(NC)—Recent elections, an economic downturn, fluctuating gas prices, and rising food costs are just some of the current events that will influence Canadians’ New Year’s resolutions in 2009. Many are considering what the coming year will look like for themselves and their families and pondering how they may have to adjust to these hopeful yet challenging times. Here are the top five New Year’s resolutions you can expect your friends and family to make this year:1. Spend more time with family and friends. With people taking on extra hours at work or even additional jobs to make ends meet, families and friends may have been a bit neglected over the last year. Canadians are determined to pause and reconnect with friends and family. Relaxing in the company of family and friends after a hard week at work is a great de-stressor and fosters a good work/life balance.2. Get fit. Being overly busy and stressed with work leaves people exhausted at the end of the day with no time for working out. This encourages weight gain. But being active is still very much a Canadian way of life. So, whether at home or in a gym, integrating some kind of fitness regime—cycling, weight training, even salsa dance classes— is a must for Canadians in 2009.3. Get a handle on the finances. Impulse shopping, new cars and frequent dining out can wreak havoc on the budget. Canadians are giving priority to basic life obligations like mortgages, property taxes and saving for their children’s education. Finances are top of mind in 2009.4. Keep your situation in perspective. Many are expecting 2009 to be a tough year and it is easy to feel apprehensive. But not when you consider others around the world who may be even worse off. Lots of Canadians recognize that while there are some real challenges here, it is much worse elsewhere in the world. Many find comfort and strength in knowing they have the power to help someone else. With personal computers in the majority of homes, it only takes a few minutes to get involved. By logging onto charitable websites like www.ccfcanada.ca , a child-focused international development organization, Canadians are making it their New Year’s resolution to sponsor a child half way around the world and help them break free from a life of suffering in extreme poverty.5. Learn something new. With the world and the economy changing so quickly, learning a new job or life skill is appealing for many in 2009. Canadians are considering learning more about their national and global economy and how they are affected by it.