New year aspirations: Aussies eye healthier lifestyles and overseas adventures in 2025

With the new year underway, Australians are brimming with resolutions and aspirations for a brighter 2025.

Setting a New Year’s resolution has become a tradition, an inspiring way to embark on a fresh chapter. According to a recent survey conducted by the comparison website Finder, Aussies are taking a positive approach to 2025 with 74 per cent of respondents setting a New Year’s resolution for 2025.

Many are prioritising health this year, with 39 per cent of aiming to eat better, 37 per cent planning to improve their fitness, and 33 per cent pledging to lose weight.

Prioritising downtime is also a focus, with 17 per cent aiming to get more sleep and 9 per cent striving for better work-life balance.

Beyond personal well-being, one in five (20 per cent) are hoping to travel overseas, while 5 per cent are considering a move interstate or abroad.

Financial goals are also high on the agenda, with 85 per cent of Australians setting money-related resolutions for 2025. Among them, 52 per cent aim to save more, while 32 per cent hope to cut back on spending.

According to Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, the new year presents the perfect opportunity to refocus and set fresh goals.

“It’s a chance to start fresh and concentrate on new goals, whether it’s improving your health, saving money, learning new skills, or pursuing other passions,” Cooke said.

“Breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps can significantly increase your chances of success.”

For those aspiring to keep their resolutions this year, experts suggest some key strategies:

Be specific: You can’t achieve your goal if you don’t know what it means! Instead of saying you’re going to “eat better”, figure out what this means to you. Maybe your goal is to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day or replace soft drinks with sparkling water. Being specific will help you stick to your goal and track your progress.

Be consistent: Nobody is perfect, and it’s okay to fall off the bandwagon every once in a while. The important thing is that you get back on track and keep looking forward. Getting down on yourself or dwelling on your lost progress will only make achieving your goal more difficult in the long run.

Take it one step at a time: You can’t go from zero to hero straight away. If you’re struggling with the money basics, becoming a share trading whiz might not be the best resolution for you. Focus on learning how to budget, and set up a dedicated savings account if you haven’t already.