Every January, millions of people around the world gear up for a New Year, New Me reset. Gym memberships skyrocket, diet plans trend online, and calendars fill up with ambitious lists. But by February, many of those New Year’s resolutions have already fallen by the wayside.
The team from Tetley tea have witnessed the commitment to New Year’s resolutions play out in their sales. As the makers of South Africa’s top Green tea, which is often used as part of detoxing and weight-loss programmes, they have seen sales spike over January, the past few years. However, they are also cognisant of the fact that New Year’s resolutions are often unhealthy, unrealistic, and unsustainable.
“New Year’s resolutions are meant to inspire us, not overwhelm us,” says Candice Sessions, Tetley Marketing Manager. “With everything people juggle in January, such as tight finances, back-to-school pressure, and getting back into routine, it’s not surprising that resolutions are often short-lived. That’s why we’re encouraging South Africans to swap out extreme New Year’s resolutions for small but meaningful habits that will support long-term well-being.”
A brief (and fascinating) history of New Year’s resolutions
The idea of making resolutions is far from modern. In fact, the world’s first New Year’s pledges date back more than 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. This was a time of planting new crops and reaffirming their loyalty to the king, with promises made to their gods to repay debts. Keeping those promises was believed to earn divine favour – one of the earliest forms of sticking to your goals!
The Romans adopted a similar tradition, making a moral commitment to the god of transitions, Janus, after Julius Caesar established 1st January as the start of the New Year. Early Christians also used the New Year for reflection and renewal, with watch night services that focused on repentance and resolution.
Today, resolutions have become a mostly secular practice, often centred on self-improvement. Yet despite thousands of years of practice, humans still struggle to keep them. Recent studies show that while many people eagerly set resolutions, fewer than 10% manage to maintain them throughout the year.
Why resolutions rarely work
Dietitian and Tetley Partner Dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, explained: “Most resolutions fail because they’re built on pressure, not planning. People aim for dramatic change when what actually works is simple, sustainable progress. The ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset also trips people up because one missed gym session or one treat leads to a crash, and people simply give up. At the end of the day, consistency matters far more than perfection.”
Mbali explains that there are four common reasons resolutions collapse:
1. Unrealistic expectations: Resolutions often aim for sweeping life changes instead of manageable steps.
2. All-or-nothing mindset: Eating one cupcake doesn’t wipe out the benefits of eating healthily the majority of the time!
3. Lack of planning: January is a financially tight month, making ambitious health commitments hard to sustain.
4. Perfectionism: Big changes can turn wellness into stress, worsened by social media comparisons.
A Better Way to Start the Year
Instead of rigid resolutions, Mbali encourages South Africans to embrace small, meaningful shifts that blend easily into daily life: “Healthy change isn’t about reinventing yourself on 1 January, it’s about creating a balance and making wellness a manageable and enjoyable part of your routine.”
Mbali’s tips for 2026 New Year’s resolutions include:
- Sustainable steps: Replace ‘I’ll go to the gym every day’ with ‘I’ll move my body three times a week’. Even a mindful walk counts.
- Rituals not rules: Create a calming morning routine, perhaps with a warm cup of Tetley Green Tea to set a positive tone.
- Consistency not perfection: Progress comes from small steps repeated regularly, not from drastic changes.
- Reflect regularly: Check in with yourself monthly rather than waiting until the end of the year to take stock.
For those who want to incorporate drinking Green Tea into a healthy routine, the good news is that Tetley offers a range of flavoured Green Teas that caters to all tastes. From zesty lemon, to cool mint, to refreshing peach & orange – there’s something for everyone.
Tetley Green Tea can also be enjoyed as a refreshing iced tea or added to smoothies:
– For a healthy and refreshing iced tea, simply brew your favourite flavour of Tetley Green tea, allow it to cool, and add honey or sliced fresh fruit to taste. Refrigerate and enjoy!
– For smoothies and slushies, brew your favourite flavour of Tetley Green Tea, allow to cool, and pour into an ice tray and freeze. Add the Green tea ice cubes to smoothies or slushies for added flavour and goodness.
“You don’t need to overhaul your entire lifestyle. In fact, the easiest and most beneficial resolution you can make is simply enjoying a daily cup of Tetley Green Tea,” says Mbali. “If all else falls away, that one small ritual still delivers powerful health benefits. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, supports metabolism, aids digestion, and helps create a calming moment in an otherwise busy day. It’s a gentle, sustainable step toward feeling good, and one resolution can actually stick to.”
Tetley Green Tea FAQs
1. How can Tetley Green Tea help me keep my New Year’s resolutions?
Tetley Green Tea offers an easy, sustainable daily habit that supports wellness without pressure. A simple cup a day helps you stay consistent.
2. What are the benefits of drinking Tetley Green Tea?
Tetley Green Tea is rich in antioxidants, supports metabolism, aids digestion, and provides a calming moment in your day, making it a powerful addition to any health-focused routine.
3. Is green tea a good option for wellness goals?
Yes. Enjoying a daily cup of Tetley Green Tea is a small, achievable ritual that still delivers meaningful health benefits throughout the year.
4. What if I don’t like the taste of green tea?
Tetley offers a range of flavoured green teas, like apple, peach & orange or lemon, that keep all the benefits of green tea while giving you a smooth, enjoyable taste.
5. How much green tea should I drink daily for best results?
One to two cups per day is a simple and effective way to enjoy the benefits. You can drink it hot in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or even chilled as a workout drink.
For recipes, advice and tips, visit the Joekels website at www.joekels.co.za or follow @TetleyTeaSA on Facebook and Instagram. For more recipe inspiration and to explore the full Tetley range, visit www.tetley.co.za.
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