Buy now, pay later
For many of us, the transition into the New Year is always a good excuse to reflect on our past health habits and how we can improve or build on them going forward – and it’s no different for us Americans.
Recent studies have shown that all across America, the desire for positive change is strong. But with this desire comes the inevitable stress that always accompanies the setting of ambitious resolutions.
In fact, data suggests that as many as 41% of people in the States report feeling more stressed during this time of year compared to others. However, many more see the opportunity to commit to real, lasting improvements for their health as something worth enduring such stress levels for.
So, with this in mind, what are the top health goals for Americans in the coming year? To find out, we surveyed 1,500 people across the US to see what their 2025 wellness goals were.
Take a look at our findings below!
What are the top New Year health practices for 2025?
From Alaska to Florida and every state in between, our survey shows that Americans from all walks of life are ready to kick off 2025 with some essential health practices that we could focus that little bit more on.
Case and point, the number one health practice goal for Americans is a simple one – to drink more water and to stay more hydrated – flagged by 56% of Americans as their main healthy New Year resolution.
Of course, this clear and easily attainable step isn’t the only goal Americans have on their mind, as staying hydrated was closely followed by another two health changes that we can all work on – healthier eating habits and a regular exercise routine – both of which garnered 48% support and shows a collective desire for better nutrition and fitness.
Outside of the top 3 health goals, we also had popular aims such as getting more sleep (33%), spending more time with loved ones (32%), and prioritizing self-care (28%), all of which are excellent ways to make positive change in the coming year – especially when combined together.
What are the different health goals of men and women?
Although both men and women shared some notable similarities in their health goals for the coming year, there were also some distinct differences from our study’s data that we thought were worth highlighting.
First and foremost, both genders share a strong focus on hydration, with drinking more water topping the list for everyone at 51% for men and 62% for women, alongside implementing a more regular exercise routine, which again came in the top 3 for both genders at 48% and 47% respectively.
However, perhaps more interestingly, women appear to have a greater focus on eating healthily compared to men, with 51% of women looking to better their diet as opposed to 45% of men – still high for both sides but worth noting nonetheless.
Alongside this, women also seem to be looking to make more time for self-care and spending time with loved ones which worked out as 33% and 37% respectively compared to only 23% and 28% for men.
In fact, outside of establishing a regular exercise routine, women had a much greater focus on improving all other areas of their health that were highlighted in our survey compared to men!
Why you should prioritize sleep for a healthier 2025
Although improved sleep hygiene came in fourth as the most popular health goal for 2025 at 31%, here at MattressNextDay, we’d argue that it should be everyone’s number one health goal going forward.
Needless to say, proper sleep is important, not only for alertness but for general well-being and willpower (which is exactly what you’ll need when sticking to any of your harder goals).
Sleep expert, Martin Seeley, points out that good sleep is a must if you want to improve any of the following areas of your health:
- Better cognitive function: Quality sleep boosts your focus, memory, and your ability to make sensible and actionable decisions. When you're well-rested, you think more clearly, can solve problems more easily, and retain information better, all of which are going to be required when conquering your New Year goals.
- Physical health benefits: You probably know that sleep is vital for your body’s recovery period, so prioritizing that rest time is only going to benefit your workouts going forward. Not only that, but good sleep lowers the risk of serious health issues like heart disease and diabetes in the future, ensuring your body stays in tip-top condition as you grow older.
- Improved mental health: Finally, getting a good night’s sleep not only helps you feel rested, but it can help to reduce any feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression that you might be feeling. When you’ve gotten those eight hours of rest, you’ll find it much easier to handle everyday challenges. Better yet, good sleep acts as a natural mood booster, helping you feel calmer and more resilient when life gets stressful.
How to improve your sleep hygiene
So, with sleep being so important to achieving your other sleep goals for the year, what can you do to improve your sleep schedule and get to bed on time? Here are our top tips for making the ultimate bedtime routine:
1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
No matter what you do before going to bed, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule is the number one thing you can implement to improve your sleep routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate your body's internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
As an added bonus, a regular routine leads to more restful sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed, and once you’ve been going to bed at the same time for a while, you’ll naturally start to wake up at the same time, meaning you can kiss that noisy alarm goodbye.
2. Limit screen time before bed
We know you probably don’t want to hear it, but reducing how much time you spend on your phone or computer before bed will make it that much easier for you to get a good night’s sleep.
Experts recommend avoiding any form of digital device use at least an hour before bed to help your body prepare for sleep, as the blue light from screens can interfere with melatonin production, keeping you awake for longer. Plus, without the distraction of social media or emails, you'll better be able to unwind and relax your mind.
3. Make your bedroom as comfy as possible
Let’s face it, who doesn’t like climbing into fresh sheets and curling up in them? It’s always a wonderful feeling, and you can enhance this sensation further by making your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary that will encourage restful sleep.
For the best results, you need to keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Blackout curtains can block out light, and a white noise machine can help drown out any sounds from noisy neighbors and partygoers, making them a must for minimizing sleep distractions.
4. Practice relaxation techniques
Relaxation practices like meditation and deep breathing have been consistently proven to help calm your mind and ease bodily tension before bed and can be a simple yet effective step to add to your sleep routine.
When practiced properly, these techniques help reduce stress and lower your heart rate, making it easier to fall asleep. We recommend using apps like Headspace or Calm if you’re a beginner in this area, as they offer guided sessions that can teach you all the basics you’ll need.
5. Invest in a better mattress
Given everything we’ve already discussed, you probably already guessed that this last tip was coming. Simply put, if you want a good night’s sleep, then you need to invest in the right mattress, bed frame, and bedding.
A mattress that provides the right support for your body will significantly improve your sleep quality, be that one made of memory foam, pocket springs, or even an orthopaedic model if you suffer from persistent backache, while the right bed frame will give your mattress the support it needs to last for years to come.
Start the year off right with MattressNextDay
Whether you're setting goals to drink more water, exercise regularly, or make more time for self-care, the new year offers a fresh opportunity to focus on your health – and we can’t recommend enough that you should be adding better sleep to that list as well. Our Snooze News section is full of helpful tips and advice to encourage you to get the proper night's rest your body needs.
