It’s a new year, the traditional time to make resolutions. Using a few of these tips, you can stay motivated toward your goals – whether it be improving your health, your mind, or your emotional and mental wellbeing.
The Key to Maintaining Physical and Mental Health Motivation
Set Realistic Goals
Goal setting is a balance between trying to accomplish tasks that are very difficult and those that are so easily attained that they don’t provide any sense of self-worth or achievement.
Your goals should be specific. For example:
- Walk 30 minutes three times a week
- Take an art class
- Volunteer at a local organization
- Practice a musical instrument for an hour a week
You should have a clear idea as to why you have set these specific goals. If you aren’t sure why you’re doing something, you may struggle with your physical and mental health motivation. You must accept and understand the importance of what you want to achieve. However, don’t set too many goals, which could only lead to frustration from those not achieved.
When you begin determining your goals, identify the resources you will need to accomplish them. Do you have the correct footwear and clothes to walk in? Where can you find an art class? What organizations should you research when you consider volunteering?
Increase your Accountability
Having a spouse, relative, or friend who is aware of your goals can help with physical and mental health motivation as well. They can act as a cheerleader when you are struggling, and help you remember why you chose those specific goals.
Start a Daily Routine
Success stems from a positive routine. Planning your schedule helps you overcome the frustration of trying to figure out your day every morning. An example of a routine:
- Begin with a cup of green tea and a light breakfast
- Read a book for 20 minutes
- Perform some light exercise
- Plan a healthy lunch
- Call a friend or relative
The point is to have a routine in place that carries you along throughout the day.
Your routine can be altered to fit your needs or schedule, but having some prior direction in mind is a good start. To help keep you on track, jot down some reminders about your plans.
If you follow a healthy routine long enough, you can develop the healthy habits that you desire.
Create a Vision Board
Vision boards are a motivational device consisting of a collage of images and words that represent goals and dreams.
For example, if you want to begin exercising, your vision board could include a photo of someone riding a bike. If you’ve resolved to eat more nutritious food, a photo of a vegetable garden would help remind you of that goal. You can also add motivational sayings, or single words that remind you of or inspire you to reach your goals. The idea is to visually attach your emotions to what you have created on your vision board as a clear and powerful reminder of what you want to achieve.
Let Go of What is Weighing You Down
As you age, it may seem that you have less and less control over your life. Diminished health, the loss of loved ones, loneliness, economic challenges, and bad news around the world seem to always be prevalent. All of these things can affect your ability to stay motivated, even though they are often beyond your control.
To counter their negativity, you must retrain your thinking. That doesn’t mean denying reality or burying your head in the sand; rather, it means looking for the positive aspects in your life. All you have to do is look for them!
Be Positive
Having a positive attitude helps you cope with stress, which can have harmful health effects on your mind and body, and be a huge motivational drain.
Periodically evaluate your mindset throughout the day. If you find that your thoughts are predominantly negative, consciously try to put a positive spin on them.
For example: If you anticipate failure because you’ve never done something before, consider it a learning opportunity. Remember, you still have capabilities and resources you can explore. You are stronger than you may believe.
Find Humor
Watch a funny movie. Listen to a comedy routine. Laughter is associated with a positive mood, increased life satisfaction, and an engaging life. It also provides energy that fuels your physical and mental health motivation.
Find Positive People
The people you spend your life with greatly influence your thinking and your attitude. Positive people will motivate you to do things, make you happier, and instill a feeling of connectedness and gratitude for the life you have.
Don’t Be Afraid to Learn New Things
Do you hesitate to try new things because you are scared to fail? A willingness to learn is a choice that exposes us to the challenges of approaching something unfamiliar to us. But learning should be a lifelong pursuit. It provides joy, an increased depth of understanding, and appreciation for the world around us. It can also be pleasantly addictive.
Pursue goals and experiences that inspire and motivate you in positive directions. Life is about moving forward!
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