Exploring the concept of 'intentional vitality' reveals a holistic approach to living that integrates mindfulness, purpose, and joy into our daily existence. Zoa begins by dissecting the term 'intentional', highlighting that it encapsulates choices made with awareness and purpose, as opposed to actions driven by habit or chance. This intentionality is crucial for creating a life rich in vitality, defined as the capacity to thrive, grow, and experience a meaningful existence. Vitality is presented not merely as being alive, but as possessing the energy and strength to engage fully with the world around us.

Throughout the episode, Zoa emphasizes that intentional vitality encompasses a wide array of life choices, from nutrition and exercise to how we interact with ourselves and others. Listeners are invited to reflect on their daily routines—what they eat, how they treat themselves, and the environments they create. Each of these elements plays a pivotal role in cultivating a vibrant life. The importance of community and relationships is also discussed, showcasing how the people we surround ourselves with can significantly influence our vitality. By consciously choosing to engage with positivity and support, we enhance our overall energy and joy.

The narrative further engages with practical strategies for integrating intentional vitality into everyday life. Zoa encourages listeners to be mindful of their habits, suggesting that even small, intentional actions—such as savoring a cup of coffee or taking a moment to breathe—can significantly impact one’s sense of vitality. The episode culminates in a powerful reminder that nurturing oneself is not just a luxury but a necessity for a fulfilling life. Embracing intentional vitality is portrayed as an accessible goal for everyone, empowering individuals to take proactive steps towards a more vibrant and joyful existence.

Takeaways:

• Intentional vitality is about making conscious choices that promote a meaningful and joyful life.
• Vitality encompasses energy and strength, allowing individuals to thrive in their existence.
• The concept of intentional vitality includes considerations of diet, relationships, and self-talk.
• To achieve intentional vitality, one must prioritize self-care and nurturing every day.
• Intentional vitality involves evaluating what surrounds you and influences your wellbeing.
• Being intentionally vital means recognizing the importance of both physical and mental health in life.

Today we're going to talk about intentional vitality. What is intentional vitality? Well, let's discuss the two words separately.

Intentional. It means on purpose, done deliberately, voluntary, by design. Freedom of choice. There's a goal, it's consciously chosen.

You understand the consequences of the action, anticipation of the result, a calculated decision. So intentional means that you really, really want to do it. There's a purpose, a reason, a goal.

You've chosen, whatever it is, because of the consequences that you're anticipating and you're choosing freely. Intentionally intentional is not by accident. It's not a surprise. It's not unexpected. Completely the opposite.

Intentional is not things done on a whim. There is very little in the way of the "what the fuck? I'll try this". There is no coincidence here. Intentional is very deliberate.

So what about vitality? Vitality, if you look up the definition, is the capacity to live, to grow, and to develop. It's the difference between being alive and not alive.

Vitality is associated with energy, with strength, with enduring, sparkling. Vitality is associated with meaningful and purposeful existence. People who have vitality have the power to survive and thrive.

To be vital is to be robust. Of the greatest importance, aliveness. And for some, vitality is definitely the joy of living. Vitality is not feeling listless and lifeless.

Vitality is not apathetic or weak. Vitality is not about mediocre. If you're vital, you are not depressed. There's no dullness, you're not drab. Vitality is not unsteady.

There's no decline. Vitality is life. So when you put those two together, what is intentional vitality?

One could say that it's the design of a conscious, purposeful actions chosen for their ability to create and sustain your long, meaningful, unlimited life that's full of sparkle, energy and the joy of living. Intentional vitality includes what you eat, when you eat it, who prepared the meal, who grew the food, and who you eat with.

These are all purposeful choices. And while they might not all be as purposeful as the rest on any given day, you are considering that they're all important choices.

They're all intentional choices.

So if you normally eat a very healthy, clean diet with people that you love, which could be just you, is it still an intentional vitality action when you go out to a restaurant and have food of slightly less quality, but with smiles and laughter with your friends? Absolutely. That would be a great way to be intentionally vital.

Intentional vitality also includes what you say to yourself, particularly the first time you see yourself in the mirror, in the morning.

Intentional Vitality includes what you tell others about yourself and it includes how you honor yourself on your birthday, how you treat yourself on good days and bad days, and how you let others treat you.

Intentional Vitality includes what time you go to bed, what you do in the two hours before bed, who is in your bed, the room temperature and the lighting that prepares you and helps you sleep, what kind of sheets you sleep on, the smells in your bedroom, and whether or not you are truly ready to get up when that alarm goes off in the morning.

Intentional Vitality includes what and who you surround yourself with, what you strive to keep far away, what helps you thrive in your body, mind, and spirit, and what damages the body, mind, and spirit. Intentional Vitality includes how much you prioritize your body's movement and exercise.

Intentional vitality includes fitting exercise in even when it's hard to fit it in on any given day or week or month. It includes pondering what kind of exercise is best for you and which kinds help you heal.

Intentional vitality includes what you give yourself unconditionally and what you only gift to yourself when you have been good. Intentional Vitality includes stopping to breathe. It includes watching the flowers waving in the breeze.

Intentional Vitality includes sitting down to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. Intentional Vitality includes sharing physical touch with whomever you choose, including just yourself.

Intentional vitality includes listening to your favorite song. It includes sitting with your new favorite tree.

Intentional vitality includes whether or not you're in the right job, in the right relationship, eating the right diet. Intentional vitality includes whether or not you should slow down or speed up today. It includes finances. It includes what you clean your house with.

It includes what you dress yourself in, what you put on your skin, what you think, and how you breathe. Intentional vitality is all about you, nurturing and taking care of yourself. You can be intentionally vital every single day.