Psychologist explains why September is key month for resolutions

September is the new January, according to Jo Hemmings

September is the new month for self-improvement with nearly 10 million Brits saying this is the month they make life changes. New research from Vodafone reveals 14% of Brits found a new job, 11% found a new hobby or interest and 7% moved house during the ninth month of the year.

The study also revealed that more than a third of Brits feel more motivated to improve their life this month, compared to any other time of the year.

The new research was commissioned to mark the launch of Vodafone Xchange, which lets customers get a new phone every year when they exchange their old phone.

The ‘September resolutions’ are down to a sense of renewal after summer, a back-to-school mentality inspiring fresh routines (24%), and the idea that, unlike in January, there’s less pressure at this point in the year (30%), making it easier to commit to meaningful improvements and finish the year strong.

Behavioural Psychologist, Jo Hemmings, said: “As the research from Vodafone shows, September is a perfect time for us to reflect on the year and set new goals, without the enormous pressure that the New Year can bring. The added pressure and stress that comes with ‘new year new you’ type resolutions often equate to a decrease in productivity, so using that post-summer energy to quietly focus on making improvements in your life can be a recipe for success for many.”

Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK said, “September is a key month in the tech calendar, with major industry launches - but it’s not just devices that get upgraded at this time of year. Our research shows that over eight million Brits actively make lifestyle changes during this month, whether it's fitness, learning a new skill, or upgrading their tech. This reinforces the idea that people use the start of Autumn to refresh both their personal lives and their devices.

With Vodafone Xchange, customers get the full value for their phone. If, when they come to exchange, their phone’s Trade-in value exceeds their remaining Phone Plan balance, Vodafone will credit them the difference.