January is marketed as a fresh start, but for many Americans it feels more like pressure than possibility.

A new national survey commissioned by A Mission for Michael found that 21% of adults say January’s self-improvement culture harms their mental health, more than 56 million people starting the year feeling worse, not better.

In Ohio, the impact is even stronger. More than one in four adults (26%) say the “New Year, New Me” mentality negatively affects their mental health, the equivalent of nearly 2.4 million Ohioans.

The pressure sets in quickly. Nearly half of respondents nationwide (45%) say they’ve already felt like a failure for slipping on a January goal before the month ends. Guilt is also common, with 58% saying they feel guilty at least sometimes when they fall behind.

Many respondents say the issue isn’t motivation, it’s unrealistic expectations. About 44% believe January encourages impossible standards around productivity and self-control, leaving people feeling behind before the year truly begins.

Financial goals and fitness topped the list of pressure points, followed by career progress and productivity. More than a third of respondents (36%) say their mental health is worse in January than in other months.

State-by-state results varied widely. Wyoming reported the highest levels of strain, with 67% saying January’s reset culture puts too much pressure on their mental health, while Georgia reported the lowest at 10%. An interactive map included with the study shows how the pressure plays out across the country.

When the pressure becomes overwhelming, people report turning to gentler coping strategies, setting smaller goals, talking with others, limiting social media, or skipping January resolutions altogether.

“We’ve turned January into a test of worth rather than a time of adjustment,” said Anand Meta, executive director of A Mission for Michael. “Mental health doesn’t thrive under guilt or comparison.”