As we get ready to ring in 2023, many people resolve to take better care of themselves; in fact, a new poll of 1,005 adults from Forbes health shows that 45% of all respondents said improving their mental health is one of their top resolutions for 2023.

We all know that we start off with the best intentions of keeping our resolutions, but three months into the year we tend to lose focus and slide into old habits. Studies show that out of the 41% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions, only 9% were successful in keeping them. Regardless, making New Year’s resolutions is still a good idea as it helps give an optimistic look into the future, which in turn, motivates you into action.

3 reasons why setting New Year’s resolutions is important

1. Resolutions can provide a fresh start – New Year, new YOU! Creating a New Year’s resolution is a great way to kick off the new year, almost like hitting the “reset” button. You get to set new goals, or revisit old ones, and determine how you want to tackle them. Want to meditate more? Get back into journaling? Spend more time with friends and family? Whatever it is, New Year’s resolutions allow for you to reflect and refocus.
   
2. Resolutions can provide clarity for goals – Writing out a list of goals provides you with direction. They allow you to plan your course for the future. Without goals, you end up wasting your time, money and energy, which leads to feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for opportunities that may arise.
   
3.  Resolutions can make us feel good – Ever accomplish something that seemed impossible at first? That is what it feels like when you make a commitment to yourself and keep it. Resolutions are the same way. Vowing to make improvements to your life and hitting those milestones is such a great feeling and encourages you to keep going. No matter what it is, nothing feels better than proving to yourself you can do anything you put your mind to.

Ultimately, humans are at their best when they have a goal to reach, and what better way to hit the reset button on your goals than with a few New Year’s resolutions?