Make your New Year’s resolutions stick

Clinically reviewed by Bryony Rhodes-Wort, written by Imogen Comrie on 18/12/2023

As the new year approaches, the air is charged with anticipation and the promise of new beginnings. For many, this means setting resolutions.

From getting fit to eating well, studies show that we in the UK will likely try to be healthier this January.

The science behind making resolutions stick goes beyond a mere declaration, and it’s so easy to drop a resolution or two as the realities of life get in the way.

To help you make 2024 the year you keep your resolutions, this article explores some practical strategies and shows how Simplyhealth can be your partner in achieving lasting health goals into the new year and beyond.

Wearable tech is a great way to stay motivated and accountable, with alerts on your watch telling you to get up and move after a period of stillness.

Seeing how much activity you’ve done over a week can feel amazing, and you can challenge yourself to increase every week.

Health, diet, and alcohol

According to YouGov "40% of resolutions are health-related." If yours are, too, smaller goals throughout the year will help you stick to your plan.

You could find a healthy-eating buddy to keep you on track at home or work. You’re more likely to stick to resolutions if framed positively.

So, if you want to eat healthier, add more vegetables and pulses to your meals rather than focusing on what you can’t have.

If you want to drink less alcohol, why not try introducing hangover-free days, where you know you’ll get to enjoy a morning with a clear head!

Quit smoking

The benefits of quitting are enormous. If you want 2024 to be the year you go smoke-free, try these top tips:

• You need to be ready to change. 
• Write down all the positive ways your life will change when you quit, and look at it if you’re having a wobble.
• Can you go cold turkey, or do you need a plan that takes a few months?
• Find your support network, whether that’s from friends, a therapist, or even with free NHS quit smoking app (Android, iOS)

Self-improvement: a happier you

Resolutions focused on self-improvement, like saving money or advancing a career, are close behind health-related ones. Go you!

Behavioural science tells us that clear goals are ten times more likely to be achieved, so if you need help to make sense of things and determine what actions you need to take, talking about your objectives with a counsellor can be helpful.

Simplyhealth's partnership with Health Assured offers members counselling and advice covering everything from career decisions to financial management and navigating life changes like separation and loss.