New Year's resolutions you should make based on science - and how to keep them

Shutterstock/Maridav

If you're going to make an exercise resolution, pick something specific that you know you like enough to keep doing.

The most common New Year's resolutions tend to be vague goals intended to "get your life together" by losing weight, eating healthier food, or exercising more.

But most people don't successfully follow through on their resolutions - largely because they're so general and non-specific.

That's where science can help. Using specific, science-backed resolutions, you can boost your chances of successfully transforming your life in the New Year.

These are some of our favorite resolution ideas, all backed by recent science. Some have to do with fitness, others diet or health, others productivity, and some are simply designed to help you maximize happiness.

You don't need to attempt all at once, but pick one or two that'll get you closest to your goals.