We’re almost positive that everyone cannot wait to leave 2020 behind. While 2021 will still have remnants of 2020, namely the aftermath of COVID-19, people look to the future for positive change. These changes come in the form of New Year’s resolutions, which are a little different for the upcoming year.
It may surprise you to find out that weight loss isn’t the top resolution, like it is almost every year. For 2021, polling says that people want to focus more time and effort on mental health and financial stability. In fact, roughly 51% of Americans say that they will set a money resolution for 2021. How very adult of everyone! That’s a great resolution to have as you move forward through life. Taking care of yourself is of the utmost importance, and that’s a common theme for the most popular resolutions.
#1: Getting Rid Of Debt
In light of COVID-19, many people had to take a good long look at savings and spending habits. The pandemic hit everyone hard, which is why so many people have the goal of getting rid of debt. According to a 2020 study on money resolutions, roughly 53% of people achieved them, which shows promise for 2021. In addition to erasing debt, many people have the goal of raising credit scores and increasing savings.
#2: Cooking A New Dish Every Week
Since we all had to stay home for so long during the pandemic, many people had to learn how to cook. Some hated every second of cooking, while others embraced new flavors and techniques. Cooking a new dish every week helps expand your palate, and that’s why people want to experiment with new dishes in the coming year.
#3: Spend Time Away From Your Phone
We’re afraid to ask how many people became more addicted to their phones during 2020. It’s safe to assume that most people resorted to scrolling, swiping, FaceTiming, posting, and more out of boredom. When 2021 rolls around, people want to spend less time on phones to help preserve mental health. If you have an addiction to your phone, try to spend an hour away from your phone every single day. It’ll help bring more awareness to your life.
#4: Finding More Me Time
This is a crazy resolution to have, considering people spent more time alone than ever in 2020. When times are stressful, though, one of the most important things to do is to practice self-care. People want to carve out more time to relax the mind, body, and soul as they move into 2021, and we couldn’t be happier about that.
#5: Less Time In The Car
In case you didn’t notice, more people started walking around outside in 2020. Some started walking because gyms closed and others did it to preserve mental health. They realized the importance of spending time outside and it had a positive effect on mental and physical health. People are going to walk their way into 2021, which will help cut down on pollution!
#6: No Need For A Gym
Some people love the routine of going to the gym, and that will stay the same, but many others realized that working out from home is very doable. The at-home fitness life elevated during 2020, with people following programs, buying weights or resistance bands, and more. Some people were resourceful and used household items as weights, and it paid off! It’s possible that with continued gym closures well into 2021, people will successfully shape their bodies from home. We’re here for it!
#7: Creating A Cleaning Schedule
The pandemic forced everyone to become a clean freak and germaphobe. This probably helped reduce the risk of transmission within the home. A high percentage of people want to continue the regular cleaning habits they adopted in 2020. Keeping your home clean is work, but it also makes you feel good when you look at a pristine home.
#8: Drink Less Alcohol
Some people went off the rails and coped with alcohol during 2020, while others resisted the temptation. Excessive drinking contributes to weight gain, and people realized that with the quarantine-15 being a real thing. The goal may not be to go completely sober, but reducing alcohol intake helps to improve skin, mental health, and immune health. It also helps you save money!
#9: Use The Green Thumb
There’s nothing like planting a seed and watching it grow into a beautiful flower, fruit tree, or vine. A lot of people started to garden in 2020, and anyone who dropped in the garden center of a home improvement store saw that. Handling dirt connects you with the earth’s magnetic energy, and the presence of plants in the home can actually calm the autonomic nervous system. Whether people know that or not, the resolution to own more plants is real. Plus, more plants improve the air quality in your home.
#10: Be More Social
This is no easy task, given that we’re still living a limited life, but it’s not impossible. There are still plenty of ways to be social without interacting in person. People are social creatures and they’ve definitely felt the results of the pandemic on their mental health. Use technology to your advantage by getting on regular phone calls or Zoom calls. If you feel up to it and take the right precautions, consider meeting a friend or two in an outdoor setting for a socially-distanced hang. People plan to make more of an effort to engage with friends and family as they roll into 2021.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
