During periods of renewal—like the end or beginning of the year—many cultures encourage setting resolutions or intentions for change. In recent years, a popular approach has been to adopt a guiding word, quote, or image to help focus our actions and intentions.
Today, we’ll introduce a wellness model to help you create and sustain your resolutions for the new year.
What is Wellness?
Wellness encompasses all aspects of our lives and is interrelated; our well-being is influenced by both personal and environmental factors. The National Wellness Institute (NWI) identifies six dimensions of wellness: intellectual, occupational, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical. For deeper understanding or reflection prompts, check out NWI’s free tool here.
Remember, you are exactly where you need to be, including your intention for change. To support this intention, we’ll explore an additional NWI framework: W.E.L.L.
As you prepare your goals and intentions for the year ahead, reflect upon the following questions:
W: Whole Person
- What aspects of my life am I most positive about right now?
- Which areas require my focus and attention?
- Where do I want to direct my energy over the next 90 days?
- What specific improvements do I want to make?
- How might these changes impact other areas of my life?
- What challenges do I anticipate as I pursue this change?
- What strengths do I already possess to support me?
E: Environment
- Where do I thrive, and what contributes to this?
- Where do I struggle, and what makes it difficult?
- How can different environments support my change efforts?
- What environmental factors impede my progress?
- What adjustments can I make to better support my goals?
L: Lifestyle
Which wellness activators do I feel most confident about?
Breath, Nutrition, Sleep, Security, Connection, Nature, Movement, Creativity, Purpose, Authenticity
Which one will I focus on for the next 90 days?
Breath, Nutrition, Sleep, Security, Connection, Nature, Movement, Creativity, Purpose, Authenticity
What other wellness activators should I consider?
What potential obstacles should I be aware of?
What resources do I need to support my change?
L: Learning
- Which category resonates with me most right now?
- What is my top takeaway from reflecting on these questions?
- What am I excited to learn during this process? How do I prefer to learn?
- What barriers exist to my learning and growth? How can I overcome them?
- How will I continue to nurture my skills and goals in the future?
Final Thoughts
Remember, this is a process. These questions are a tool you can revisit to align any change with your whole person, lifestyle, environment, and learning style, transforming resolutions into lasting change.
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