2026 begins with mental health resolutions being a top priority for a significant number of Americans. This shift toward wellness and well-being is an important indication of the collective shifts toward this area of focus. Recent data derived from the Healthy Minds Poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has shown that 38 percent of all U.S. adults (up from only 31 percent) will create a mental health resolution in 2026. Many people view these resolutions as equally important as physical fitness or finances.
A lot of younger adults are making new year’s resolutions focused on mental health such as therapy, mindfulness, improving their sleep habits and spending time in nature. Also, these younger adults are regarding their mental health resolutions as an extension of their daily healthy habits. For example, instead of walking and scrolling through their phones on social media, these young adults are being more active by taking a walk while talking on the phone. They are also reaching out to a friend to talk about how they feel instead of keeping those feelings bottled up. A majority of these young adults are reserving the weekends for rest, relaxation and recharging instead of burning themselves out.
Microsoft’s American Psychological Association poll also indicates that, although physical fitness (44 percent) and financial (42 percent) resolutions hold the top two spots, mental health resolutions are quickly gaining in popularity as mental health and emotional well-being are more closely linked to work performance, productivity, and other parts of one’s life. The combination of anxiety related to finances, uncertainties regarding what the upcoming year will hold, and disturbing news cycles is leading to a growing need for mental health resolutions to enable people to exercise their mental health, in a positive way.
Clinicians say mental health resolutions work best when they are realistic and compassionate: instead of “fixing” yourself, you commit to caring for yourself. Simple mental health resolutions—like scheduling a first therapy session, building a calming bedtime routine, or journaling three times a week—can add up to meaningful relief and resilience over time.
Source: American Psychiatric Association / Healthy Minds Poll
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