Resolutions To Make You Happier and Healthier In 2025
New year's resolutions – tired and "over"? The cold, dark dreariness of January is enough to give anyone post-holiday blues, leading many to rebel against the idea of adding restrictions on anything that brings a smidgen of joy. And in fact, a whopping 88% of people who make New Year's resolutions break them as soon as that sparkly 31 December dress is back in the wardrobe. But resolutions can still work – the trick is to find one that you're looking forward to, rather than one that feels like a punishment. To find one you'll actually stick to, read on.
By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert.
Eat more plant-based
You know we were going to say this one, right? Well, it's a no-brainer: not only is a plant-based diet a huge help in the fight against the climate crisis, getting more plants on your plate is also very good for your health (no surprises there). A well-planned plant-based diet can help lower the risk of heart disease, help heal gut health, and minimise your risk of some cancers. Going plant-based can be delicious: no need to deprive yourself. Restaurants, takeaway chains, and supermarkets are bursting at the seams with vegan options these days - even more so once Veganuary starts.
Walk more
Okay, ten thousand steps per day might be a myth, but you still want to get as many in as you can. Walking boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens immune function, and can even help tame a sweet tooth! But walking can also be beneficial to mental health - just ask Mia Lind, the creator behind social media trend Hot Girl Walk, which has now blossomed into a full-grown movement with international events. "The biggest transformations are the ones that start internally", Lind has said. Her trademark walks focus on gratitude, confidence, and goal setting - and participants find it easier to tune into themselves when walking. So, how many steps should you actually be getting every day? Studies show that 5k is enough - but if you want to go for that 10, it certainly won't hurt.
Get dedicated to a cause
Finding a cause and getting active is not only a great way to make the world a better place - it's also a healthy thing to do. Who knew? Research shows that volunteers report better health than non-volunteers, and have a lower mortality. Plus, getting active can help you meet new people, and active friendships have a great impact on health, both mental and physical. Christmas is a time of year when lots of people get into volunteering, but there is a lot to be said for keeping it up even once the season of good will has passed. Don't have time to get out there? Get active on social media, share your cause, write about it, make digital content. There are a lot of ways to get active, and all of them create connections, boost health, and help the world.
Find a form of exercise you enjoy
Dragging yourself to the gym? That's not 2025 style. Psychology experts have said that using guilt as a motivation is ineffective and can harm your mental health. So, to truly reap all the benefits exercise offers in 2025, find a form of movement you actually like. Be it a team sport, yoga, pilates, dance, or indeed the gym, make sure it's something you actually don't mind doing. Take into consideration the factors that make exercise fun and worthwhile for you: time of day, indoors or outdoors, alone or with others. And try different things! Experiment until you land on a workout schedule that suits you. Once you do, the benefits are endless.
Drop fast fashion
The devastating impact of fast fashion on the environment is well documented, but how will breaking up with cheap clothing make you healthier? Turns out, toxic chemicals such as nanoparticles and triclosan in the garments (which also make garment workers ill at an alarming rate) can be harmful to health. These substances can enter our bloodstream and contribute to hormone imbalances and even cancer risk. Shop sustainable brands - alongside the planet, your health will also thank you.
Learn to cook
Prioritise rest
This is one that all of us could do with putting on our list of priorities - a list that grows so quickly that time for rest is pretty much non-existent for many. But taking time to recharge is not only beneficial to mental and physical health, it can also improve creativity and productivity. And no, resting does not mean scrolling online - that pervasive habit is actually detrimental to health. Truly unplugging means putting your phone away and taking in your surroundings, allowing your brain time to unwind. Learning to relax without distractions will revolutionise your well-being - even more reason to book some time off in 2025.
By Sascha Camilli
About Sascha
Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or read her newsletter Kind of Wild. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cover image by Kateryna Hliznitsova. Second photo by Kelly Sikkema, both via Unsplash.
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