Good resolutions for the new year are becoming more popular again

In second and third place are more time for family and friends and climate-friendly behavior . This is shown by the results of a current and representative Forsa survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit. Good resolutions are particularly popular among young respondents. Four out of ten people set goals for themselves in the current year. That is six percentage points more than in the previous year and a record value. Perseverance is also increasing: 56 percent of those surveyed stuck with their plans for longer than three months this year (previous year: 50 percent). The impact of the corona pandemic on good intentions is decreasing significantly.

Every year, DAK-Gesundheit asks people about their good resolutions for the coming year and how to implement them. For 2023, stress reduction is at the top of the list. 67 percent of all respondents stated this goal. This is the highest value of all the good resolutions of the past twelve years. In second place, at 64 percent, are the wishes to spend more time with family and friends and to behave in a more environmentally and climate-friendly manner. The latter applies particularly to younger respondents aged 14 to 29 (80 percent). But among older people over 60 years of age, climate protection is also at the top of all good resolutions (57 percent). In the other age groups, however, stress reduction is at the top.

The desire for thrift increases most significantly

Inflation and price developments in recent weeks also have an impact on good resolutions. Compared to the previous year, the desire to be more economical increased by 11 percentage points. 40 percent of all respondents want to tighten their belts in the next year. This is particularly true for 14 to 29 year olds. 60 percent of them said they wanted to be more economical in 2023. The biggest increase from 23 to 35 percent was in the 45 to 59 year old age group.

Avoiding cell phones is becoming increasingly important

The desire to reduce cell phone or computer use has been steadily increasing for the past five years. 31 percent of all respondents plan to be online less in the future. In 2017, only 18 percent of those surveyed made this resolution. At 63 percent, the desire for less cell phone use is particularly strong among 14 to 29 year olds. The issue of alcohol and smoking concerns men in particular: 21 percent of them intend to drink less alcohol in 2023 and 12 percent intend to give up smoking. Among female respondents, the figures are eleven and six percent, respectively. Women, on the other hand, primarily want more time for themselves. 59 percent of them say this is a good intention, compared to 49 percent of men.

Good resolutions are becoming more popular again, perseverance is increasing

In the current year, 42 percent of those surveyed had planned something. This is the highest value after 2020. Good resolutions are particularly popular among the younger ones. 63 percent of 14 to 29 year olds had set goals for themselves this year. More than half of all respondents (56 percent) managed to stick to the goals they had set from the previous year for longer than three months, compared to 50 percent the year before. The importance of the corona pandemic on stamina is diminishing. For 49 percent of those surveyed, they no longer had any influence on implementing their good intentions. Last year this only applied to 28 percent.

With self-motivation to better health

By far the most common factor (69 percent) is that respondents are motivated by their personal feelings to take more care of their health. For one in two people, an acute illness or a doctor's request is the reason to live a healthier life. 41 percent are motivated when their partner gives them the impetus. Almost a third (31 percent) see offers from their own health insurance company as helpful.

Source:

German health portal

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