If you were hoping to make some New Year’s resolutions for 2024, don’t fret that it’s the second week of January already.
In a recent survey conducted by OnePoll, 34% of respondents said they believe that January is the best month to start working toward a new goal or habit, 14% said February, and 12% said that any month is fine. Also, 40% of participants said they prefer to kick off work toward their goals gradually (10% said they like to jump in full force).
The effort queried 2,000 US adults in October. That the survey was sponsored by The Vitamin Shoppe and dietary supplement brand Ancient Nutrition probably doesn’t surprise you, given that so many of our annual promises to ourselves revolve around health and wellness.
In fact, the top categories for goals, according to a Talker report on the survey, include relationships and friendships (51%), physical health (49%), socializing (44%) and mental health (39%).
Making resolutions is popular, survey results show. Three-fourths (75%) of respondents said they set at least one resolution each new year, and another 12% said they set resolutions, but not necessarily every year.
“The New Year can be an ideal time to set resolutions and goals, because it’s a chance for a fresh start and a clean slate,” said Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNS, co-founder of Ancient Nutrition and a member of The Vitamin Shoppe’s Wellness Council. “Lots of people are setting goals at this time, so you can feel supported and part of something bigger than just yourself.”
Forty percent of poll-takers said that the way to keep a resolution is to “start small,” even though 42% of respondents said they preferred to make long-term goals; 27% said they preferred to make short-term goals.
Respondents said that goals, on average, should be attained within five months, but if not successful, 54% of respondents said they would just start over. Most of the adults taking the survey said they viewed resolutions as a motivator (63%), a tradition (50%) or a way to improve their health (44%).
Axe said that it’s important for people to tailor their resolutions to their own health and lifestyle, because everyone is different.
“Resolutions and goals, whether long-term or short-term, can be powerful motivators for each of us to work towards improving our health and sense of well-being,” Axe said. He recommended that resolutions be specific, measurable and achievable. “Wellness is a lifelong journey, and resolutions and goals can be helpful reminders and incentives along the way,” he added.
Wishing you much happiness and success on your journey.
Lois A. Bowers is the editor of McKnight’s Senior Living. Read her other columns here.
