Many of us start the new year with the best intentions: We want to be healthier, richer,
A third of Americans make at least one resolution each year, and more than half make at least two, according to the Pew Research Center. Academic research discovered that people who framed their resolutions starting with "I will," versus "I won't" ("I will run twice a week," versus, "I won't eat cookies," for example) were more likely to stick to their goals. Sixty percent of people with positive approach-oriented resolutions kept them for over a year.
And you don't have to go it alone: Whether you're looking to
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In EBN's first digital magazine issue of 2025, we're celebrating a new year with a new approach to tackling your goals. What do you need more support with this year? Whether you're an employee wanting to take advantage of benefits that help you get to a happier and healthier version of yourself, or you're an employer wanting to best support your workforce, check out how we're tackling our top resolutions this year.
Resolution: Get healthy
"Exercise is often viewed as an outlet in vanity, as weight loss, or as a New Year's resolution," says Zack Papalia, senior population health and well-being consultant at insurance brokerage Brown and Brown. "People really fail to grasp the enormous impact that regular physical activity has, both on the body and on the mind."
Companies can build a work environment and facilitate ways for workers to be more mobile throughout the day. Things like standing desks, having a centralized trash can, and other small ways to get people more active throughout the day can add up. Papalia suggests that leaders set an example by organizing walking meetings or active lunches — anything that adds some physical activity to people's day.
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Resolution: Be less stressed
Notably, 86% of workers reported experiencing moderate to extreme levels of stress in 2024, with 83% of those respondents stating that their stress primarily comes from work. Functional freeze, among other stress responses, may be more widespread among workers than employers think.
The good news is that there are coping skills and grounding techniques to help people work through their freeze. For example, if someone begins to recognize that they're detaching themselves from present action and demands, they can try to find somewhere quiet and take some time to just describe everything they see in detail. Sometimes eating mints or hard candy, touching a comforting object, or taking a walk can also help people ground themselves in their bodies.
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Resolution: Scale back on scrolling
According to Reviews.org, Americans checked their phones 205 times a day in 2024, up from 144 times in 2023. Whether people find themselves reaching for their phones with distraction or work in mind, that constant itch doesn't bode well for their mental health or productivity, stresses Dr. Aditi Nerukar, an internal medicine physician and lecturer on global health and social medicine at Harvard.
"Constantly checking your phone for notifications can lead to a state of hypervigilance, which can be stressful and make it difficult to focus on other tasks," she says. "And mindlessly scrolling through social media without an intention or time limit can be a passive activity that can lead to negative emotions."
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Resolution: Subscribe to self-care
Employee well-being has become a significant focus for HR professionals and business owners aiming to create a thriving workplace. Beyond the usual perks, one stand-out benefit is gaining momentum — office massages. Offering in-office massages isn't just a feel-good idea but a strategy supporting employee satisfaction and productivity.
Office massages help employees unwind, offering a moment of relaxation right in the middle of a bustling workday. The benefits of reduced stress extend beyond just a happier workforce — calmer employees often perform better, make clearer decisions, and contribute to an overall healthier workplace atmosphere.
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Resolution: Make more money
Make 2025 the year you advocate for your worth, says Keith Spencer, career advisor at FlexJobs. Their recent survey showed 41% of the respondents were not satisfied with their compensation and 43% didn't get a raise or bonus in the previous year. Spencer suggests researching salaries for comparable positions on websites like Salary.com or Payscale.com. Employees can also build their case by keeping track and quantifying the impact of their achievements for the company.
"A lot of people are uncomfortable or feel like a negotiation is a daunting experience," Spencer says. "You need to advocate for yourself because no one else will if you're not willing to do it. Know what your market value is; what your worth is."
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