The Easiest Way to Get Motivated When Depressed

When you’re depressed, motivation can be hard to come by. It’s easy to just sit at home, wallowing in sadness and not feeling like doing anything else. However, it’s important to take advantage of this time and use it as an opportunity to improve yourself in some way or another. This article will teach you how to get motivated when depressed so that you can work on improving your life and moving forward with confidence.

Eat healthier

If you’re down in the dumps, your body is likely not getting what it needs. And if you don’t take care of your body, chances are you won’t feel motivated to do much else—let alone make a big effort with work. So, how can you make sure that eating right can help lift your spirits? One tip: Avoid sugar and refined carbs for at least two weeks. Instead, load up on complex carbs like sweet potatoes, whole grains (like quinoa), legumes (like beans), green veggies, and citrus fruits. Research suggests these types of foods can play an important role in managing depression symptoms.

Exercise

Incorporating exercise into your day is a great way to feel more motivated. But sometimes it’s hard to get off the couch and out of bed when you don’t feel like getting up. The key, then, is not expecting yourself to go from zero activity to 30 minutes of intense exercise—that would be setting yourself up for failure and increasing your likelihood of feeling unmotivated. Instead, do a little bit at a time.

Have A Bigger Goal

Having a bigger goal is an effective way to get motivated when depressed. It also helps take your mind off whatever you are sad about and find something positive. Think about how happy you’ll be once you achieve that goal. And then remind yourself of why it’s important, i.e., if it’s financial stability or helping others, etc. Every time a negative thought enters your head, replace it with one of these motivating goals.

Read a Book

Everyone knows that reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It keeps your mind sharp, fuels creativity, and makes you more observant of your surroundings. But there’s another advantage that’s less well-known: Reading helps improve mood in a way few other activities can match. The more you read, even if it’s only for five minutes at a time, the better you feel as time goes on. Some of these books are best enjoyed when you’re already feeling pretty good—but some are meant to help lift your spirits, too. Check out these 15 titles about depression that might just help bring back that sense of joy in your life. And don’t forget an actual pen or pencil; researchers from University College London found participants who doodled while listening to a lecture felt calmer and more positive after class than those who didn’t.

Listen To Audiobooks While Working Out or Driving

When you’re feeling depressed, you don’t want to be bothered with anything. It can be hard to get motivated and do stuff. That’s why listening to audiobooks while driving or working out are great ways of getting yourself motivated while keeping occupied during your day. Audiobooks keep your mind busy and focused on what you’re doing. So, it may not necessarily change your mood but it will keep you from feeling even worse than before when you started listening!

Go Outside For A Walk

Going outside is one of those little things that can make all the difference when you’re depressed. Take a walk and get some sunlight. The natural light helps boost your mood while going outside removes you from your normal routine and environment which may be contributing to your depression. For example, if you’re a college student and normally study in your dorm room, go hang out at a nearby coffee shop for an hour or two instead.

Chat With Friends And Family

It’s one of those clichés that never fails to make sense: People who surround themselves with positive people, who share their interests and lift them up when they need them, are more likely to be motivated. So talk with friends or family. Tell them what you want, how you’re going about getting it, and where you hope things will end up for you. Then, when you feel yourself slipping into a rut—or worse—reach out. They may not always have a solution, but knowing someone else is invested in your success makes all the difference in helping get moving again. Besides, as your cheerleaders, they may surprise you by coming up with some new perspective on an old problem or fresh motivation to push you forward. if you want to get Research Says About Fear of Self-Motivation.