The new year is the perfect time to set fresh intentions or goals to help us make positive changes for the year ahead. Whether it’s a lifestyle change or building a healthier habit, we often start off engaged and enthusiastic, but sometimes life has other plans and our motivation declines. To help you support you on your journey, we have a few tips to help you live your best 2023.
Practice Mindfulness
Mental strength is a core part of performance and fitness. And meditation can help put us in the mental space to make a physical change. When our mindset shifts, we approach exercise with a sharper, more focused mind and are more motivated to get sweaty.
Make Realistic Goals
Even with the best intentions, sometimes our resolve fades and our commitment slides (hey, we’re human). Whether it’s a new nutritional goal, a new movement routine, or a new hobby, planning well-defined achievable goals can feel more rewarding in the long run and keep you motivated all year long.
Create the Right Environment
Whether you’re aiming to commit to yoga practice, eating healthier, or incorporating more mindfulness into your day-to-day, research shows group support and progress tracking can help you stick to your goals. Maybe it’s finding a friend to hit the studio with you, meal prepping with your partner, or joining a run group—connecting with others who share similar goals will help you stay focused.
Treat Yourself with Self-Compassion
Ditch the negative self-talk and show yourself some kindness. It takes time and patience to adopt new healthy habits. Studies show it takes anywhere from 18-254 days for someone to form a new habit. So be kind to yourself and remember you don’t have to do it all in January.
Single Word Resolutions
Don’t have a specific goal in mind? Try choosing a single word to guide your year. Keeping a single word in your mind can steer you in an intentional direction without worrying about hitting a particular benchmark. For example, if your word of the year is ‘fearless’, it doesn’t mean you have to take up skydiving or lie in a bed of snakes. But when faced with everyday choices, there’s a word to help guide your decisions. Write it down and come back to it often.
Whatever your new year’s goal or intention is, the real measure of success is how we feel. If you’re showing up everyday and feeling good, you’re on the right path. Any positive change (even a small one) is better than no change at all.
