How to Stay Motivated When You’re Drained

Feeling drained and exhausted, with no creative juices flowing, burnt out but anxious about the important pressing duties you must complete; we have all gone through such situations, and we must confront them from time to time. You’re probably feeling the same way and seeking ways to rekindle your motivation and get you reenergized for work and life; well, look no further. Here are some ideas for staying motivated when you don’t feel like doing anything and are exhausted. Stay with us and regain that inspiration since these simple things may have a big impact on your mood.

1. Go For a Walk

Going on a walk and exercising your body offers several advantages for both your mental and physical well-being. It can help you restore lost motivation by reducing stress and refreshing your mind. You may listen to music while walking or simply enjoy the fresh air and nature’s beauty. Many studies have demonstrated that even a 15-minute walk improves people’s mood and energy. So put on your running shoes, leave your troubles at home, and go for a stroll in nature.

2. Listen to a Podcast

Company matters; those of us who have close friends feel inspired listening to their inspiring talks, and this can bring back some of your own lost motivation. But not all of us have those friends all of the time, and sometimes being alone is all we need. Therefore, listening to a good podcast can be a great way to enjoy some energizing and inspiring people talking and recharge our own lost energy. You can go for a walk while listening to the podcast, or simply grab a cup of hot tea and listen to a good podcast in the background. Following are some of our top recommendations:

• The High-Performance Podcast
• The Wellness Café
• The Daily Stoic
• Radiolab
• Anything Goes With Emma Chamberlain

And the good news is that you don’t need anything fancy to enjoy these amazing podcasts; all you need is a stable internet connection.

3. Take a Break

Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery, a trip somewhere new. So, take some money out of your pocket and go on that trip you’ve been planning for a long time. Going to new places and experiencing new and different environments will help your brain start thinking fresh and bring in some new ideas, restoring your creativity and motivation.

4. Read a Book

It is said that if you are stuck for ideas, read a book. There are many books that will allow you to consider the themes from your own point of view, which is like an exercise for your brain to get it back to being creative. So grab a book, head to that cozy little café, and get lost in the story. You will undoubtedly feel much better afterward. Here are some great books we recommend for you to read:

• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
• Drive by Daniel Pink
• Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley
• You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
• Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven

5. Try Something New

If you’re tired of the same old routine and don’t think you can go on another day, take a break and try something new. It could be going to new places, meeting new people, or trying out new fun activities. Spend some time painting if painting or drawing fascinates you, or learn a new instrument if you want to. You don’t have to be perfect at your hobbies; all that matters is that you enjoy them and feel refreshed while doing them.

6. Declutter Your Space

Many people believe that a cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind. So, if you’ve been meaning to clean your room or closet, now is the time. Decluttering your space can have a significant positive impact on your mind. Seeing things around you in order will automatically signal your brain that things are under control, and you will feel less stressed and more refreshed. So clean your space, clear your devices of useless apps, and clean yourself by taking a relaxing bath to wash away that demotivation.

7. Do Nothing!

We understand that there are times when you are so drained and exhausted that the best thing to do is nothing at all. Sit alone with yourself and take a break from everything. Clear your mind and do whatever you want, whether it’s a nap or eating your favorite cheat food. Allowing yourself enough time to recover from the burnout will provide you with the motivation and energy you need to get back on track, and with more energy this time.

To Conclude,

We all have days when we feel exhausted and burned out from all of our daily responsibilities. Taking a break and doing something different can help you regain the motivation and inspiration needed to carry on with your life.

 

8 Ways to Have More Energy Today

Life comes at you fast, and sometimes you wish you had more energy, right? You feel awake and alert when you go to school, work or other obligations until you hit a wall. You feel tired, and you need a pick-me-up. Find out how you can have more energy today using these eight tips.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important ways our bodies get energy. It determines how you start your day and how much energy you’ll have to do your tasks. Adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. When you get enough sleep, you feel more alert throughout the day, leading to better decision making, an improved mood and a better immune system, among other positives.

When you go to sleep, give your body time to wind down and fall asleep so that you get the necessary amount your body needs. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day will help your body get into a routine and fall asleep faster each night.

Prepare a Filling Breakfast

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? The answer may be subjective, but starting your day off properly after a restful night of sleep is essential. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s helpful to have a balanced meal. When your meal is balanced, you’re eating a combination of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Proteins for breakfast include Greek yogurt, tofu, eggs, sausage, ham and more. Carbs are especially vital at breakfast because they’re your body’s preferred energy source. You can find carbs in fruits, potatoes and whole-grain bread. Healthy fats, also known as unsaturated fat, are another energy source for your body, and you can find them in avocados, nuts, seeds and fish.

Eat Snacks Between Meals

Eating a balanced meal is excellent and can keep you satiated for a while. But, if you know you’re going to have a long time gap between meals, you can try eating snacks in between so you can re-energize yourself. Fruits particularly are great energy boosters because of their sugar content. Fruits like berries, bananas and apples are low in calories and have fiber that will help regulate your digestive tract. Foods high in fiber take longer for your body to digest, so they keep you fuller than low-fiber foods.

 

Drink More Water

Water is an essential part of our daily diets. You probably knew that already, but it’s worth repeating. Water plays an integral role in our bodies by regulating our body’s internal temperature and aiding digestion. If you work outside or anticipate being outside for an extended time, ensure you have enough water to keep yourself hydrated. 

Water is a preferred beverage because it has no calories and is the most abundant resource on Earth. If you want water but want a tastier beverage, try adding lemon into your glass for a bright citrus flavor. Simply adding lemon juice to your water or drink of choice also has health benefits like a soothed throat, regulated blood sugar and clearer skin.

 

Go for a Walk

If you’re feeling sluggish, one way to mitigate that is to do some exercise. The exercise can be as simple as taking a quick walk around the neighborhood. Walking, especially outside, can increase your blood flow and give you the fresh air your body craves. The blood reaches as far down as your legs and up as your brain, giving you energy. Physical exercise can boost your immune system, which helps prevent you from getting sick and losing the energy you’re trying to gain.

 

Take a Cat Nap

Sometimes you can try to do everything right, but you still can’t get a good night of sleep. There could have been a storm, a family emergency or a full night of dogs barking. If you are unable to get adequate sleep, try fitting a nap into your schedule the next day. Rest as short as 20 minutes can be the reset your body needs. You’ll feel more alert and ready to take on the rest of the day. 

 

Drink Caffeine

If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ll like this tip. Caffeine is a stimulant that effectively gives your body an energy boost during the day. Stimulants help your brain and nervous system by distributing chemicals around your body. The chemical circulation helps explain if you’ve ever felt an adrenaline rush after drinking coffee.

Be mindful of your caffeine intake and avoid drinking it in the evening because it may give you too much energy when you want to rest.

 

Check Your Thyroid

Sometimes your energy levels can be out of your control. If you try a bunch of different strategies and nothing seems to work, it may be time to speak to a doctor to see if there is an unknown health issue. One possibility some people deal with is a dysfunctional thyroid. Hyperthyroidism leads to an overactive thyroid that speeds up your metabolism. Hypothyroidism makes your thyroid underactive and your metabolism slower. Either issue with your thyroid leads to tiredness and general fatigue.

 

Small Changes, High Rewards

Taking steps to give yourself more energy is commendable because your body and mind will reward you in many facets of your life. Changes as simple as drinking more water, going for a walk or going to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual can profoundly impact your energy levels. These eight minor adjustments and any other tip you try will compound and give you more energy daily.

 

About The Author

Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy. 

 

 

The 7 Deadly Sins of Exhaustion – why we’re making ourselves more tired than ever

We’re living in demanding times. Despite the reported rise in free time since the start of the pandemic, many of us are feeling tired. A Time report found that ‘why am I so tired?’ was one of the most common Google searches of 2020.

Yet while many of us think that the lack of sleep is the cause, fatigue comes in many forms. ground-breaking new book by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith identifies seven areas of modern living that cause exhaustion, and how we can combat them. Here are seven important tips to follow as we approach the busy festive season.

Physical – poor posture

We only get one body, for the most part, but most of us aren’t treating it like the special instrument that it is. Office and home working means we are often sitting in unnatural ways, squinting at the computer screen and holding a bad posture. 

Dr. Dalton-Smith advises ‘body fluidity’ exercises, which can be something as small as lying on a mat for five minutes to straighten out the back. Stretches, particularly before and after sleep, are also vital if we want to improve our posture.

Better posture makes the body feel better, and gives us more energy, reducing fatigue in the process. Just a few minutes of simple exercises each day could make a huge difference.

Mental – low-yield activities

The average person is only awake for 66% of the day, but we spend a lot of that devoting brainpower to tasks that bring us little benefit. Checking emails is the 21st century equivalent to going to the front door to look for mail that hasn’t arrived: a fruitless exercise that expends energy. 

The trick is to only check your inbox at set times every day. You won’t miss out on anything important – even urgent emails can normally wait a few hours – and you can devote that precious time to something else. 

Notifications also bite chunks of time out of our day: perhaps it’s a reminder to wish someone a happy birthday on Facebook, or check to see if you have the winning lottery numbers. Either way, if you really want to carry out small tasks, make a list and dedicate half an hour to them each day. 

Emotional – spending time with ‘draining’ people

Emotional exhaustion is perhaps the most difficult area to pinpoint. We know when our legs ache, or if our mind is a little foggy, but how do we know when we’re emotionally zapped?

Dr. Dalton-Smith’s rest quiz offers some help in addressing this problem, and her advice involves steering clear on ‘draining’ people: that is, those that take our energy away rather than add to it.

This can be hard to do, particularly if a ‘drainer’ is a close friend, but the key is to manage your time with them. Maybe in small doses, rather than spending a whole day with them, or only seeing them when you feel at your best. 

Emotional exhaustion is the one area we tend to overlook, so it’s important we pay attention to it.

Social – not spending enough time with ‘comfort’ friends

On a similar note to the previous point, not spending enough time with people who energize us is another factor in causing fatigue. Social rest, according to the doctor, doesn’t mean staying in, but replenishing your energy reserves by hanging out with someone who gives you positive feelings. 

This might be going to a favourite restaurant or café and just having a laugh with your friend – the important thing, according to Dalton-Smith, is that you just relax and forget about your worries.

Sensory – not finding a quiet space

We live in a highly stimulated world, full of digital sounds and white noise that our bodies simply haven’t evolved to withstand a constant barrage. 

‘Sensory rest deficits’ are what our bodies suffer from when we don’t take time to find a quiet spot away from the mayhem of daily life. You may not realise it, but the hum of background noise irritates you and adds to sensory overload and, thus exhaustion. 

The guide recommends you create a space that’s as silent as possible or, at least, has a soothing playlist on in the background. Light candles, read, meditate: do whatever you have to do to give those human senses a much-needed rest.

Creative – staying away from inspiration

Our minds are constantly dealing with day-to-day tasks, from driving to work to choosing what to have for dinner – however, this crowds out space in our heads that we need to come up with something creative. 

Everyone is creative in their own way, and studies have found that feeling inspired is a great energy booster. We can maximise our creative side by making the time to do something insightful every day – these activities might include a trip to a museum or just going for a walk when you get a spare half an hour. 

A change is as good as a rest and it might be what you need to fire up your creative side.

Spiritual – staying away from spiritual work

When Dalton-Smith speaks of spiritual work, she doesn’t mean religious duties, or anything related to it. Instead, she believes that many of us stay away from activities that help the community, such as voluntary work. 

In doing this, we not only help those in need, but we help ourselves. Helping outat a charity, for example, gives us a feeling of being wanted, of belonging to a community, and so energizes our feel-good factor.

Just doing this for a couple of hours a month might be enough to make significant changes. While it might not sound like rest in the classic sense, it can provide us with the same power-boosting properties that sleep does. 

 

5 Tips to Increase Productivity While Working Remotely

We all wish that the “working from home is perfect and you can save so much time” myth were true. In theory, home-based work eliminates all the time we spend going to and from the office, and it lets you organize your own schedule, eat home-cooked meals, and so much more. So why is it so difficult to focus and work while you’re at home?

First of all, you’re dealing with all kinds of distractions, your brain isn’t used to the environment that you normally perceive as anything but professional, and chances are, family. Luckily, there are ways to deal with all that and so much more that might be playing havoc with your ability to work remotely. Let’s check out a few useful tips to boost productivity.

Limit digital distractions 

Our online habits are different when we’re at home or at work. It makes sense to feel the urge to go on Facebook or Instagram, but there are tools to help you minimize these distractions. For example, the Chrome plugin called Mindful Browsing lets you know when you’re being unproductive, but without sounding judgmental. Instead, you get to see some lovely nature photos and get a reminder to focus on work.

Tools like Freedom, on the other hand, can be connected to a wide array of digital devices and you can block apps and sites that distract you during a designated time of day. Block off your work hours with such apps, and you won’t be procrastinating that easily soon.

Amplify your Google Workspace

In addition to what you’re not supposed to do while working, there are things that you can do better to be more productive. Like most professionals using Google Workspace, you likely communicate with your colleagues via email and other tools regularly, but you also need to swap contact details with each other.

Since Google Workspace doesn’t have that feature built into the system, you can share Google Contacts with the help of a dedicated add-on called Shared Contacts. Once activated, it lets you seamlessly exchange contact details with your team members, assign editing rights, and organize your contact base properly. You’ll no longer waste time searching for contact details, but have everything at your fingertips and ready for your teams.

Organize a dedicated work area

As we’ve mentioned before, your work setting has an impact on how productive you’ll be. So, if you’re spending your work hours stuck in an uncomfortable chair, slouched over a desk that’s too low, and without proper lighting, you’re bound to have issues.

Design your home office to be adapted to your work needs, so add a well-organized file cabinet, a supportive chair, and don’t forget a LED lamp. This should help you feel good while you work and avoid all kinds of strain that would lead to a lack of focus.

Choose a smart project management tool

With so many digital outlets you’re using, you could be feeling overwhelmed with messages, tasks, and managing everything flooding your inboxes. Getting a project management tool like Zoho Projects can simplify the entire process significantly, keeping it all under one roof, with automated alerts and notifications.

Organizing your projects and tasks can be much simpler with one tool to do it all. Then, you can check your progress, see which milestones you need to meet, and what you can delegate to free up some of your time.

Stick to a work schedule 

Just like your evening routine can help you amp up your mornings to be energized and refreshed, setting a clear and detailed work routine will allow you to focus properly. When we work remotely, we’re tempted to spend most of our time checking our personal social media pages, doing some laundry, and enjoying the occasional cup of coffee. All that’s natural, but when it’s time to work, you should be able to avoid finding all the other chores that suddenly need to get done.

Create a schedule that gives you an overview of what needs to get done each hour of your workday. That alone will help you grasp how much there is to finish, and how much time you really need for each task. The schedule can then help you refine your hours based on performance and give yourself the chance to get more done.

Finally, we need to say goodbye to the idea that productivity can or should be a constant state. It fluctuates and you’re allowed to be a little slow on some days, especially when you don’t get enough sleep or you’re handling a particularly tedious project.

Despite it all, you can use these and other tips inspired by them to improve your ability to focus and get more done in less time, no matter where you are or who’s around you.

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How to Make the Most of Your Extra Free Time: 5 Ideas

 

The pandemic made it more challenging to engage in your favorite activities. Things likely got boring for you pretty quickly. That said, you have the power to reclaim your passion for life, and you should seize it!

 

There’s a world to explore. Sometimes, you just need a bit of inspiration to discover what you love. Here are five ideas for making the most of your extra free time that don’t involve a Netflix marathon.

 

1. Fix Up the Old Homestead

Stop what you’re doing and take a look around your house. Chances are, you can find multiple things you’d like to improve, and fixing them might not take as much money as you think. Why not put your handyman skills to the test?

 

You don’t necessarily need to swing a hammer. If your home’s look needs an upgrade, you can find inexpensive prints and frames at your local dollar store to transform your walls into an art gallery. Get crafty with ideas like repainting an old ladder into a plant stand for your aloe and spider plants.

 

If you do have money, make it work for you by adding to your curb appeal and resale value. Tasks like upgrading your garage door make your neighborhood look more appealing to buyers while improving your family’s safety and comfort. Add shelves, pegboard and cabinets to the area, as many would-be homeowners want more storage space.

 

Another worthwhile investment is upgrading your outdoor living space. Even if it’s too cold to pour concrete to support deck posts, you can map out the project and purchase materials.

 

2. Immerse Yourself in a New Culture

Travel restrictions make life no fun for the passport set. However, there’s no reason why you can’t participate in a little cultural immersion stateside.

 

Start by mastering a new language. If you haven’t used a foreign tongue since high school French, you’ll delight in the host of language learning apps you can choose from today. If you have 15 minutes extra each day, you can eventually learn to converse in Japanese.

 

Then, get in the kitchen. Forget the take-out menu and learn to cook authentic Chinese dishes as you’d find on the streets of Beijing. Your taste buds don’t need a vaccine passport to enjoy some Assam Laksa.

 

3. Build a Side Business 

It doesn’t matter if all you wanted when you grew up was to have a “good” job and a home. The economic reality in the United States means that no matter how hard you labor, you probably don’t earn enough to keep up with soaring housing, health care and educational costs unless you get lucky.

 

Unfortunately, you’re also human, and if your hourly rate doesn’t cut the mustard, you can only take on so many side hustles before you crash and burn. If only you could make money while you sleep.

 

Guess what? You can, with the right side hustle. While it may take you a while to design, why not create a Udemy course? Other ideas include starting a blog or a YouTube channel.

 

4. Test Your Physical Limits

Have you always wanted the bragging rights of saying you finished a marathon? If you have some extra free time on your hands, why not start training? Don’t laugh — the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and you will improve with practice even if you struggle to circle the block now.

 

Not everyone enjoys running, but testing your physical limits is a fun way to fill your hours. If you prefer to remain indoors, clear some space and try one of the most challenging yoga asanas imaginable. Are you more the tough-guy sort? Why not add some plates to your home gym and see how far you can take your bench press?

 

5. Give Back to Your Community

There are so many people hurting right now. If you have some extra free time, why not see how you can give back to your community?

You don’t have to venture back into public while the threat of COVID-19 lingers. You can find virtual volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference from your living room.

Make the Most of Your Extra Free Time With These Five Ideas

There’s no need for you ever to feel bored with all life has to explore. Make the most of your extra free time with the five ideas above.

 

About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
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