5 tips for setting healthy New Year's Resolutions

Thinking about setting a New Year's resolution for 2025? If so, you are not alone. More than one third of Americans¹ set a New Year's resolution or personal goal when the calendar turns over. And with 87% of respondents¹ saying they're at least somewhat likely to keep to their resolution throughout the year, it's clear that resolutions are a popular tool for enacting changes in our lives.

But many of us have also come up short when it comes to our goals for the New Year. That's why we've put together this list of five tips to keep in mind while coming up with a New Year's resolution. It isn't just important to identify what you'd like to do differently; you need to have a plan for incorporating the new behavior into your routine.

#1: Be realistic

When setting goals for the New Year, it's important to be realistic. Make sure to account for any potential difficulties that may arise while making a significant lifestyle change. For example, many people decide² they would like to get more exercise in the New Year. But if exercise isn't currently a part of your lifestyle, jumping straight into an intense workout regimen could be discouraging and prevent you from making lasting changes.

That goes for all New Year's resolutions. Make sure that you aren't expecting too much of yourself right away – you can always adjust the terms of your new lifestyle changes as the year goes on.

#2: Take it one step at a time

Consider mapping out your resolution in step-by-step fashion. What do you need to accomplish first to achieve your goal? What comes after that? By breaking up your resolution into a series of steps to take one at a time, making change will seem significantly more manageable. You're far less likely to be discouraged or overwhelmed if you keep your focus on your next step and not the full scope of your resolution.

#3: Get an accountability buddy

One of the best ways to commit to change is to share your goals with a friend or family member who will keep you accountable. You don't need to pick someone who shares your resolution, just someone who is willing to occasionally check in with you about your progress.

Accountability doesn't mean feeling ashamed or guilty if you let your resolution slip, and your buddy shouldn't chastise you if you do. But we are far less likely to commit to change without including friends and family on our journey.

#4: Be patient with yourself

One surefire way to doom a resolution is to be hard on yourself when you struggle with your progress. Any resolution worth making will require some effort. If you slip up, consider it a stumbling block on your road to success and keep pushing ahead.

Remember: Progress isn't linear. We all experience setbacks sometimes, and often these setbacks teach us lessons that allow us to succeed in the future.

#5: Don't forget your finances

New year is a great time to consider changes you can make to live a healthier lifestyle. But while you're contemplating gym memberships and new dietary guidelines, don't forget about the changes you can make to be more financially secure in the new year.

Some ideas are obvious: Save a little more, eat out a little less. But Allstate Benefits offers a host of supplemental benefits like Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Life Insurance that are designed to provide relief when unexpected events disrupt your life—and your finances. Should the worst happen, having additional financial protection will allow you to spend more time focusing on the things that matter the most, not your finances.

We hope this list will help you not just choose effective New Year's resolutions, but help you stick to them. If you'd like to learn more about Allstate Benefits supplemental benefit options, please visit our website or contact a sales representative for more information.

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