Has your get-up-and-go simply got-up-and-gone? We hear you. Try these top 10 tips to get motivated!
Hands up if you just want to curl up under a duvet and hide away from the world, ignoring the ever-growing pile of schoolwork and deadlines? Maybe you’ve been sleeping away the day or binge-watching shows on Netflix – anything to ignore the little nagging voice of responsibility in the back of your mind.
We can relate. Feeling unmotivated happens to us all and it can be difficult to pick yourself up and simply ‘get on with it’. Here are 10 ways to break the vicious cycle to get yourself back on track!
- Set an alarm. Get yourself up at the same time every day. Showering, dressing and doing your hair and/or make-up gives you a good boost and sets you up for the day ahead, even if you have zero plans.
- Start small. Try to focus on just one goal at a time to begin with. You’re less likely to feel overwhelmed and more likely to achieve something if you start with a simple goal.
- Eat properly. It can be easy to slip into the habit of skipping meals or binging on junk food but it’s important to eat at regular intervals every day. You can eat little and often, if you prefer, and treat yourself to feel-good foods like fruit and nuts.
- Get moving. Make time for a quick workout or exercise routine to boost feel-good endorphins. It can be difficult to feel motivated to exercise so you can always start small with a simple walk.
- Get organised. The more the work piles up, the more you can feel overwhelmed and stressed. Make a list of everything that you need to do and create a simple schedule or timetable to make it more manageable.
- Tidy up. De-cluttering your bedroom can go a long way to making you feel better and better prepared to tackle whatever you need to get on with.
- Keep a positivity diary. Jot down the goals you’ve achieved, no matter how small. ‘Showered this morning – yay!’ is a perfectly acceptable achievement.
- Get support. Ask someone to help you stay on track. It could be something as simple as asking a mate to join you for a walk a couple of times a week.
- Get social! Share your goals and achievements online to keep you focused and on-track. Or keep it offline and start a photo diary on your phone to scroll through when you’re feeling unmotivated.
- Be kind to yourself. If you have a bad day and don’t get much done, don’t worry. Just pick yourself up and try again tomorrow. We’re all human and we all have ups and downs. It’s normal to have down days and important not to beat yourself up about it.
Motivation & Depression
Very low motivation is often linked to depression. If you are really struggling with your mental health, you might be finding it almost impossible to find the motivation to do anything at all. That’s perfectly normal and there is help out there for you.
If you think you might have depression, talk to your doctor who can help. You could also talk to a parent or friend or call Childline on 0800 11 11 to talk to a trained counsellor. Whoever you decide to reach out to, don’t be afraid to speak up. There is a world of help out there.For more help on depression: Why Am I So Sad? How Do I Know If I’m Depressed?
