Like clockwork, the end of the year sparks reflection. Some of us spend time journaling our goals, commit to new habits, or finally sign up for that gym membership. Others scoff at the idea of New Year’s resolutions altogether—perhaps with good reason. Some research suggests that 80% of resolutions fail by February.
However, small adjustments in line with our goals and values are much more likely to stick and make a difference. Gretchen Rubin, a renowned happiness expert and author of The Happiness Project, previously told Fortune that habits ground us and “when we have habits that work for us, we’re far more likely to be happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative.”
And James Clear, author of the bestseller Atomic Habits, encourages people to get 1% better every day with habits that compound on each other.
“If there’s ever this gap between the thing you desire and your daily habits, your habits will always win,” he previously told Fortune.
So whether or not you believe in making lofty resolutions, there’s reason to value incremental adjustments to your routine that may improve your life—at any time of year.
To ground ourselves—and reflect on our own work in health and wellness—the Fortune Well team shares our micro-habits and goals for 2025.
Jennifer Fields, deputy editor, Fortune Well:
“One goal I have is to prioritize rest, which means more than getting extra sleep. I recently learned that there are seven types of rest that you need to feel restored, including spiritual and social rest. It really opened my eyes to how critical these aspects of our lives are. We might feel too busy to prioritize simple things like rest, but they are important pieces to our overall well-being,” says Fields. “I experimented with pursuing some of the types of rest, like creative rest, and noticed that I slept better, felt happier, and was less stressed. Even my Oura ring showed that I got more deep sleep.”
Read more about the seven types of rest.
Ashley Lutz, executive editor, editorial growth:
“I value having a balanced life: eating nourishing foods, working toward professional goals, going to barre class, taking walks, and making time for faith and family,” Lutz says. “Since I had a baby I feel overwhelmed by all the stuff. I feel happier when my home is clean. It’s more relaxing. I have been going to Pure Barre classes, which I love. Resolutions don’t have to be challenging or self-punishing. It can just be setting an intention to do something that brings you joy.”
Read more on how to find micro-acts of joy.
Beth Greenfield, senior reporter, Fortune Well:
“I hope to make my vegan diet even cleaner—more whole foods and no saturated fats—for my heart health because I have unexpectedly elevated cholesterol, which I am determined to lower without medication,” Greenfield says, adding that “clean eating, sustainable fitness, and the ability to find calming personal downtime” also top the list. “I’d like to go to sleep a bit earlier. I need at least eight hours to feel functional, and sometimes I don’t quite get that.”
Read more on how to eat like you live in a blue zone.
Lindsey Leake, reporter, Fortune Well:
“To me, living well is nurturing each aspect of your health as best you can, for as long as you can. This pursuit won’t be perfect and you will drop the proverbial ball from time to time—but those are opportune moments to ask for help. I’m excited to make meditation a habit in 2025! If I can get to a point where I meditate daily, great, but I plan to start small—and realistic—with just five minutes on Monday mornings to start the workweek off right,” says Leake.
“Though I’m far from outdoorsy, in 2025 I’d also like to spend a bit more time in nature, even if that means something as simple as reading a novel on a park bench or frequenting a nearby trail. This year I reported on a study linking road traffic noise pollution, already a global public health hazard, to stress and anxiety. Not only that, researchers found that traffic noise hampers nature sounds’ calming effects.”
Read more about the power of the mind-heart connection and the calming effects of nature.
Alexa Mikhail, senior reporter, Fortune Well, and the writer of this story:
“For me, wellness is about caring for our minds and bodies, finding ways to feel better so we can bring our best selves to work, home, and the people we love. When I interviewed Marc S. Schulz and Robert J. Waldinger, authors of The Good Life, I learned a powerful truth: The single most important factor in our happiness at the end of life is the strength of our social connections. With this in mind, I’ve set a goal to connect with new people in ‘third spaces.’ I plan to take beginner tennis lessons, volunteer, and keep visiting my local coffee shop. These ‘loose ties,’ as they’re called, can help ground us and create a sense of belonging—even if our interactions are limited to the walls of a café or tennis court.”
“I also aim to have a consistent mindfulness meditation routine. I’ve spoken to leading mindfulness experts on how to quiet the noise in our minds and manage ruminating thoughts. It’s a topic I’ve long sought the ultimate solution for, but while some tips and strategies help, it’s clear that mastering it requires ongoing practice.”
Read more on the power of connections and how to quiet a racing mind.
Ani Freedman, reporting fellow, Fortune Well:
“Wellness—especially in the online space—can be so overwhelming. It can feel like we need to be implementing a new habit every day to optimize every aspect of our health. That is often not only financially inaccessible, but mentally overwhelming too. That’s why I’m trying to make 2025 a more flexible, forgiving year,” says Freedman. “One goal I have for 2025 is to read four books (or more) per month, ideally a book a week, and to explore new genres and authors. Reading has been a steady form of self-care for me since childhood. It is a meditative time where my mind is completely immersed in the story I hold in my hands, helping me to let go of stressors I cannot control while releasing me from cycles of rumination.”
Read more on micro-habit changes to improve happiness.
