As the end of the year approaches, people’s attention has shifted to the resolutions New year.
Unlike in years past, when New Year’s resolutions largely focused on physical health, the younger generation seems to prioritize fitness. mental health in the coming year.
The cultural change was discovered through a health survey of Forbeswhich surveyed 1,005 adults in the US, and found that 45% of respondents said that improving mental health was one of their top resolutions.
The number of people planning to focus on mental health in 2023 exceeded the number of people concerned about improving their physical health, with only 39% saying improving their fitness was their main goal. A resolution to lose weight or adopt a healthier diet made up 37% and 33% of respondents, respectively.
According to the findings, the generation most concerned with mental health was Generation Z. The survey found that 50% of people between the ages of 18 and 25 plan to work to improve their mental well-being.
The younger generation is not alone either. The shift also extends to millennials, whose focus has also shifted from physical health to mental health. According to the survey, 49% of respondents between the ages of 26 and 41 listed mental health as one of their top resolutions for the coming year.
The results also come after an increase in anxiety and depression as a result of the pandemic. as pointed out Forbesthe World Health Organization (WHO) reported in March 2022 that anxiety and depression increased globally by 25% in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, Harvard-trained clinical psychologist, professor, researcher, and member of the Health Advisory Board of Forbestold the publication that the conclusion of the survey results should be positive, as it shows that people are aware of the importance of mental health.
“Awareness of the importance of mental health has increased dramatically among the younger generations,” she explained to Forbersadding that this is “probably due to the combination of amplified exposure, the possibility to learn from the experience of others through various mediums (social media platforms, videos, blogs, articles), the proliferation of the industry of mental health and stigma reduction that have created more resources to discuss experiences and seek help.”
Regarding how respondents plan prioritize your mental health in 2023the survey found that 10% plan to use online therapy providers, while 17% said they plan to rely on meditation apps to help them achieve their New Year’s resolutions.
In addition to focusing on general mental health, the study also found that several respondents across all age groups want to strive for a better work-life balance in the new year. Others, especially Gen Z respondents, want to spend more time on their hobbies.
As for the most popular resolution that doesn’t relate to physical or mental health, the survey found that people of all age groups plan to improve their finances, a top goal among 34% of millennials surveyed.
Translation of Anna McDonnell