Live Whole Health #201: Time to set your New Year’s Intention

Well, here we are — another year. Another chance to think about what really matters in your life. This year, instead of resolutions, how about setting intentions? We know what they say about “good intentions,” but without them, we may end up living out the same patterns year after year.

Intentions come from the heart and can reconnect you to your true mission, aspiration and purpose (MAP). Intentions are different from a specific goal or resolution, but an intention can help us achieve our goals. For example, you may consider setting an intention to live a healthier lifestyle versus a resolution to go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Living a healthier lifestyle may include working out, but it may also include weeks where you don’t make it to the gym all three days. Maybe those weeks you focus on getting quality sleep, eating healthy meals, increasing the amount of water you drink, and decreasing your screen time.

Before setting your intentions for the year, take a few minutes to answer two questions, either by writing them down or just thinking about them in your mind. There is no right or wrong answers for these questions and the answers to both may be similar:

• What really matters to you in your life?
• What brings you a sense of joy and happiness?

When you are ready, setting your paper aside if you were writing down your answers, practice this short 5-minute meditation to help you set your intentions for 2024.

Do your 2024 intentions include making changes related to your health and well-being? VA’s Live Whole Health mobile application is a free, easy-to-use tool created for anyone ready to take the next step in their Whole Health journey. With this app, you can fill out your personal health inventory, set goals, get virtual coaching and learn more about Whole Health.

Learn more here: Mobile Apps and Online Tools – Whole Health (va.gov).