A new year connotes a fresh start. Listing down New Year's resolutions has become a tradition that reflects people's positive outlook for the year ahead. What do you have in your list for 2018? Lose weight? Earn a postgraduate degree? To help ensure you attain your resolutions, start by addressing the main source of your past failures.

Why didn't you reach your fitness goal? What stopped you from going back to school? Traffic in Metro Manila isn't just a daily stressor. It's an obstruction to your other pursuits in life. An employee who works in Makati CBD may need to wake up at 4 a.m. to clock in at 8 a.m. He/she then would spend two to three hours to get back home, too exhausted to do anything else but retire for the night. If you don't fix the roadblock in your life, jotting down New Year's resolutions is merely a meaningless habit. A condo in the Philippines offers an instant solution for hard working urbanites. Here's how.

Free up your schedule

The congestion in Metro Manila is a real problem. The high influx of people from other provinces is putting pressure on housing, transport system, and social services. Traffic is a by-product of the mass migration to the capital.

You can vent out your frustrations on social media as much as you want but it doesn't help you. A condo community is strategically situated near major highways, transport networks, and business districts. The usual two-hour drive to the office is drastically cut to less than 30 minutes. With more time in your hands, you'd be able to open up your schedule to worthwhile pursuits such as fitness and personal development.

Spend more time at home

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Are you aiming to live a healthier life in 2018? Stay at home on your days off. By staying indoors on weekends, you can spare yourself from air and noise pollution in the city. Going out also means that you're likely to spend money on restaurant food, artisan coffee, and other unnecessary expenses. Dine outs can wreak havoc to your health and budget, so are coffee shop products.

DMCI Leasing is redefining staycation with resort-style amenities and an ambiance that promotes relaxation. DMCI pioneered the Lumiventt Technology which allows the natural flow of sunlight and area in buildings and common areas. Studies suggest that natural ventilation reduces risk of infection and boosts mood.

Turn your home into a cradle of comfort

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Do you know that poor sleep habit can result to obesity? According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “sleep-deprived people may be too tired to exercise, decreasing the ‘calories burned’ side of the weight-change equation”. If you lack sleep, you're likely to consume more calories because you're awake longer and have more opportunities to eat. Sleep deprivation disrupts the balance of key hormones that control appetite, making you hungrier than others.

Make sure you're meeting the recommended sleep hours by turning your condo space into a haven of relaxation. Condo communities maintain a peaceful environment in which every tenant is obliged to observe rules for a harmonious community living. Moreover, there's a 24-hour security system that ensures you sleep at night without worries.

Meet your weight loss goals

Weight loss is an achievable goal if you plan well and commit to it. First, use your BMI as basis for your target. You can also seek advice from your doctor. Second, prepare your own meals and reduce your dine-outs. Processed foods like bacon and hotdogs add extra pounds and can increase your cancer risk.

In your condo kitchen, prepare fruit-vegetable juices (carrot + celery stalk + apples) for breakfast that you can enjoy with two pieces of wheat bread and poached egg. Cook brown rice topped with steamed chicken breast for office lunch. Pack two bananas and an orange for your snacks.

Fulfill your fitness target

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For an affordable rent, your condo home can help you (finally) fulfill your fitness aspirations. Condo leasing by DMCI offers free access to a fitness gym, lap pool, playcourt, biking path, and various open spaces for exercises.

You can hit the gym for a 30-minute cardio exercise in the morning and the swimming pools for a couple of laps. On weekends, work on your muscles by lifting weights and doing vigorous routines. According to the American Heart Association, you can improve your overall cardiovascular health with least 150 minutes per week or moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. You can divide your exercise time per day.

Manage your household responsibilities better

Independent living means that you take responsibility for your decisions including your moving out of your parents' home. It's okay to ask for financial help once in a while especially during medical emergencies, but you're expected to cover fixed expenditures like rent and utilities. For 2018, be more independent by making smart and informed decisions.

Instead of leasing an apartment on your own, you can move to a condo for rent with a friend. Share the responsibility of paying rent, electricity and water, association dues, and other expenses. You can also split the budget on groceries and cable TV. Plus, you can have each other's company. A friend is a lifeline in this stressful city.

Foster good relations in your neighborhood

There's a saying that it's easier to be a friend than a neighbor. You're obliged to maintain good relations with your neighbors without breaching the boundary of familiarity. This is especially tricky in Filipino society in which relations can be too close for comfort. Your neighbor is your first contact during emergencies, a reliable look-out on your property when you're on vacation, and an ally in times of calamity.

A condo community can help you reach out to the people in your neighborhood through activities. The homeowners' association organizes get-togethers, sports fests, and other events that bring the community together. In 2018, get involved in your community. Be more open.

Downsize your life

downsize your lifePhoto courtesy of Buenosia Carol via Pexels

Many people have their reservations in living in tight spaces such as condo homes. The truth is, a smaller home is enough to serve your purposes. People are just used to large spaces that permit them to accumulate unnecessary things.

A smaller home can allow you to downsize your life. Keep only the items that add value to you. Marie Kondō, author of the bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, shares: “Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.”

Move to a condo community in 2018 and regain control in your life. Call the DMCI Leasing contact number and know about your accommodation options.