As we step into the promising embrace of 2024, it's the perfect time to reflect on the past, acknowledge our growth, and set intentions that align with our pursuit of wellness. The journey to a healthier and more fulfilling life begins with intentional choices that nourish the mind, body, and soul. In this blog post, let's explore the power of setting wellness intentions and how they can pave the way for a radiant and balanced year ahead.
Reflecting on the Past: Before we look forward, it's essential to glance backward. Reflect on the wellness journey you've traversed so far. What did you accomplish in 2023 that you are proud of? Where have you been struggling? Acknowledge your achievements, learnings, and challenges. Celebrate the victories and use the lessons from setbacks as steppingstones towards personal growth. This reflection provides a solid foundation for crafting meaningful intentions.
The 2023 holiday season was a big time of reflection for me. This past Christmas Eve marked 5 years since I ended up in the hospital with my acute kidney injury. The picture on the right was taken right after I got home from the hospital on Christmas afternoon. Despite the smile on my face, I had never been so scared in my life. Something was wrong, but no one knew what. So much has changed for me in the past 5 years. Some of it scary, like the roller coaster of trying to manage my Ulcerative Colitis and meeting with doctors about assessing me for a kidney transplant (which hopefully won’t happen for many, many years). But there’s also been so many amazing and exciting things that have happened like changing careers, furthering my education, and starting a business from scratch. The trials and celebrations have brought me to where I am today, and for that I am grateful. These experiences helped shape my intentions for the upcoming year as I approach a milestone birthday!
Setting Mindful Intentions: Wellness encompasses not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Begin by setting intentions that foster a positive mindset. Consider incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, prayer, or gratitude journaling into your daily routine. Cultivating a mindful approach can enhance resilience, reduce stress, and promote mental clarity. Two of my intentions going into 2024 are to read more and spend more time in meditation/prayer to calm my mind and spirit. As a mom of two, plus a small business owner, life can get crazy. It's important to me that I slow down a little to enjoy time as a family and calm some of the chaos of everyday life.
Nourishing the Body: Fueling our bodies with nourishing foods is a cornerstone of wellness. Set specific intentions around your nutrition, whether it's incorporating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, or exploring new recipes. Don’t know where to start? Set-up a Be Well Discovery Session to get some clarity on what dietary changes may best support your well-being. Having a plan that aligns with your unique needs and goals will ensure a sustainable and enjoyable approach to eating well. There's no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan that works for everyone. Let's partner together to find the right foods and practices that best nourish you.
Prioritizing Physical Activity: Regular exercise is a powerful catalyst for overall well-being. Set intentions to engage in activities that bring you joy and align with your fitness goals. Whether it's walking, yoga, weight training, or dancing, find a form of exercise that resonates with you. Setting realistic goals and gradually increasing activity levels can lead to improved physical health and increased energy. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Check out a new workout class. Get a group of people together to play pickleball. Sign-up for a couch-to-5K program. The possibilities are endless! My intentions around exercise this year involve continuing my consistency, completing a few more half marathons (this picture is of me happily finishing my last half marathon), and potentially stepping outside of my comfort zone with a full marathon or triathlon.
Cultivating Healthy Relationships: Social connections are integral to our well-being. Consider setting intentions to nurture existing relationships and cultivate new, meaningful connections. This may involve spending quality time with loved ones, joining social groups, or volunteering in your community. Healthy relationships contribute significantly to emotional well-being and can be a source of support and encouragement. Prioritize date nights, family vacations, and nights out with friends. Remember we aren’t meant to walk through life alone!
Embracing Self-Care: Self-care is a vital component of a holistic wellness plan. Set intentions to prioritize self-care practices that resonate with you. This might include regular relaxation rituals, unplugging from technology, getting quality sleep, or indulging in activities that bring you joy. Recognize that self-care is not indulgent but rather a necessary investment in your overall well-being. We’ve all heard the saying: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you aren’t taking time to “re-fill,” eventually you will run dry and have nothing left to give. This is especially important to anyone in a caretaker role, whether it be personal or professional. Self-care doesn’t have to be a big elaborate activity, it can be as small as taking a few minutes a day doing something you enjoy, that’s just for you. For me, I really enjoy taking a few minutes for skin care as a form of self-care. It can be as simple as washing my face and applying some moisturizer, or a little more involved like applying a face mask. I always feel refreshed afterwards and I know it’s good for me.
As we embark on this journey into 2024, let's commit to intentional choices that prioritize wellness. By setting mindful intentions, nourishing our bodies, prioritizing physical activity, cultivating healthy relationships, and embracing self-care, we lay the groundwork for a year filled with vitality, balance, and radiant well-being. Here's to a year of thriving in every aspect of our lives!
Until next time...Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well.
Dianna