New Year’s resolutions may seem like a modern invention, but the practice of enhancing one’s life at the beginning of January dates back centuries: Historians indicate that ancient Romans dedicated the first month of the new year to promises, offerings and self-reflection.
And yet, no matter how entrenched the tradition of goal-setting might be, you may have grown tired with the entire concept of start-of-the-year drastic changes.
For a good cause, too: While some surveys suggest that nearly 40 percent of American adults “commit” to a New Year’s resolution, the average self-made vow typically lasts 3.74 months. Indeed, the custom of giving up has become increasingly and almost comically ubiquitous: “Quitter’s Day” falls on the second Friday of January, and January 17th has been unofficially crowned “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day”—not even three weeks after thousands clink what they claim will be their last glass of champagne. Is it any wonder why the vast majority of us have become tepid about the whole endeavor?
The New York Times bestselling author and founder of The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin is one of many above-the-marquee names who has taken a different tactic: Establishing micro-goals that will lead to a healthier, more meaningful existence rather than pledging a lofty aim that’s bound to end in failure.
Attainable aspirations and micr0-change are just that: Within reach and, most of the time, a cinch—and a joy—to embrace. What’s more, the ease of adopting small tweaks and achieving accessible dreams fuels your internal fire and can sustain you long after January 17th.
With this in mind, below you’ll find 26 for 2026, or 26 profound but workable objectives. And while goals of any kind are deeply subjective, there’s one aspect of New Year’s resolutions that should hold steady: they ought to be intentions that are rooted in self-development and wellness. Feel free to adjust them as you wish, but say it with us now: “In 2026, I will…”
New Year, New Goals: 26 Ideas for 2026
1. Eat my pro and prebiotics
The importance of bolstering the health of your gut microbiome peaked somewhere in the late 2010s, when researchers and journalists alike began emphasizing its connection to everything from mental health to collagen production. Thankfully so, as your gut microbiota acts as your second brain, and influences your cardiovascular wellness, immunity and metabolism (and that’s just the start of it).
Pro and prebiotics are a tried-and-true way to ensure your belly boasts the ideal blend of positive and negative bacteria. That said, experts agree that you may be better off consuming them instead of relying on a capsule. To this end, consider braiding the following into your diet:
Don’t have a taste for these eats? Invest in a quality supplement. Garden of Life’s Raw Probiotics for Women contains 32 probiotic strains to naturally promote overall digestive function.
2. Invest in my dental health
Amidst all the buzz surrounding the desire to slim down and tone up—two of the most prevalent New Year’s resolutions on the planet—it can be all too easy to forget about your foundational health.
This, naturally, includes your teeth, and not just the appearance of them.
Unsound dental health can contribute to a host of health issues that extend beyond cavities, tooth loss and a less-than-confident smile: Recent research reveals that periodontal disease may have a tremendous impact on your brain and heart, and can play a part in cardiovascular disease, stroke and even Alzheimer’s disease.
In other words? In addition to practicing consistent oral hygiene, be sure to have a professional cleaning done every six months, coupled with a comprehensive exam. This can help you prevent costly, painful problems—and that alone is a reason to grin.
3. Find my sunshine
Literally. A mere fifteen minutes of unadulterated sunshine (read: no sunscreen) per day may boost your serotonin levels, moderate your circadian rhythm and encourage the production of vitamin D—a vital nutrient that’s crucial to bone health, muscle strength and mood.
4. Marie Kondo my devices
Few things may be more irksome than realizing you’ve paid yet another month for an app you’ve used all of twice, receiving an alert on your phone that takes you directly to a photo of your ex, or having your laptop crash minutes before a deadline.
The solution?
Dedicating an hour each month to decluttering your devices.
Go through your apps and delete those you no longer need. Erase duplicate and unwanted photos. Empty the rubbish on your laptop, clean out your contacts, purge your downloads and delete those alarms you set for 3 a.m. when you were overseas. Not only will your devices work with greater speed and efficiency, but you’ll feel cleaner.
5. …and take a calculated look at my closet
Spring cleaning isn’t solely reserved for May: Whether you decide to tackle your wardrobe once a month or once a season, be sure to add it to your list of to-dos: Clothes and shoes you no longer want can take up unnecessary space, trigger memories you’re keen on forgetting and hold you back from substituting them for items that make you feel fresh. The notion of “one in, one out” has become a platitude for a reason: It’s a simple but successful way to keep your closet in check.
6. Refuse to eat from a package once a week
One of the challenges of creating New Year’s resolutions? The absolutes behind them.
Cutting out all processed foods, for example, may be close-to-impossible for some (especially if they need to eat in a pinch), but dedicating one day a week to not eating out of a package is more than doable.
Think of whole foods, such as a hardboiled egg with sliced avocado and tomato for breakfast, a salad overflowing with organic veggies for lunch and a piece of fish, sauteed in citrus, for dinner. The lightness you may feel from dining on unprocessed eats may spur you to weave more of them into your diet—organically, and without the black-and-white thinking that tends to lead us to poor decisions.
7. Suss out coffee alternatives
Coffee isn’t just a “must” for many: for some, it’s one of life’s biggest pleasures. And yet, if you’ve noticed that your coffee consumption has skyrocketed in recent months (thank the holidays, daylight savings and cooler temps, when a hot cup of java sounds even more enticing) and you’ve felt its aftereffects—like a racing pulse and fighting with the sheets—consider a few alternatives.
Matcha, for one, bolsters brain function much in the same way that coffee delivers a cognitive hit, but lacks the crash that comes two hours post-cappuccino. (Matcha is also jam-packed with antioxidants.)
Meanwhile, a golden milk latte, bursting with mentally stimulating turmeric, may help you soldier through your afternoon slump without once thinking about Starbucks.
Happen to be curious about mushroom coffee? Experiment. Many of the blends on the market are rich in adaptogens that can squash stress and fortify concentration. One to try: Dr. Mercola’s Biodynamic Organic Mushroom Coffee. Featuring 500mg of lion’s mane mushrooms per serving, the earthy blend naturally promotes energy and mental clarity.
8. Befriend my local farmers
Farmers’ markets are veritable goldmines that turn stocking up on supplies into a party. Not only do they offer a wealth of fresh, organic produce—oftentimes at economical prices—but they also provide you with the chance to meet the people behind the product. This may deepen your appreciation for the food you consume, while also giving you an “in” you didn’t know you needed in your life, whether that’s intel to the best time to buy tomatoes or invitations to community events. Above all? You’ll be nurturing yourself and your region’s sustainability.
9. Strengthen my pelvic floor
Only rarely do we give thought to the importance of our pelvic floors. And why should we? Unlike our arms or abs, our pelvic floors aren’t exactly on display, nor do they seem as critical to tone as, say, our triceps or legs.
And yet, your pelvic floor is paramount: It informs your posture, impacts the health of your pelvic organs, fends off incontinence and influences your sex life.
As such, make a point of performing the following moves two to three times per week:
- Bridge
- Birddog
- Kegels
- Pelvic tilts
- Squats
Best part yet? You can practice two of these (that’d be Kegels and pelvic tilts) on your commute!
10. Baby my cuticles
Manicures and pedicures are a treat for some and standard for others. Wherever you may be on the spectrum, aim to nourish your cuticles with an oil, cream or vitamin E. Doing so will enrich the overall appearance of your nails, prevent dryness and cracking, and help you ward off hangnails.
11. …and give my hair greater consideration
Your hair isn’t just for show: As the second fastest growing tissue in your body, it’s a direct reflection of your interior wellness. A dry, itchy scalp, brittle strands, excessive shedding: All may be less-than-subtle signs that something is amiss.
In addition to analyzing the health of your strands and reaching out to your healthcare professional if you notice any troubling changes, ensure that you’re obtaining sufficient amounts of selenium, omega-3s, vitamin C and biotin. These nutrients, and more, are key to optimal health and a lustrous mane.
12. Simplify my skincare routine
The sheer amount of skincare noise has resulted in dwindling bank accounts, questions of self-worth and even a new pathology—what doctors are now describing as dermorexia (or an obsession with skincare). Ironically, trying to live up to unrealistic expectations set forth on social media may ramp up your stress and contribute to, or exacerbate, skin conditions, such as acne, frown lines and premature wrinkles.
In truth, you don’t need a giant arsenal of spendy skincare products or a punch card at your cosmetic dermatologist’s office. Rather, internalizing the fact that your skin is an organ—and one that benefits from an abundance of nutrients and a scarcity of pollutants—will allow your natural dewiness to surface. That, and a simple skincare routine comprised of just a few products: a gentle cleanser, an exfoliant once or twice a week, a quality moisturizer, a serum that targets your goals or issues (i.e.: retinol for fine lines, or vitamin C for a brighter complexion) and sunscreen.
Not sure where to start? Search for products that swim with ceramides: they work with a variety of skin types and organically smooth and soften.
13. Design my ideal day
All too often, our time off is dedicated to either drudgery—like laundry, cleaning and errands—or social commitments. Over time, this can lead to professional and personal burnout and leave you far from enthused about returning to your place of employment.
This is a treadmill of its own kind, complete with similar monotony. Resolve, then, to design your ideal day. For some, this may be defined by sleeping in, lingering over The New York Times and gardening for a few hours before dining out at the hottest new spot in town. For others, it may involve rising at dawn for a morning surf session, visiting a museum and cuddling under the covers with a novel. However yours looks, insist on fulfilling at least part of it on a regular basis. This will ignite your spirit and enable you to decompress, which is precisely the combo you need to return to work refreshed.
14. Indulge in exercise snacks
Does the very idea of dialing up your exercise routine leave you feeling pressed?
If so, it’s understandable; life is busy as is. And yet, “shaping up,” so to speak, needn’t be about running a marathon or incorporating 90 minutes of daily CrossFit into your life: Merely moving more during your waking hours will bring unspeakable rewards. Indeed, data indicates that exercise snacks—or short bursts of activity—may elevate your metabolism, improve your muscle strength and boost your circulation. These brief bouts of exercise are especially crucial if you have a sedentary lifestyle or occupation, and are an optimal way to stretch your body and give your brain a break. Consider setting your timer and taking hourly pauses for:
- A 10 minute walk
- Two minutes of holding plank
- 10 to 20 jumping jacks
- 60 seconds of jumping rope
- 90 seconds of wall push-ups
- Seven sun salutations
Sound too rigid for your taste? Pop in your earbuds and spend a song’s length of time dancing around your kitchen.
15. Increase my mineral intake
Vitamins may get all the attention, but minerals are just as significant. While you might obtain the majority of the minerals you need from the foods you eat—particularly if your diet stars nuts, seeds, legumes and dark, leafy greens—you might want to raise your levels with a supplement.
Iron, for instance, is essential for maintaining that pep in your step and keeping your hair healthy. The trace mineral zinc is also responsible for influencing over a hundred enzymatic reactions. As for magnesium? Its rise to prominence on social is for a solid reason: the mighty mineral has a hand in everything from nerve function to blood pressure. (Remember, that “sleepy girl mocktail” that went viral brims with magnesium powder.) See its effects for yourself with Nutri’s Triple Magnesium, which blends magnesium glycinate, malate and taurinate to organically encourage healthy aging.
16. Rediscover my love of leisure reading
Fact: Reading for the sheer joy of it has declined across the board, with some surveys showing that diving into a book for fun has fallen out of favor by 40 percent. What a shame it is, too, as reading not only flexes your mental muscles but may also foster longevity: An older study published in Social Science & Medicine found that those 50 and older who read on a regular basis boasted a 20 percent lower risk of dying over the next twelve years than their non-reading peers.
Further, reading for as little as 20 minutes per day may expose you to 1.8 million words annually. You don’t have to dust off your copy of Crime and Punishment, either: blog posts, periodicals and classic “beach reads” have the same effect.
17. Spend with soul
If one of your aspirations for 2026 is to get your finances in order and start investing, weigh the notion that every dollar you spend or invest qualifies as voting. Whether you’re buying stocks or purchasing new footwear, consider whether the company aligns with your core principles, such as sustainability, transparency and fair wages. Eager for some direction? Here are seven socially responsible funds to examine.
18. …and buy myself a pair of cozy pajamas
“Sleep hygiene” takes on new significance when you find yourself anticipating pulling on your nightwear. Indeed, an ultra-comfy pair of flannel PJs or a soft nightgown can signal to your brain that rest on its way, which may allow you to begin down-cycling from the day and prepping for slumber.
19. Train my mind
We bend and stretch our bodies, exercise in the name of cardiovascular wellness and test our endurance by adding on another mile. What, though, are we doing to extend our brains’ capacities?
For years, the belief that our brains are static entities prevailed, but recent research into the field of neuroplasticity demonstrates that new neurons can be cultivated in certain regions of the brain in a process dubbed neurogenesis. Rather remarkably, engaging in novel experiences—whether that’s mastering a new recipe or learning a foreign language—changes the actual physical structure of your brain while simultaneously warding off cognitive decline and the complications that come with it.
Enhance your mental fitness by:
- Playing word games, such as Scrabble, Wordle, or Spelling Bee
- Working on a jigsaw puzzle
- “Single-tasking” to stay emotionally, mentally present rather than juggling multiple projects and obligations
- Practicing meditation
- Prioritizing social connections
- Exercising regularly
- Taking alternative routes while driving
- Reading expansively
- Nixing distractions when working
- Listening to a wide range of music
The upside? All of these activities are also surefire ways to mitigate stress—which ultimately impairs memory and decision, releases a cascade of stress hormones, shrinks the hippocampus and even damages hearing.
20. Relish carbs before the sun sets
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions that often crash and burn: Eliminating entire food groups.
This is particularly true of carbohydrates, which have been vilified in recent years and ditched entirely by some in pursuit of a slender waistline. While it’s true that excess carbs can contribute to weight gain—especially if refined sugar, like chips and pastries, are your go-to “medications”—complex carbs are necessary for overall wellness.
The trick to eating them without seeing an uptick on your scale? Consuming them primarily during the day.
Experts suggest that loading up on carbs at night may disrupt sleep, cause surges in blood sugar, and increase fat storage (to say nothing of its potential effect on developing type 2 diabetes). Besides, you’ll torch carbs more efficiently during daylight hours.
To this end, eat the lion’s share of your carbs before dusk—and emphasize complex, or carbs that feature starches and fiber. A few winners to add to your playbook:
- Steel-cut oatmeal with fresh blueberries
- Popcorn drizzled with olive oil and vitamin B-rich brewer’s yeast
- Edamame with Himalayan pink sea salt
- Carrot sticks and hummus
- Whole grain bread topped with organic peanut butter
- Apple slices paired with cheddar cheese
As for that cinnamon roll you’ve been craving? Savor a small section of it, but with your morning coffee.
21. Have that difficult conversation
We all have that “difficult conversation” that’s been hovering over us (and for some, it may be more than one). It’s that challenging discussion with your teenager about his recent behavior. It’s that apology you’ve yet to make. It’s that frank talk with your boss about your salary. Whatever it may be, it’s led to more than one sleepless night—and also haunts you during the day.
Only you can decide the best time for attempting it, but aim to approach your loved one/colleague/higher-up/neighbor when you’re calm, collected…and in a psychological space where you can listen attentively, speak with compassion and stay present. As taxing as the thought of putting it out in the open might be, know that getting your thoughts off your chest will lead to liberation.
22. Build an emergency fund—or contribute to it
An unforeseen divorce, a sudden illness, a tragic death in the family, the loss of employment, a natural disaster that renders you temporarily homeless: All may seem worlds’ away until one or more of these curveballs come sailing in your direction. To phrase it differently, “black swan events” are often inevitable.
What is escapable is handling them with aplomb—and this is where ample preparation for the unpredictable becomes imperative. This doesn’t only mean possessing an emergency financial fund to cushion you during a transition, either. Putting “coin in the bank” just as easily translates to taking necessary health precautions, prioritizing your spirituality and mental wellness, caring for your relationships, seeing to your professional aspirations and working on your integrity and resilience. Meaning, the more stable you are in every major realm of your life—economically, socially, professionally, and psychologically—the better equipped you’ll be to manage adversity.
For some, this may mean transferring more money each month into their savings. For others, it may mean reconnecting with their spiritual practices. For others still, it may mean finally getting around to those medical tests their doctors have been encouraging. Whatever your unique case may be, building an emergency fund will allow you to stand as a pillar of strength no matter what comes your way.
23. Experiment with at least one new recipe or ingredient every month
It can be all too easy to get stuck in a food rut by eating the same foods day in and day out. While your diet may include an impressive range of vitamins and minerals, introducing new, healthy eats can help ensure your full dietary needs are met. Plus, unfamiliar foods can tantalize your taste buds—and leave you feeling adventurous.
Whether you decide to try your hand at whisking up an Indian side dish or have always been curious about lesser-known produce like mangosteen or watermelon radish is beside the point: What’s relevant is that you select dishes and ingredients that abound with vital nutrients, such as:
- Spring rolls filled with herbs, seafood and crisp vegetables
- Vegetable korma with tofu or organic chicken breast
- Chana masala
- French lentil and carrot soup
24. Refine my posture
Achy and fatigued?
Consider your literal stance: Poor posture can wreak havoc on how you physically and mentally feel, while also upping your risk of experiencing back pain, digestive issues and stress incontinence.
Fortunately, there are dozens of ways to improve your poise. Apps like Smart Posture, Text Neck, and Perfect Posture were designed to send you kind reminders to straighten your spine and refocus your attention on the status of your back, neck and shoulders; many also offer exercises crafted specifically for spinal health.
Already have more apps than you need on your phone? In addition to heeding #4, simply set a timer and use that alert to a) assess your slump, b) stand and stretch (for the deskbound among us), or c) engage in an activity that will provide both strength and relief, such as:
- Scapular retractions
- Wall angels
- Cobra pose
- Chin tucks
- Superman
- Deadbug
The end result? Better blood flow—and the brighter mood and heightened energy that comes with it.
25. Internalize the importance of tapas
And no, we don’t mean potato bravas and Padron peppers served at your favorite Spanish restaurant: In Sanskrit, “tapas” signifies devotion, self-discipline and what some refer to as “burning enthusiasm.” Falling under the third of Patanjali’s niyamas, or observances, tapas is powering through a barre routine when you’re ready to throw in the towel, rising early to honor your wish for a run, controlling your emotions to see through a daunting moment, or giving that extra push to finish an assignment.
Why is conditioning this muscle, if you will, indispensable?
Because all too often, we rely on motivation to go after and accomplish our goals. Motivation is fickle at best—and famed for fading when we’re tired or not emotionally invested. Discipline, on the other hand, is non-negotiable, and, with commitment, can leave you feeling virtuous (if not indestructible).
26. …and eliminate “when” and “once” from your internal monologue
We’re all guilty of it: We say, either to ourselves or our loved ones, that we’ll be happy and feel fulfilled, however you might describe it, “when” and “once” we’ve attained our desires: When I lose ten pounds, once get married, when I buy a house, once I finish my law degree, when I have children—and so on, ad infinitum.
The thing is, life is happening now, in 2026, and there’s not a shred of a reason why you shouldn’t be experiencing genuine joy on a daily basis. It may be a cliché, but life is about the journey, not the destination—and every step you take to accomplish your definition of “26 for 2026” is a cause for celebration.
Featured Products
