The last few weeks have been quite a motivational struggle for me. I know I am not the only one. It’s getting colder, it’s getting darker, and for those of you in Iowa, you know the weather has been absolutely terrible!

I would say most if not all of us will experience a slump at some point in our life, but you can’t let it discourage you. There are ways that can help alleviate these feelings of idleness. These are a few things that I do.

Drink Tea

Having a warm drink can soothe your body and mind. Tea is aromatic, too, and that can really help you feel a lot better! I usually go for an herbal tea that does not have caffeine, or a green tea that has minimal caffeine. Either way, drinking tea is a great way to settle you down, warm you up, and keep you hydrated.

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to balance your mind, and you don’t always have to set aside a lot of time to do it. Throughout my day, I will close my eyes and focus on a feeling or sound for about 10 seconds or so. Breathing is also important when you do this! When I focus on a positive feeling or sound, it reboots my thinking onto a more motivated path.

Go To Bed Early

It’s important to get enough sleep each night, because you literally need sleep to survive. If I am having a bad day, sometimes an extra hour of sleep can make a big difference. I wake up feeling a lot more positive and ready for another day.

Talk To Friends and Family

Socialize! Call somebody on the phone and have a real conversation with them. It doesn’t have to be about your day or about how you’re feeling, but having a casual conversation with another person can really boost your spirits. I like to talk to my brother, parents, or even my grandparents!

Cuddle/Play With My Dog

Dogs are great because they’re always up for an adventure, even if it’s just throwing a ball down the hallway! You’ll spot my dog, PJ, a few times in my Pet Photography Gallery. He’s the black dog with white chest markings and socks. Giving him extra play time and belly scratches always makes me feel happy and it makes him happier too. If you have a pet, give them some extra attention. It’ll be good for both of you!

Do the Task That I’m Dreading

Sometimes it’s best to just rip off the bandage. Putting off the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, etc. makes my lack of motivation even worse in many cases. If I can muster up the energy to just do the tasks that I don’t want to do, most of the time, it will push me to do more and my motivation problem is gone! The hardest part is starting.

We can’t let our slump get the best of us, because we are all better than that. Ask others for help and learn to rely on yourself for motivation. If you can do those things, you will be okay!

∆ Abbi