Why do we make New Year resolutions?

The New Year gives everyone a clean slate, in hopes to accomplish the goals and dreams that they desire. New Years Resolutions help allow a person to get one step closer to everything they want in life. One reason why they are made is that they help a person stick to the goals that they set forth.

Another reason is that it gives people a chance to improve their lives. For example, if a person sets a resolution of losing weight and eating healthier, they may be doing so to help improve their health and in hopes of increasing their life expectancy.

People have a profound need to derive hope in their lives, and New Year's is the time for a new beginning, for which many people are clamoring. It's a marker for self-determination and stick-to-itiveness. This new beginning is everyone's chance to produce a better version of themselves, and possibly even better life.

For example, if the goal is to stop smoking, this is the time to demonstrate that you are capable of doing something positive for your health. Most Americans who make New Year’s resolutions are focused on self- improvement. It’s the promise of being able to work with a clean slate and prepare for changes we need to make.