Why Making New Year Resolutions as an Over 40 is More Important Than Ever, Despite What Gen Z Says

I'm a January baby, which has both its good points and bad

The bad thing is that my birthday is often overlooked so soon after Christmas. Folk are either done with going out, have no money left to go out, or are ‘being good’.  

My reward to self for this neglect is the delaying of my own New Year resolutions until after my birthday on 10th, which means I can slowly ween myself on to the better diet, whilst still consuming the Christmas chocolates with less of the guilt. I’m claiming ‘Mindful eating’

Whilst I do believe we can start again any time, there is something about a New Year. Another year older on the ‘tombstone’, or if we’re being less morbid, New Year can be a great way to start the year off on the right foot and set yourself up for success. 

With that in mind, I’ve been thinking about resolutions. Here are mine, which, if you’re of a similar age, you too might want to consider for the year ahead:

New Year Resolutions for Over 40's

1. Prioritise self-care: As we get older, it becomes even more important to take care of ourselves. Therefore I want to try and get more sleep, eat healthier, and restart meditation and yoga.

2. Focus on fitness: Regular exercise can help you maintain your health and energy levels as you age. I want to try and set a goal to exercise for a certain amount of time each week, whether that's going for a daily walk, or YouTube workouts.

3. Keep learning. I love learning, and have usually got a few courses on the go. Lifelong learning is important for keeping our brains healthy and engaged. 

4. Build stronger relationships: As we get older, our social connections become even more important. I want to try and spend more time with loved ones this year, whether that means scheduling regular meet ups with family, or planning more dates with friends.

The most important thing when making New Year's resolutions is to set goals that are achievable and meaningful to you. However, is it the case that New Year resolutions are a thing of the past?

Research has shown that seven in ten younger Brits think that New Year Resolutions are old fashioned and outdated. 

According to the findings, modern Brits believe traditional pledges, such as January diets (41 percent), finding the ‘one’ (36 percent) and avoiding booze for January (34 percent) are pointless.

In fact, as many as 94 percent of the 2,000 “Gen Sensible” (under 29 year-olds), surveyed by Vital Proteins, believe it is better to have healthy habits all year round, instead of cutting back in January. 

Four in ten (37 percent) say they make an effort to eat healthily all year round, while 36 percent regularly hit the gym. 

One in three (29 percent) routinely abstain from alcohol, while more than a quarter (26 percent) limit their junk food and sugar intake.

85 percent prefer to drink alcohol moderately all year round, with a further 19 percent working hard to live a sustainable life.

In fact, a resounding 71 percent of Brits under the age of 29, think the concept of a New Year’s resolution, is old fashioned.

A spokesperson for Vital Proteins, which commissioned the study commented,  “With modern Brits shunning the idea of making New Year’s resolutions, it’s not surprising people are starting to think  about the small things we can add into our days over a long period of time that will make a big difference in the long term.”

Four in ten (38 percent) Gen Z Brits also share healthy routines with their followers on TikTok and Instagram. 

Going out for a daily walk (38 percent), cooking meals from scratch (32 percent), scheduling in some ‘me’ time (27 percent) and running (26 percent) are the year long health and wellbeing activities that under 29s engage in. 

Overall, 71 percent think the younger generation are more modest and sensible when it comes to alcohol and overindulging, compared to older generations. 

OLD FASHIONED AND OUTDATED NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, ACCORDING TO GEN Z:

1. Ditch junk food – 44% (*Of Gen Z feel no need to do this in January)

2. Go on a January diet – 41%

3. Stop eating sugar – 36%

4. Find the ‘one’ – 36%

5. Quit drinking (Dry Jan) – 34%

6. Be more organised – 26%

7. Give up meat – 21%

8. Stop eating dairy – 18%

9. Be more sustainable – 16%

10. Stop eating wheat – 12%

Love Tx

#collab

*Research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by Vital Proteins and was conducted by Perspectus Global in December 2023.