Intentions vs. Resolutions for Sleep

I’ve noticed a trend over the last few years moving away from New Year’s Resolutions, to New Year’s Intentions. What’s the difference? When you set a resolution, you define a problem and identify the solution. The solution is often a rigid, and far too often, ambitious goal. You either meet the goal, or you don’t. This often leads to individuals abandoning their resolution early on.

An intention, on the other hand, focuses on a way of being. Achieving that result involves more than just one action, allowing you to work towards it in a number of different ways.

Resolutions

For example, sleep resolutions could include:

• I will go to bed at 10:00 PM every night.
• I won’t snack after 8:00 PM.
• I will add a journal entry each night as part of my bedtime routine.

Admittedly, these are all great options to help improve the quality of sleep; however, they set you up for failure as a resolution because they are very specific. Maybe you should be going to bed at 10:00 PM every night, but chances are good that you won’t be able to stick to that goal consistently (at least not without making some other changes first).

Intentions

A sleep intention could include:

• I want to wake up refreshed each morning.
• I want to fall asleep faster each night.
• I want to help my child improve the quality of their sleep.
• I want to set a good example for my child when it comes to healthy sleep habits.

The intention is broader and provides you with more options and actions to explore in an effort to achieve that state of being.  Waking up refreshed each morning or falling asleep faster each night involves taking a lot of different behaviours into consideration and addressing how each play a role in achieving your goal.

What’s Your Sleep Intention?

If you are still thinking about what goals you would like to achieve in 2017, you may want to consider putting the focus on improving the quality of your sleep. Why? Adequate and restorative sleep will put you on the fast track to achieving your other goals.  Lack of sleep is tied to weight gain, anxiety, depression, heart disease, productivity, moodiness and lack of immunity against common illnesses.

But remember, improving the quality of your sleep takes time. There isn’t one magic solution to try. I’d love to know if you are setting a sleep intention for 2017.

Are You Ready to Make Changes To Your Sleep Habits?

If you are ready to make changes and need the guidance and motivation to stay on track, I’m here to help. Book your complimentary 15-minute call to learn how you can make sleep a priority again.