If you started 2026 with big goals, like running Marathonreading Every book On your e-reader or check it Get eight hours of sleep every night You feel that you are actually falling short in achieving these goals, so do not lose hope! Instead, we recommend setting smaller, more achievable goals that you can use as stepping stones to achieving your larger goals.
And in case you’re feeling completely lost, we’ve come up with seven healthy resolutions you can try incorporating into your daily life as you navigate through the year.
7 realistic health goals for 2026
Here are some ideas for smaller health goals to use as New Year’s resolutions. These ideas may be easier to fit into your day and can serve as fun reinforcements to your overall lifestyle.
1. Walk daily
Exercise is a popular New Year’s resolution, but it’s also one we tend to fall back on. About 73% of people who set fitness goals as their New Year’s resolutions quit before they achieved their goals. Working out at the gym every day can quickly seem like a chore and exhaust you.
Try not to think about exercise, but think of it as an additional activity. Focus on completing the activity itself rather than setting a specific number of pounds you want to lose or weight you want to lift.
A good example of this is setting a goal to go for a daily walk. You can take it during your lunch break, in the morning or in the evening. Treadmills or indoor tracks can work on bad weather days. Focusing on brisk, gentle walking can make the activity more manageable. In fact, walking is Excellent stress buster.
2. Enrich your diet
Don’t cut out the foods you love. Instead, add rich foods to your meals. If you want to add more fruits and vegetables, try our delicious new roasted carrots recipe or some of our healthy smoothie recipes. You’re not on a diet; You are exploring healthy cooking. When you discover how delicious fruits and vegetables can be and how much better you feel, you may naturally end up reaching for fruit and vegetable juice with a soft drink.
You can also look at your diet and find ways to add vitamins that may be missing. Take the quality Daily vitaminsFor example, it can be a very easy way to enrich your diet.
3. Create a bedtime routine
Another goal that can be achieved in the new year is to get started Better sleep routine. Small changes that can be made right before bed can help you overall Sleep quality. Lowering the temperature in your bedroom at night, reading more uplifting content right before bed and trying meditative techniques like progressive muscle relaxation can be small ways to create a healthy bedtime routine. Read how to get Good night’s sleep In our guide.
4. Be more aware of mental health
You may also take some time to read about mental health issues. Know the signs Anxiety and depression And take steps to seek help if necessary. If you feel more signs of stress daily, you can also try meditation or something else Stress relief apps Like calm.
You can also make a note to talk to someone you trust instead of bottling up your feelings, make an effort to plan social events with friends or take a trip Habit of journaling To monitor how you feel. You can also choose to focus on activities that bring happiness. You can watch your favorite movies or read inspiring biographies, for example.
5. Make time for self-care
Just a little time each day for self-care can make a difference in how you feel. You don’t have to go on a month-long meditation retreat. Just spending 30 minutes in a relaxing bath, reading before bed or playing with your beloved pet every day can help you relax and remember to enjoy the little things.
6. Spend more time outside
Getting outside and interacting with nature can actually boost physical and mental health, researchers point out Harvard T Chan School of Public Health. Humans actually have an instinct called biophilia, which means we tend to want to connect with nature, and we feel better when we spend time outside.
Enjoying the outdoors can range from planning an entire camping trip or hiking weekend to spending time gardening in the yard or walking in the park. These fun activities can serve as fun breaks throughout the week.
7. Find easy organizational and cleaning hacks
Many of us want to become more organized in the new year. Having a well-organized space can help us feel… More in controlA cleaner home can reduce allergens and germs. But instead of doing a huge Marie Kondo project that covers your entire house, look for small, doable tricks that you can complete in less than an hour or so and make time for them when you do them.
Organize a drawer here or there, donate clothes you no longer wear that naturally accumulate in the back of the closet or create a natural product cleaning supply rack. Small-scale organizational steps can help make the entire project more manageable. Adding some creativity can make it seem like a fun hobby.
Bottom line
Wellness goals don’t have to be another stress point in your life. Think of it as adding some extra quality time or need me time into your week. Wellness can range from taking a walk in the park to de-stress to trying delicious veggie recipes or even watching your favorite comedy.