Quit smoking, lose weight, eat healthier, spend less time on your phone? Among all the possible New Year’s resolutions for 2026, one stands out as essential: better sleep. Not only is it incredibly beneficial for your health, but getting quality sleep also makes it easier to stick to all your other goals.
Ready for real change this year? Keep reading to discover why prioritizing your sleep could be the key to achieving your resolutions.
Research: Why sleep should be part of your New Year’s resolutions
Statistics show that among the 70% of Americans who didn’t make a New Year’s resolution last year, 12% said it was because they didn’t believe they’d stick to it anyway.
And they’re not wrong. Most resolutions don’t even make it past the third week of January. In fact, a 2023 study revealed that 94% of people gave up on their resolutions within just two months.
So, how can you make sure this year is different? It might just start with something as simple as getting better sleep.
How good sleep improves your chances of success
Why should better sleep top your list of resolutions this year? Psychologist Richard Wiseman’s research sheds some light: people who sleep well are 36% more likely to stick to their New Year’s resolutions than those who don’t.
This makes sense. Sleep is essential for brain function, directly impacting willpower and self-control—two critical factors for maintaining healthy habits.
Sleep, willpower, and self-control
To stick to your resolutions, you need both willpower and self-discipline. A solid night’s sleep helps replenish these mental “muscles,” while sleep deprivation weakens them—making you more impulsive and more likely to give up.
A 2024 study supports this, showing that people who sleep poorly are significantly more impulsive than those who are well-rested. This aligns with earlier findings that consistently link self-control to quality sleep.
Think of willpower and self-control like muscles: they grow stronger with rest and recovery. Whether your goal is to lose weight, exercise more, or stop mindless scrolling on your phone, a good night’s sleep provides the mental energy and resilience you need to stick with it.
Start the new year with better sleep
Want to set yourself up for success in 2026? Start by improving your sleep habits. Even small adjustments can lead to big improvements.
- Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Avoid blue light (like from your phone) before bedtime.
- Create a cool, quiet, and dark sleeping environment.
Try these simple changes and experience how better sleep can help you achieve your goals.
Looking for more tips? Check out our complete guide to better sleep.
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Need advice? Our team is here to help with personalized sleep advice and recommendations for the best products.