It’s normal and natural for everyone to feel lazier on some days more than others. But if you are finding yourself consistently skipping out on your responsibilities or not enjoying your favorite hobbies, there could be something physically or mentally going on that needs your attention.
If you’ve been feeling uncommonly exhausted or sluggish lately, here are some natural tips to motivate yourself and get back into a healthy routine.
Common Causes of Exhaustion
Many people feel sluggish throughout the day because they aren’t getting enough quality sleep at night or are too stressed out during the day to have any downtime to relax. People who suffer from depression often feel exhausted as one of many symptoms. You might feel fatigued if you have fibromyalgia, if you have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, or if you have an underactive thyroid that affects your metabolism. Since there are so many reasons why you might lack energy on a daily basis, it’s important to track your energy levels from day to day and discuss these concerns with a trusted health professional.
Motivation Tips
Whether your feelings of exhaustion are due to an underlying medical condition or just your mood that particular day, there are many effective ways to get yourself active and motivated again. Here are some tips to try.
Rethink Your To-Do List
For many people, to-do lists are overwhelming and make them want to throw their hands up in the air and give up before they’ve even checked off one item. Instead of making a long to-do list, jot down quick, easy, and manageable goals of varying types to start your day. By actually writing down simple tasks, like taking out the trash or replying to an email you’ve been putting off, you’ll feel more accomplished when you see progress made throughout the day.
Modify Your Breakfast Choices
How you start your day nutritionally has a big impact on how you’ll feel energy-wise later on. Fresh fruit and oatmeal are great choices for an energizing breakfast, as opposed to a calorie-heavy doughnut or sugary cereal. Grapes are energizing snacks to take with you maintain energy. Also stay hydrated with lots of water during the day to keep your motivation up, perhaps with a bit of lemon for an energizing boost.
Switch Up Your Physical Location
Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to get your motivation to pick up again. If you’re feeling drained while staring at your computer trying to work, switch things up by doing some housework instead or running an errand to a local store. You can also try working in a coffeeshop instead of at home or outside on a porch or patio to get some fresh air.
Take an Exercise Break
If you’re feeling exhausted, the last thing you likely feel like doing is exercising. However, getting moving even in the smallest of ways can give you the energy boost you need to get a task done. Go outside for a walk or short jog around the block if you’re feeling unmotivated. Also, make a point to take multiple short breaks throughout the day from whatever you’re doing to keep your mind alert and your body engaged.
Have Someone Hold You Accountable
Very few people can stay motivated all the time by themselves, which is where friends, family, and coworkers come into play. Stay in regular touch with someone you care about who can help motivate your or at least check in to see how you’re doing with accomplishing your goals. Be honest with your accountability partner and patient with yourself as your motivation levels fluctuate from one day to the next.
What are your favorite ways to stay motivated to reach your goals? Share your tips with us in the comment section below.