Creatix / January 4, 2025
As we begin 2026, millions of people around the world are thinking about fresh starts, healthier habits, and meaningful changes. New Year’s resolutions remain a powerful tradition, even if many of them fizzle out by February without clear planning and accountability. (Wikipedia)
Based on recent surveys and perennial trends, here’s a look at the top 5 most common New Year resolutions for 2026, plus three bold resolutions to consider (including quitting social media, alcohol, and health supplements), and practical strategies for sticking with your goals.
Most Popular New Year Resolutions for 2026
1. Weight
Resolving to lose weight by becoming more physically active continues to top the list. Around a quarter of Americans say they plan to focus on exercise in 2026, up from previous years. (YouGov) As usual, expect gyms and fitness facilities to be packed this January. By March, it will be back to normal. Eating better (more whole foods, fewer processed foods, or balanced moderation) is consistently near the top of resolution lists and ties closely with fitness and weight-loss goals. (YouGov)
2. Money
Finances dominate many people’s goal lists for 2026. Surveys show saving more money and boosting financial health are among the biggest intentions as households brace for economic uncertainties. (YouGov)
3. Well-Being
Being happier, reducing stress, and focusing on mental health are increasingly common resolutions, especially among younger adults. (YouGov)
Three Resolutions to Consider for 2026
Beyond the traditional goals above, these three “quit” resolutions are powerful choices if you’re aiming for deeper personal change:
1. Quit Alcohol
First, the good news: alcohol consumption is at record or near-record lows, especially among younger adults. More people are choosing sober curiosity, alcohol-free months, or permanent abstinence, not because of moral pressure, but simply because the cost-benefit math no longer works.
Alcohol can impact sleep, mood, weight, long-term health, and your finances. It can also get you killed, injured, or in all sorts of trouble. It's simply not worth it. Quitting is the best option.
Why Zero Is Better Than Any Alcohol
For decades, alcohol was framed as “safe in moderation.” That view is rapidly changing. Current research increasingly shows that there is no harmless baseline level of alcohol consumption.
Alcohol is a poisonous neurotoxin, not a nutrient
Even small amounts trigger detox pathways in the liver and brain. The body treats alcohol as a poison every time.-
Sleep disruption starts at low doses
One drink may feel relaxing, but it fragments deep sleep and REM cycles, leading to poorer recovery and next-day fatigue. -
Cancer risk rises from the first drink
The relationship between alcohol and cancer is linear, not threshold-based. Less is better; none is best. -
Dopamine distortion, even at “moderate” levels
Alcohol artificially spikes dopamine, subtly training the brain to associate relaxation or reward with a chemical shortcut rather than natural recovery. -
No upside you can’t get elsewhere
The benefits once attributed to alcohol (social bonding, stress relief, cardiovascular effects) can be achieved more safely through exercise, sleep, diet, and real social connection.
Practical Tip for Giving Up Drinking in 2026
Instead of framing this as “giving something up,” reframe it as gaining freedom by avoiding a toxin that literally intoxicates your brain and body. Many people start with:
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A 30- or 90-day alcohol-free period
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Alcohol-free social swaps (mocktails, sparkling water, zero-proof spirits)
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Tracking sleep, mood, and energy changes to see the benefits firsthand
For many, what begins as a break becomes a permanent upgrade once the brain gets used to.
Quit Health Supplements (Or at Least “De-Clutter” Them)
While deficiencies may be harmful, excess doesn't mean benefit and can also be harmful. When it comes to health supplements, a "less-is-more" approach may prove healthy and financially wise. This is especially true if you’re taking supplements without medical guidance, based on reviews. What works well for someone else may not work for you. In many cases, the evidence for everyday supplement stacks is mixed, and for a lot of products, studies show small, inconsistent, or no meaningful benefits for generally healthy people.
Do studies prove supplements work?
Some supplements do have strong evidence in specific situations (for example, correcting a true deficiency or supporting a defined medical need). But many popular supplements are supported by: weak or conflicting studies; small effects that don’t replicate well; and surrogate outcomes (improving a lab marker without improving real-world health). A simple rule: supplements are best as “gap-fillers,” not as a lifestyle replacement for sleep, diet, exercise, and stress management.
It is important to note that the health supplement industry is surprisingly unregulated (compared to medicines). In many countries (including the U.S.), supplements are regulated more like food than like drugs. That means most supplements do not require pre-market proof that they work; quality can vary between brands and even between batches; labels can be misleading, and “proprietary blends” can hide exact dosages; and some products have issues with contamination, adulteration, or inaccurate labeling.
If you do take supplements, look for independent third-party testing (common examples people use: USP, NSF, Informed Choice), and avoid anything making drug-like promises.
The cost can be quietly huge. Supplements often become a subscription lifestyle: $30 here, $40 there, and suddenly you’re spending hundreds (or thousands) per year for products that most likely add little measurable benefit. Quitting can be one of the fastest “financial health” wins of the year.
Practical Tip for 2026
Get targeted, not trendy. Talk with a doctor or registered dietitian and use labs/symptoms to decide what you actually need. Then: keep only what’s clearly justified (deficiency, pregnancy, medically advised). Stop the “maybe it helps” pills for 60–90 days and reassess. Track outcomes you care about (sleep, energy, digestion, anxiety, training recovery).
By quitting health supplements in 2026, chances are that you will save money, reduce unnecessary risk, and end up with a plan that’s simpler and more effective long-term. You'll thank us in 2027 and beyond.
3. Quit Social Media
Many people feel overwhelmed, distracted, or anxious from constant social media. Deciding to cut back (or quit entirely) can: improve focus and productivity; boost real-world social connections; and reduce comparison-based anxiety.
Digital wellness is gaining traction in 2026. About 20-plus percent of people cite spending less time on social media as a goal for 2026. (Statista)
Tip: Start with specific limits (e.g., no social apps before 7 pm) and replace time spent online with a hobby or physical activity. Read more. Exercise more. Meditate more. Just stay away from the mindless scroll.
How to Make Your Resolutions Stick
Resolutions are easy to make and hard to keep. Simple strategies can dramatically improve your success rate:
Be Specific
Vague goals like “get healthier” don’t provide direction. Instead, choose specific metrics like "walk 10,000 steps every day.
Break Goals Down
Large goals become more achievable when broken into bite-sized milestones. Go step by step.
Track Progress
Using a habit tracker, journal, or app can keep your goals visible and measurable, boosting accountability.
Get Support
Join an accountability group or team up with a partner.
Be Flexible
Change doesn’t happen overnight or in a straight line. Expect setbacks. Reset goals when needed rather than abandoning them entirely.
New Year’s resolutions reflect our desire for progress, meaning, and self-improvement. While exercise, healthy eating, and savings show up on many lists in 2026, bold personal changes like quitting social media, alcohol, or unnecessary supplements can reshape life in deeper ways if approached with clarity and structure.
Now you know it.
www.creatix.one (creating meaning)
consultingbooks.com (smart alternatives to dumb scrolling)
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