After the challenges of 2022, we are all looking forward to a brighter 2023! A new year can be a fresh start, when we make plans and changes for ourselves in the form of “resolutions”. Although the New Year seems ripe with opportunity, we all know that life does not always go according to plan. One study indicated that 45% of Americans set New Year’s resolutions, but only eight percent actually achieved their goals!
Most people get so excited about the end goal, they forget to make a realistic plan to achieve their goal. Popular New Year’s resolutions usually involve enormous lifestyle changes like eliminating an entire food group, getting more sleep or physical exertion. Many of us give up the moment we have to skip a morning workout or when the unexpected throws a monkey wrench into our plans (e.g. global pandemic).
While many of us search the universe and “Dr. Google” to achieve the health we desire, the ability to achieve health lies deep within us. During the first five years of our lives, we form our core beliefs about who we are and what we are. These core beliefs determine our thought patterns and influence our ability to make changes. To achieve our New Year’s resolutions, we must reframe our internal conversation.
Setting Your 2023 Intention for Health and Physical Fitness
Setting an intention to transform our health is all about changing our internal conversation. While intentions give us direction, we need to take small steps to achieve the larger transformations that we are seeking. Intentions set the stage for the universe to align and make the impossible seem possible and can be supported by evidence-based tools such as practicing meditation, cultivating gratitude, avoiding negativity, stating affirmations, exercising impeccable speech and behavior, and understanding your true nature.
How do I set an intention for optimal health?
Make your New Year’s intention for optimal health SMART:
- Specific: how much weight do you want to lose or gain? How many hours of sleep do you want per night?
- Measurable: take pictures of before and after and keep a progress diary
- Achievable: know that losing 2 pounds per week is ok – slow and steady wins the race!
- Relevant: make sure the change you are making is for the right reasons i.e. for you own benefit; not because of someone else’s vision.
- Time-bound: make sure your timeline is realistic; allow yourself plenty of time to take small steps in the right direction.
Have you set your intentions for 2023?
If you are ready to pursue your SMART goals with a guide, you should know that
naturopathic medicine addresses whole body health: physical, mental and spiritual.
Dr. Diefenbach is trained to empower you to move forward step by step and she is ready to support the success of your 2023 intentions! Please call the office at (703) 609-8717 to schedule your appointment.