Practical New Year resolutions you can actually keep

After years of grand plans, the author says they are trying a different approach in 2026: small, achievable resolutions drawn from vetted product and lifestyle recommendations. To cook more at home, the piece recommends starting with a few reliable kitchen staples — from a well-reviewed rice cooker to a versatile blender, a fish spatula and glass food containers to cut waste and save money.

For better sleep, contributors suggest swaps such as a supportive memory-foam pillow and a highly rated sleep mask, alongside other tested items that have helped improve rest. Making exercise manageable is framed as finding simple at-home options: light weights, an aerobic step platform or a durable yoga mat can build a routine without expensive classes or a gym membership.

To spend more time with others, the story suggests easy hosting and social ideas — affordable board games like Bomb Busters, jigsaw puzzles (Ravensburger is recommended), basic wine glasses, smart bulbs and a Dutch oven to level up small gatherings. Practical household hacks are included too: a reader tested laundry stain removers by sacrificing 14 white T‑shirts to find the most effective products for common spills.

Key Topics

Tech, United States, Culture, Cooking, Sleep, Fitness, Home