Resolution or Intention?
Do you have a desire to improve your health, wellbeing or another aspect of your life in 2020? But does the idea of setting new year’s resolutions fill you with apathy or dread? Re-framing a resolution as an intention may be the key to your success this year. And, as I’ve just set my personal intentions for 2020 (read mine here!), I want to show you the path to success with yours.
First a couple of definitions to set the scene:
Resolution (noun) a firm decision to do or not to do something.
Intention (noun) a thing intended; an aim or plan.
What I’m sure many of us have learnt from past experience, is that typical resolutions such as 'eat less' and 'go to the gym more' can often be short-lived. Sadly, this is because these resolutions are unsatisfying, unrealistic and restrictive thinking tends to put us under undue pressure which tends to backfire the minute we stray from our own strict rules.
Intentions on the other hand, create an inspiring, purposeful direction for the year ahead and set the tone for long-term success. They are more like aims or goals than the typical resolutions – and once we have set them, we can start to more clearly determine positive micro-habits which help get us and keep us moving in that direction.
A mindset of intention can also help us keep our eye on the big picture – so it can help us experience our slip-ups with relative grace and curiosity and move forward during the year without the 'all or nothing' thinking.
Ditch the diet mentality
When it comes to resolution setting, weight loss is amongst the most common – and I believe the most inspiring and unhelpful, generally evoking images of treadmills and skimpy salads. So, if it’s on your mind to go on a diet or to lose a couple of stone, then ditch the idea that your body needs to be ‘fixed’ and take a fresh approach this year.
My recommendation is to direct your attention away from the scales and how you look, and concentrate on being happy and well instead. Set a positive intention that focuses on a new habit that will improve your physical and mental health – and spark joy in your life!
A couple of examples of some foody intentions that do just that are to 'eat more colourful plant foods', and 'cook at home ‘x’ times a week'. These habits can be made really playful and fun, and could of course end-up bringing multiple benefits to your body.
Embrace self-care: it’s the new health care
Self-care became quite a buzz word in 2019 and for good reason. It is simply about showing the same level of care and attention to ourselves as we would wish for the others around us whom we love. And when we consistently take care of our body and minds, better health and wellness follows naturally.
When you’re setting your wellness intentions for 2020, don’t restrict your steps to success to what you eat and your activity levels alone. Instead, broaden your thinking out to all the aspects of your life or lifestyle habits that help make you feel amazing. That could be anything from meditation, to dry body brushing, to rethinking the people you spend time with or taking social media breaks.
Need help on your personal wellness journey?
If you need help setting your wellness intentions, ingraining better eating or self-care habits, or improving your relationship with food, then please do pick up the phone and talk to me!
I offer a complimentary 20-minute nutrition & wellbeing tele-consultation, and have a range of services and events to support a variety of needs – check out:
Reconnect > A transformational one-to-one programme, designed to help you rethink your whole relationship with food and your body, freeing you from dieting mentality and helping you live life to the fullest.
Chakra Wellness Self-Care Day > A relaxing and inspiring day devoted to helping you develop self-care habits with a focus on nutrition, Yoga and balancing your Heart Chakra, associated with self-compassion.
Chakra Wellness Retreats > A complete 4-night wellness reset set on the beautiful Aegean coast, where you will develop an energising and mindful Chakra-based Yoga practice, have exclusive access to nutritional support and workshops focussed on helping you nourish your body and mind, from Root to Spirit.
