Improve your day by setting intentions

Liz Lowe believes setting intentions using a chosen word can have a positive impact on our daily habits and interactions

Intention setting can bring focus and have a positive impact on our daily habits and interactions.

You might choose a word to carry with you, such as ‘kindness’ ‘gratitude’ or ‘patience’.

Returning to this word throughout the day can help cultivate a more positive attitude both to yourself and to others, enabling you to move through life in a gentler, more positive way.

Try not to worry about the outcome – the result isn’t the aim – but approach the exercise with an attitude of curiosity and notice if your intention impacts your behaviour or mood, and in what way. There might be surprising results. For example, an intention of ‘kindness’ or ‘compassion’ could also guide the food choices you make, the way you choose to move your body, how much you prioritise rest, and so on.

Intentions can be helpful on those frantic days which don’t allow for any movement, rest or time outdoors.

They can also be effective when work or personal challenges loom. Small gains add up and using intentions to encourage slight shifts in mindset can help to build a more positive outlook over time.