While creating your New Year’s resolutions, you may be striving for big dreams as well as small goals. Are you hoping for that “big” promotion or planning a dream vacation? Do you want to finally lose those 15 pounds and fit into clothes at the back of your closet? Whatever your plans for 2025 are, consider putting self-care resolutions at the top of your list. Including self-care in your resolutions can have a larger positive effect on all your resolutions. Taking time to focus on yourself and making sure you are healthy and thriving is something that can impact all you and even those loved ones around you.

Who doesn’t love a fresh start and a clean slate? There’s something so exciting about the beginning of a new year and all the possibilities the calendar change brings. Capitalize on the momentum after the holidays to kick start your well being for the year. Spend some time making New Year’s resolutions (call them “goals” if that makes it seem less daunting!) for areas you want to change and improve. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Make sure to write down all the attainable goals you desire, so you can frequently check back on progress. According to a recent survey from Yougov, the top 10 resolutions Americans listed for 2024 were:

• Saving more money (23%)
• Being happy (22%)
• Exercising more (21%)
• Improving physical health (21%)
• Eating healthier (20%)
• Improving mental health (19%)
• Losing weight (19%)
• Learning something new (16%)
• Reading more (15%)
• Spending more time with family (15%)

Isn’t it fascinating how many of those involve self-care and mental and physical well-being? Keep reading for ways to prioritize self-care this new year. 

Raise your hand if you’ve made resolutions and abandoned them within days or weeks? I know it's not just me because Baylor College of Medicine reports 88% of people who set New Year’s resolutions fail before the end of January. Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive vice chair of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at Baylor College of Medicine, says people tend to go too hard, too quickly, instead of taking small steps. He explains that the number one reason people may give up is because their goals are unachievable or idealistic. “It’s also good to start with a short-term goal. This can give instant gratification and help give you the confidence to strive for a long-term resolution,” Shah said. He also thinks the best year-round resolutions that are easy to achieve should focus on your overall well-being, which includes stress and mental health, physical health and financial health, all areas that connect to self-care.

So you may be wondering, “What are easy examples of self-care resolutions?” Self-care refers to anything that you do to keep yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually healthy. That creates a very wide umbrella to stack your self-care resolutions under. Here are seven attainable resolutions to incorporate: 

1. Eat Better - Instead of committing to a strict gluten-free, no sugar, no dairy extreme lifestyle change, consider adding in more fruits and vegetables and limiting simple carbohydrates. Also, pull back on the caffeine. *gasp* Yes, you read that right. I never suspected I could go without full leaded coffee, but I’ve been on decaf for a few months and I actually have more energy and still love my morning cup of joe!
2. Exercise Four Days A Week - I never went to the gym until this past summer when I turned 40 and committed to exercise. I’m so glad I did! I started working with a trainer and being consistent and that (along with clean eating) has made a huge difference in just five months! 
3. Get More Sleep - We all know we should set a bedtime reminder on our phone and actually stick to it. Shoot for at least seven hours of sleep (eight is best) and make sure to include wind-down time that *doesn’t* involve your phone! Confession, I’m still working on this one!
4. Keep a Gratitude Journal - This is practically free and only takes a few minutes but can make a world of difference. UCLA Health says research shows practicing gratitude - 15 minutes a day, five days a week - for at least six weeks can enhance mental wellness and possibly promote a lasting change in perspective. I’m grateful for that encouragement (see how easy that was? :)
5. Cut Back on Alcohol - This one has been in the news recently because the CDC issued a new warning that alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing at least seven types of cancers. Yikes! Since my birthday, I’ve really limited any alcohol to special occasions and I’ve been surprised at how much I haven’t missed it! 
6. Make Time For Family and Friends - We make time for what we want to make time for. There’s no excuse that you don’t have time to see friends or family with your busy schedule if you are constantly binging shows and scrolling social media. Carve out time once a week to catch up with a friend, or plan to do an activity you already planned to do (grocery shopping, manicure, take a walk) with a friend or relative! 
7. Plan a Vacation - Now this might be my favorite resolution, not that I need a new year to plan a trip! As I joke with my husband, traveling is my love language. Use all that saved up PTO and plan to go somewhere new! It doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Money saving tips include cashing in your credit card points, traveling during off-season to lesser-known spots, or even splitting the costs with some friends and booking a vacation rental. Either way, having a trip to look forward to is a huge boost for any self-care journey! My husband and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in the Maldives this month and I’m counting down the hours! 

Now that you’ve drafted your achievable and attainable self-care resolutions, here are some self-care products to go along with your list. Start your day with some lovely herbal tea and honey while you meditate, pray or write in your gratitude journal. If you are trying to plan out your gym workouts and time with family, consider using a planner. Rifle Paper Co. has some adorable ones that just make me want to organize my life! For those who want to pursue more faith in 2025, check out the Laurelbox Be Still Journaling Bible or the variety found at Alabaster. The artwork in them is lovely and so calming! If you are looking for an evening drink that feels special but doesn’t contain alcohol, try a Lime & Mint Topo Chico sparkling water and add a squeeze of fresh lime. Refreshing and delicious with no calories. I’m excited about starting a new parenting book that I’ve heard great things about called Habits of the Household that will be my evening phone-free downtime routine. 

I hope this New Years resolutions list was helpful in offering some practical ways to incorporate self-care into your 2025 goals. Take advantage of the fresh start January gives us by choosing achievable and attainable New Year's resolutions that will benefit you mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Plan to make small but deliberate changes and build from there. Self-care goals are important in your overall wellness. The self-care products I shared are all items I have used myself that I love and stand by. If you haven’t already, sit down and plan out your intentional self-care resolutions that will benefit yourself and those around you!