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6 most popular New Year’s resolutions and tips for keeping them
Let’s be real: Has anyone ever stuck to a New Year’s resolution more than a few months?
2024 is drawing to a close, and 2025 can serve as a fresh slate for many. New Year’s resolutions are as much a part of the celebration as the iconic Times Square Ball Drop. In fact, the first recorded New Year’s resolutions go back 4,000 years to the Ancient Babylonians. Of course, our 21st-century goals likely differ a great deal.
LIST: 6 most common New Year’s resolutions
Data and business intelligence platform Statista surveyed 1,050 Americans ages 18 to 80 about their 2025 New Year’s resolutions. The survey had a total of 15 options and allowed for multiple selections.
While two in five (43%) Americans said they weren’t making a resolution, the majority of those who did had goals falling into one of six categories:
- Save more money (21%)
- Eat healthier (19%)
- Exercise more (17%)
- Lose weight (15%)
- Spend more time with family/friends (14%)
- Quit smoking (9%)
How long do New Year’s resolutions typically last?
The average New Year’s resolution lasts less than four months, according to a 2023 Forbes Health/OnePoll survey. The two- and three-month mark appeared the most common, each with 22% of respondents claiming to have committed to their resolutions for those periods of time.
While only 1% of those surveyed could brag about holding onto their resolutions for a full 11 and 12 months, around the same number said they couldn’t keep their resolutions for just one month. A meager 2% held on for seven, eight, nine and ten months. Fewer than one in 10 (8%) gave up after a month, 13% after four months, 9% after five months and 5% after six months.
Despite the tradition of committing to New Year’s resolutions, giving up on them has become a tradition in itself. “Quitter’s Day” is the second Friday of January — which falls on Jan. 10 in 2025 — while “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day” is always Jan. 17.
Research also suggests that the type of goals set can influence the strength of a commitment to them. A study published by PLoS One found that approach-oriented goals (such as “I will exercise at least three times a week”) reaped higher rates of success than avoidance-oriented goals (“I will not eat junk food”).
8 tips for sticking to New Year’s resolutions
If so few can keep their New Year’s resolutions for the full year, how can you expect yourself to? USA TODAY spoke with experts to give you some pointers:
- Make a realistic plan: It’s easy to create impossibly large goals without the intention to follow through with them. Breaking a goal down into smaller, more manageable parts can make it more accessible.
- Find an accountability partner: Simply telling one person about a goal and timeframe can become a big motivator.
- Keep it simple: Identifying one or two easy, attainable goals can increase the likelihood of sticking with them.
- Act like someone who has already met the goal: Having the confidence to “fake it ’til you make it” can make you more comfortable about trying something new.
- Add something instead of taking something away: Just as the PloS One study suggests positive, approach-oriented goals tend to work better than negative, avoidance-oriented goals.
- Don’t wait for January 1: Doing the necessary research and planning beforehand can set you up for a strong start in the new year as a way of building momentum.
- Adopt a growth mindset: Just as preparation can set up for success, imagining small steps taken regularly “shifts the focus from perfection to progress,” certified functional strength coach and personal trainer Anthony Crouchelli says.
- Celebrate success: Rewarding yourself for wins, big or small, serves as additional motivation to carry out your goals. There’s no need to wait until you overcome that final hurdle when you can celebrate the progress you make along the way.
— USA TODAY contributed to this report.
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to start the year off on a positive note and set goals for self-improvement. However, it can be challenging to stick to these resolutions throughout the year. Here are the 6 most popular New Year’s resolutions and tips for keeping them:
1. Get in shape: One of the most common resolutions is to exercise more and get in shape. To stick to this resolution, try setting specific, achievable fitness goals, finding a workout buddy for motivation, and mixing up your routine to keep things interesting.
2. Eat healthier: Another popular resolution is to eat healthier and improve your diet. To stay on track, try meal prepping to have healthy options readily available, focus on incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals, and allow yourself occasional treats to avoid feeling deprived.
3. Save money: Many people resolve to save more money in the new year. To help achieve this goal, create a budget and stick to it, look for ways to cut unnecessary expenses, and set up automatic transfers to a savings account to make saving easier.
4. Learn something new: Whether it’s picking up a new hobby or taking a class, learning something new can be a fulfilling resolution. To stay motivated, set aside dedicated time each week for learning, find a mentor or partner to keep you accountable, and celebrate your progress along the way.
5. Travel more: If traveling is on your list of resolutions, start by creating a travel bucket list and setting aside funds specifically for trips. Research destinations that interest you, plan ahead to take advantage of deals and discounts, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore new places.
6. Reduce stress: Finally, many people aim to reduce stress and improve their mental well-being in the new year. To achieve this, prioritize self-care activities such as meditation, exercise, and spending time outdoors. Practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if needed.
By setting realistic goals, staying accountable, and practicing self-care, you can increase your chances of sticking to your New Year’s resolutions and achieving your desired outcomes. Cheers to a successful and fulfilling year ahead!
Tags:
- New Year’s resolutions
- Popular resolutions
- Tips for keeping resolutions
- Achieving goals
- Personal growth
- Self-improvement
- Healthy habits
- Fitness goals
- Financial resolutions
- Mental wellness.
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