well.

Make It Personal- While you are making your goals for the year, think of why it is important to you. By determining your inner motivation, and writing your goals down, you will be personally inspired to stick to it and keep progressing.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection- Perfection is unattainable so making small steps towards your goals are normal and okay. Don’t let the image of perfection stop you from seeing all the progress you are making day in and day out.

Accountability- Share your goals with others and ask them to hold you accountable. Think of this as the ‘buddy system’. People who tell others about their goals are more likely to accomplish them because they’re afraid of failing in front of other people. Use this as motivation!

Reduce Stress This Holiday Season

Dec 04, 2017

While this time of year is often filled with joy and excitement, it can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. As you are preparing for finals and planning your holiday activities, whether it’s a trip home or staying put, learning how to deal with these stresses will help you have a more enjoyable holiday.

Here are some tips to help reduce stress this holiday season:

• Let your family know about your plans and preferences for the holiday before you arrive home. Listen to their preferences and plans as well.
• Make certain your plans include your family in some way. Think of some things you have in common with them or things you enjoy doing with them and request to do those things. Include your parents in the planning and scheduling of these activities.
• Discuss with your parents regarding changes, i.e. curfew. Negotiation may need to occur.
• Be prepared for the endless questions from family. How was this semester for you? What’s your GPA? What’s your major again? What are you going to do with that? Have you met any new friends? What clubs have you joined? Why did you choose that one? There are literally infinite questions that your parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and just about everybody else in your family can and will ask. Be completely prepared to feel like you’re being interviewed for a job based on how well this semester went.
• Have a lot of tasks to complete? Make a to-do list in chronological order to minimize stress.
• Gift exchanges! Enjoy the present and try not to worry about what may be lacking.
• Stay active and continue to eat a balanced diet.
• Make time for yourself and your needs, even when hosting guests in your house.
• Keep tabs on your holiday spending. Make a budget and stick to it, no exceptions.
• Learn to say no. It’s OK not to do everything.
• Renew your lease! Reduce stress down the road and renew your lease before the holidays! 

Friendsgiving

Nov 08, 2017

Friendsgiving: The celebration of Thanksgiving dinner with your friends.

Whether you can’t make it home for the holiday or you just want to host a Thanksgiving dinner before or after the normal day, Friendsgivings can be a blast!

Tips on Hosting a Stellar Friendsgiving:

1. Host makes the Turkey
2. Delegate the rest of the dishes to your guests
3. Plan ahead to make sure it fits with your guests’ schedule
4. Every kind of potato you can think of…
5. Theme your dinner
6. Have everyone dress up like pilgrims (but really it would be hilarious!)
7. Designate a table to desserts… they are after all their own food group

For more Friendsgiving advice check out the article below!