Editors Note: This story was originally published in 2021, but was updated for the 2023 new year.
2023 is here, and with it comes the opportunity to shift your focus and mindset toward positivity and new possibilities. Whether you want to set personal goals, make big changes, or just get through the day in one piece, here are tips from six Indianapolis-area experts that can help you stay in a positive frame of mind throughout the year.
ASHLEY BUTLER, FOUNDER & CEO OF MYSHERRI
Take some time each day to go outside and take a few deep breaths. Be present. Notice the sensations of being outdoors. What do you hear, see, smell, and feel? Even on dreary or cold days, the mind and body benefit from spending time outside. This is part of my daily practice. It helps remind me I am part of something much bigger than the tasks from a day in the office.
DIANE MOORE, WELLNESS ADVISOR AND ACE-CERTIFIED GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
If you wake up before the alarm goes off or others in the household arise, resist the urge to go back to sleep or immediately pick up your phone, tablet, or computer. Instead, use that time to sit in silence and reflect on how you can create positivity in your day. You can also try writing in a journal about whatever inspires you the most, or stretching two or three times while lying down or standing. Once you have completed that process, slowly introduce sound back into your environment with your favorite music or podcast.
BROOKE RANDOLPH, THERAPIST, AUTHOR, SPEAKER, AND DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING AT THE GREEN HOUSE
BROOKE-RANDOLPH.COM
Choosing one focus word for the year can be a great way to stay focused on your intentions without the pressures of resolutions. That being said, make sure that you are not over-scheduling yourself and taking on too many goals. Most of us fail to leave enough margins in our lives to give us the time and mental space to manage unplanned events like a flat tire, a sick child, or an unexpected project.
JILLIAN MCAFEE, PROFESSIONAL YOGA INSTRUCTOR AND CO-OWNER OF INVOKE STUDIO
INVOKESTUDIO.COM
Set yourself up for success by creating a clear action plan to help you reach your goals. I’m a big planner, and know that I need to schedule in my workouts, yoga practice, or other forms of physical activity. Movement brings me joy, so I book these blocks out in my calendar and stick to them just as if they were a work meeting or doctor’s appointment. Though life inevitably gets crazy, I never regret getting my movement in and know I’m my best self when I practice this tip consistently.
SHELLI VESTER, HEALTH COACH AND OWNER OF SHAPE UP SHELLI
@SHAPEUPSHELLI
If you want to prioritize movement in the New Year, you don’t have to commit to a large-scale fitness routine—the best form of movement is the one that you will continue doing. You can start small by parking in the back of a parking lot, returning your shopping cart inside the store, walking your dog, or going for a stroll for a few minutes on your work break. Another bonus: As you move, your body will naturally release endorphins, which can give your mood a boost.
DANIELLE IRELAND, THERAPIST, SPEAKER, AUTHOR, AND PODCAST HOST
DANIELLEIRELAND.COM
I recommend trying the following “daily check-in.” It’s best used as a journal entry, but could also be used while getting ready in the morning, or as a conversation starter with a loved one.
I feel _____.
I need _____.
I will _____.
For example:
I feel confused.
I need clarity.
I will call a friend, mentor, or coach.
This simple exercise is powerful because it starts with our feelings first. When our actions are rooted in our emotional needs, we’re more likely to find what we’re looking for.
Stephanie Groves is an Indy Maven contributor who needs to start prioritizing movement pronto.
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