A fresh start: your guide to smarter New Year’s resolutions for 2026

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We’ve reached that point on the calendar where many people reflect on what has come and gone and what they’re hoping for in the new year. If you’re a person who makes resolutions like “I’m going to lose 10 pounds” or “I’m going to spend more time with my family and friends,” January often feels like a fresh start.

According to Google Trends, this past week has seen a spike in search queries for “new years resolutions” and “new years goals,” indicating that right now is the ideal time to prepare for your best year yet in 2026.

We’ve seen that most people often set resolutions that fall into the following categories: Health & Wellness, Personal Development & Hobbies, Finances & Career, Relationships & Social Life and Lifestyle & Habits. Let’s break down different ways to help keep these resolutions this year.

Health & Wellness

How many times have you said,”If I could just lose these last five pounds, my jeans would fit better”? Changing eating habits, hitting the gym or taking a walk after dinner all seem like simple habits to adopt. Now with calorie-counting apps on our phones, popular watches and rings on our wrists and fingers to monitor our step counts and giant water bottles on desks and in backpacks–for adults and kids alike–assistance in maintaining healthy food and fitness habits is readily available.  

But what about managing stress and improving mental health? Studies show that more hours of sleep or longer periods of deep sleep help brain health and lower stress levels. Meditation apps have also gained in popularity, encouraging five to 10 minutes a day of mindfulness. 

Personal Development & Hobbies

Maybe 2026 is the year to start that passion project you’ve kept on the back burner for the last few months. Gallery wall of the kids? Building a vegetable garden? Or maybe you want to travel to Spain but become fluent in Spanish before landing in Barcelona. Exploring new cities and countries and immersing yourself in the culture are great ways to grow as an individual. 

Finances & Career

While we all might want to be the big Powerball winner (please let it be us this year!), there are other ways to get your finances in order. You can start small by creating a weekly or monthly budget for yourself and your family or you can look into saving money by opening a savings account or investing in the stock market. 

We constantly hear that the job market has been stagnant as of late but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Ask your boss if you can take on some different projects to help diversify your day-to-day responsibilities. If you think it’s time for a change, but you don’t feel the right opportunity is calling your name, spend some time updating your resume so that when a job does open up, you’re ready to apply.

Relationships & Social Life

Let’s make 2026 the year we spend quality time with our friends and family.  Reconnecting with people you’ve lost touch with is a great way to walk down memory lane, but it’s also a chance to reignite a relationship with that person at a new stage of life. Calling Grandma once a week will let you feel better and also give her something to look forward to.  

Lifestyle & Habits

Many of us are glued to our phones, but what if we reduce our screen time a little bit each day? Let’s live in the moment and not through the lens of technology. If you’re going to a concert, listen to the music and dance to your favorite song – it’s okay to put your phone down and not record a video. Odds are someone else at the show is already doing that for you! 

Volunteering is another great healthy habit to adopt. Organizations are always looking for helping hands– no contribution is too small. From animal shelters to senior living centers to tutoring and cleaning your local park, your time is often the best gift you can give someone.

So cheers to a new year and a new you in 2026! Hope it’s a healthy one!