5 reasons better sleep should be your New Year’s resolution

(All references, surveys and articles can be found linked or in the reference section at the bottom on this article) 

Every January we promise ourselves we will eat better, move more, and stress less.
But for some reason, sleep is not at the forefront of people's minds, even though the consensus is that better sleep helps people flourish.

If there is one resolution that can genuinely change how you feel, both mentally and physically, and lay the strongest foundation for your health journey, it is this. Better sleep.

Here are five evidence backed reasons to make better sleep your priority for 2026, plus one realistic thing you can do for each that actually helps.

1. Better sleep protects your long term health

Poor sleep is not just about feeling tired. Australian research shows sleep problems are a significant risk factor for chronic conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and mental health challenges. Nearly half of Australian adults experience multiple sleep related problems, even if they technically get enough hours.

Sleep is when your body regulates hormones, repairs cells, supports immunity and balances blood sugar. Without enough quality sleep, those systems struggle.

One thing you can do
Start with consistency, not perfection.
Aim to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day, even on weekends. This stabilises your circadian rhythm and improves sleep quality over time, often more effectively than going to bed earlier.

 

2. Sleep quality shapes your mood and emotional resilience

Large scale sleep surveys consistently show people who sleep well are more likely to feel happy, productive and emotionally stable. Those who struggle to fall or stay asleep are significantly less likely to feel they are flourishing in daily life.

If you have noticed you feel more irritable, overwhelmed or flat lately, sleep may be the missing piece.

One thing you can do
Create a gentle wind down ritual.
Thirty to sixty minutes before bed, switch off stimulating screens and do the same calming activity each night. Over time, your body will connect your wind-down routine with sleep, which will make falling asleep quicker and easier.

 

3. Good sleep strengthens your relationship

Sleep and relationships are deeply connected. Research shows up to 30 percent of your sleep quality can be influenced by your partner’s sleep. When couples sleep well, they tend to communicate better, feel more patient and experience greater emotional closeness.

Interestingly, a survey showed that many people who tried sleeping in separate beds report having better sleep but being less happy in their relationship. It raises an important question. Do we really have to choose between rest and connection?

The good news is that many couples do not need to choose at all.

One thing you can do
Create a bedding environment that reduces disturbances without creating distance.
Sleeping with separate covers (also known as the Scandinavian Sleep Method) can dramatically reduce night time disruptions while still sharing the same bed. If snoring is part of the issue, for some, custom earplugs or white noise can help protect your sleep without sacrificing closeness.

4. Sleep helps you think clearly and work better

Poor sleep costs Australians billions each year in lost productivity, accidents and mistakes. Even one bad night can reduce concentration, memory and decision making the next day.

Many people believe they can push through tiredness. Research shows the brain does not agree.

One thing you can do
Get morning light as early as possible.
Natural light within the first hour of waking helps regulate your sleep wake cycle, improves focus during the day and makes it easier to fall asleep at night. A short walk or breakfast near a window is enough.

 

5. Better sleep makes your days feel better

Better sleep does not just change your nights. It improves how your days feel too.

Large sleep surveys consistently show that people who sleep well report better mood, clearer thinking, more patience, and greater enjoyment of everyday life. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America Poll, adults who are satisfied with their sleep are significantly more likely to feel they are flourishing. That includes feeling happier, more productive, and more capable of handling daily stress.

A global survey echoes this finding that people who get enough quality sleep are more likely to feel positive about themselves, be more focused during the day, and be better equipped to manage work, relationships, and emotional ups and downs.

When you sleep well, small things feel easier. You are less reactive, more present, and better able to show up as yourself. 

One thing you can do
Focus on sleep quality, not just sleep duration.
That might mean cooling your sleep environment, reducing alcohol intake or how late you consume that last coffee so that you can achieve more deep and REM sleep.

 

A gentle resolution that actually lasts

If improving your sleep was not already on your list for 2026, hopefully you can now see why it deserves to be.

Better sleep supports everything else you are trying to build, from your energy and focus at work, to your health, to how present and patient you feel in your relationships.

You do not need to change everything at once. Start with one small shift. Let sleep do the rest.