Use AncestryDNA + Traits to Inspire Lasting New Year's Resolutions

How you can use AncestryDNA + Traits to inspire lasting New Year’s resolutions?

For many of us, January is a time to reflect on the goals we want to achieve over the coming year, whether that’s committing to a new gym routine or conquering the ‘to read’ pile of books gathering dust on the bedside table.

However, sticking to New Year’s resolutions can be challenging. To help create lasting change, how about approaching your 2025 health and wellness goals slightly differently - by using your DNA for inspiration? 

With AncestryDNA^® + Traits, you can use your own genetic insights to help develop highly personalised New Year’s resolutions that leverage your natural strengths. And by focusing on goals that are grounded in your natural abilities, there’s a chance you’re more likely to stick to them.

What are traits and how are they predicted?

Specific places in your DNA are called markers, and these markers are associated with particular traits, like red hair, attached earlobes or freckles. We analyse these markers and use them to tell you what your DNA says about each of your traits.

As well as appearance traits, your genes can also predict your personality, senses and physical performance. For example, whether you’re more likely to be introverted or extroverted, have good hand-eye coordination, or even enjoy spicy foods.

Of course, most traits are influenced by genes and environmental factors, so it’s best to consider your trait results as a peek inside your DNA, rather than a definitive prediction. You can discover more than 80 traits and with this deeper understanding of how your body works, identify sustainable, positive health and wellness changes for the new year and beyond.

Using performance traits to identify fitness goals

If you want to revamp your fitness routine, joining the hordes of other people signing up for the gym in January might not be the best option for you. Instead, you could look at your performance traits to learn how your body is likely to respond to different types of exercise and identify the kind of activities you may be genetically predisposed towards - the results could surprise you! For example: 

• If you’re planning to lace up your trainers and take up running in 2025, your traits can show you if you’re more likely to carry the genes for endurance activities like long-distance running or cycling - or if you’re more of a sprinter. This information can help inform the kind of training goals and schedules you set.
• Your traits can indicate how competitive you’re likely to be and whether you prefer individual or team sports. This can help you decide on the kind of activity that might suit you best. For example, if your results show genetic markers for being competitive and enjoying team sports, you might consider joining a local football or netball team. Or, if they reveal a preference for individual sports, you might find activities like golf or badminton more fulfilling.
• Whilst hand-eye coordination and making contact with a ball are skills you can develop and improve with practice, some people may have a genetic boost in these areas. If your results show a higher likelihood for good hand-eye coordination or that you find it easier to make contact with a ball, tennis or basketball could be your sporting hobby of choice this year.

Get creative with your traits

Whether they're physical traits you can see or hidden traits you can’t, your DNA holds a wealth of information about you. Once you start exploring your traits results, it could help inform a range of ideas for new year’s resolutions, goals and personal challenges.

If your results show you’re good at holding your breath, swimming could be your new hobby. Do your traits show that you’re more likely to enjoy dancing and you have a predisposition to choreography? You might want to sign up for Salsa classes. And if your traits reveal that you’re likely to be a night owl, be kind to yourself - perhaps don’t set a goal that involves waking up at 6am.

You can find out more about AncestryDNA^® + Traits and buy a kit at ancestry.co.uk/traits