NEWS
The continuing lockdown combined with
shorter, more wintery days is having a
significant impact on people's motivation,
according to research* undertaken
recently. Joan Haines, Director at Shared
Inspiration, says: "For some of us, our
homes have become the place where
we live, educate children, work, clean,
tidy, plan, organise and carry out most
of our daily lives at the moment, which
is affecting people's wellbeing and
happiness and having a detrimental
effect on many people's motivation to
get stuff done. At Shared Inspiration we
are finding that there are five key factors
that are impacting on people's motivation
at the moment: the weather, comfort
eating, social support - or lack of it,
procrastination and something we call the
''Dormouse effect.'"
Haines and, fellow Shared Inspiration
Director, Jacci Wright, have five tips to
help people tackle these challenges,
helping them to feel more energised and
re-motivated.
1. Get outside - whatever the weather!
The cold, dark winter days can lead to
low mood however a walk or run - or
even just sitting outside - can boost your
mood. There is no need to think that there
is weather that you can't go outside in -
just wear the right kit - check out ebay for
low-cost options.
2. Throw off the duvet and re-invent
the morning commute. The Dormouse
effect, not wanting to leave the warm
comfort off our beds on dark, cold
mornings, can lead to lethargy. If you are
working from home why not re-invent
your morning 'commute', give yourself a
new routine of 'getting to the office'? And
don't forget to practice compassion - if
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (8)
Five easy ways to kickstart motivation during lockdown 3.
today didn't work for you, tomorrow will.
3. Find small pleasures in lockdown.
As many as 67% of people put on weight
during the first lockdown**. If you find
yourself comfort eating, try swapping junk
food for other small pleasures, such as
trying out new healthier recipes, drinking
lots of water, having ready-cut low-calorie
snacks like carrot sticks and celery in the
fridge for those moments when you want
to 'graze'.
4. Reconnect with friends and family.
Maintaining good relationships with the
people we care about can really help our
motivation - see how creative you can
be in still having social supports using
all the platforms available to you, such
as video calls, phone calls, messaging,
zoom - get involved in virtual groups that
are doing things you love, such as book
clubs, quiz nights, knitting clubs, physical
activity, dance… the list of types of groups
springing up right now is endless!
5. Make your own mindset to tackle
procrastination. Often tasks become so
overwhelming that we put them off. A
shift in mindset, such as the 'action brings
satisfaction' mindset, can help kick-start
your motivation to get a job done. Make
up your own mindset to suit your situation
and your challenges. When we feel we
can direct and control our own life we
feel more content and happier, which is
essential for feeling motivated.
Says Haines, "By using any one or all
five of these techniques everyone can give
their energy levels a boost - to feel more in
control and motivated."
*Gallup
**According to Slimming World
www.sharedinspiration.co.uk
continued over
Mr Motivator is back, helping
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