Spoiler: Saving money, exercising more, and getting healthier are officially America’s favorite New Year’s goals heading into 2026. But the real story? Most of us feel 2025 was… meh.

A new survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Talkspace found that only 10% of people described 2025 as a “great” year. The rest? They labeled it “just okay” (39%), “bad” (19%) or even “awful” (10%). So naturally, people are ready for a reset — and they’re setting all the goals to prove it.

⭐ Top New Year’s Resolutions for 2026

Americans are planning an average of six resolutions, with the most popular being:

• Save more money (45%)

• Exercise more (45%)

• Improve overall physical health (41%)

• Eat healthier (40%)

• Boost financial wellness (34%)

• Spend more time outdoors (29%)

• Prioritize mental health (29%)

Basically: wallets, waistlines, and wellness. The holy trinity.

📊 Who’s Setting Goals? Millennials Lead the Pack

• Millennials are the most likely to set resolutions (57%)

• Baby boomers are the least likely (23%)

• Men are more likely than women to set goals (44% vs. 35%) and feel more motivated to finish them (93% vs. 85%)

Maybe men are simply optimistic. Maybe they haven’t looked at their gym attendance history. Hard to say.

⛔ The Biggest Barriers to Success

Across generations, the biggest challenge is the same:

💸 Not enough money.

• Gen Z: 45%

• Millennials: 49%

• Gen X: 45%

Boomers, on the other hand? They’re most held back by a lack of willpower (37%).

Other obstacles:

• Mental health struggles (28%)

• Lack of time (22%)

Let’s be honest — “lack of time” feels like the unofficial mascot of adulthood.

😣 How Each Generation Handles Failure

This part says so much:

• Gen Z: Most likely to spiral into guilt and self-criticism (36%)

• Millennials, Gen X, Boomers: More likely to shrug, accept failure as part of the process, and keep going

As Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, Chief Medical Officer at Talkspace, reminds us:

“There can be growth in trying to achieve goals, even if you don’t always achieve exactly what you set out to.”

Permission to take a breath, granted.

🧠 Americans Are Optimistic About Their Mental Health in 2026

Despite the mixed reviews on 2025, nearly half (49%) of respondents believe 2026 will be their year — especially when it comes to mental health.

Right now, Americans rate their mental health a 7/10 on average, with men coming in slightly higher at 8/10.

Over half of people (54%) also say they’re open about their mental health with loved ones, with millennials (63%) and men (59%) leading the way.

🌿 How People Boost Their Mood (Some of These Are Amazing)

Across generations, everyone has their go-to wellness habits:

• Gen Z: Time with family + sleep (both 36%)

• Millennials: Listening to music and podcasts (43%)

• Gen X & Boomers: Good, old-fashioned walks (42% and 46%)

But the real gems? The “personal hacks” people shared to feel better:

• Treasure hunting

• Lifting weights to rock music

• Skateboarding

• Dancing like nobody’s watching

• Listening to Tyler, The Creator interviews

• Binge-watching TV while cross-stitching

• Having a “nail day” with their daughter

• Encouraging others just for the joy of it

• And my personal favorite:

  “Crying. Sometimes you just gotta make yourself cry.”

Honestly… relatable.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Americans may not be giving 2025 a glowing review, but the energy for 2026 is strong: hopeful, intentional, and looking for a reboot.

Whether your resolution is saving money, walking more, finally using that gym membership, or simply dancing in your kitchen — remember to be kind to yourself. Progress counts, even when it’s messy.