How to get your motivation back during lockdown
By Haley (Halcyon)
With many of last year's challenges continuing into the new year, it's not surprising that the coronavirus has had a detrimental affect to our motivation and energy levels. Routines have been disrupted and your days will probably look a lot different to this time last year, but you are not alone. Here are some ways to help get your motivation back.
- Reframe your goals. Due to lockdown restrictions, what you want to do might not be possible right now. Think about smaller goals that you can work towards to achieve that bigger goal later.
- Get organised. Create a new weekly plan, and turn those smaller goals into SMART goals. Ensure your plan strikes a good balance between the things you want to do and the things you need to do, and remember to schedule in regular breaks. Taking breaks is said to help with productivity as well as your overall wellbeing.
- Make tasks more fun. Look for ways to make each activity more fun. For example, you could put some music on while doing chores and find a gamification app to keep track of your tasks. For an extra boost, sign up to the app with a few friends to keep the momentum going.
- Get outside. Lack of sunlight from staying indoors is bound to have an affect on us. Take a walk outside, even on a cloudy day as there are still benefits. You can top up your Vitamin D levels from your diet by eating food such as eggs and salmon. You could also consider taking Vitamin D supplements.
- Be kind to yourself. It's okay if you have days where you do nothing. Make self-care a priority and reward yourself when you accomplish something.