How To Improve Your Motivation Naturally
We all make vows to improve or make some changes in our lives, but often finding the necessary motivation to get things started can be a bit of a challenge.
Consequently, the best laid plans to find a new job, lose weight or finally get the house in order often get postponed. Again.
After everything we’ve been through during the past two years of the Covid pandemic and then being hit by a massive hike in the cost of living, it really is making life difficult for many people to find the motivation to do much of anything. Even getting the simplest of jobs started often feels like pushing water uphill when you are exhausted by the worry of all those bills piling up.
So, to help you focus your mind on the important jobs you need to get done, here are a few tips to help you become – and remain – totally motivated. And as with most things, the natural approach is the best, so as well as using your trusty essential oils there are a few other simple things you can put into the mix to muster the get-up-and-go you need to finally get those projects done.
Get your diet in order
It’s true that you are what you eat, and if your diet primarily consists of unhealthy foods you’re likely to feel sluggish. Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles, found that eating the wrong foods can actually make you lazy, particularly those containing mostly carbohydrates and sugars.
Consequently, it’s important to fill your diet with lots of energy-boosting foods. An iron-rich diet is a great place to start for combating fatigue, and this includes green vegetables and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. Red meat is another popular source of iron, but of course you may have chosen to become a vegetarian. In this case it becomes even more important to ensure your iron levels are maintained.
Omega-3 is also a dietary staple for increasing motivation, as it is known to improve cognitive function. Try oily fish such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts since they are rich in these essential fatty acids.
Don’t forget to add a healthy portion of antioxidants to your diet either, as these help improve blood flow to the brain. Berries, tomatoes and cabbage are just a few options for you to try.
Generate endorphins
Endorphins are great for promoting positive feelings, which help considerably with motivation. The best way to release endorphins is through exercise and it’s important to stay active during the winter.
It’s also crucial to have a varied exercise routine that combines cardio with strength training. To improve strength and balance, yoga is a great exercise system to try as it also incorporates a focus on breathing. This helps to focus the mind, which as you know is essential for improving motivation.
Use your essential oils
Essential oils can be introduced as part of a healthy lifestyle in order to improve motivation, increase your energy levels and uplift your flagging spirits. Adding eight drops eucalyptus essential oil to your bath in the morning will help to rejuvenate you and bring you focus for the rest of the day. Other uplifting and invigorating essential oils to get you up and running include bergamot, black pepper, cardamon, ginger, grapefruit, lime, rosemary. Remember to agitate the water to disperse the oils before you step into the bath.
For a real boost to your system, try Quinessence Energising Synergy which is highly versatile and can be used in a massage, added to a bath, or vaporised in an aromatherapy diffuser or burner. Diffuse this expert blend of pure essential oils in your office or at home to give you an extra boost when you need to get important stuff done.
There’s no doubt that body massage is one of the best ways to enjoy aromatherapy since as well as the healing properties of the oils your body receives the invigorating boost of the massage treatment itself. This combination of essential oils together with the revitalising effects of massage stimulates all of the organs in the body, plus the skin, muscles, nerves and glands. Body massage is not just for relaxation, it can be used effectively to energise you and get you really motivated – no matter what your goal may be.
Take some ‘you’ time
It can be very difficult to become motivated and make changes when you’re already overworked and can’t find time to take stock of what you have already achieved, or where you want to go. Consequently, to find the right motivation it’s important to take time for yourself to get some clarity, and improve your mental wellbeing.
Meditation is a great way to do this as it promotes mindfulness, which ensures you are present in the moment. By focusing on your breathing, you will stop harmful rumination and leave the session feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to go.
While you are meditating you can diffuse some nice relaxing essential oils such as frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood, rose, bergamot, neroli, or ylang ylang. These essential oils can all help you to unwind and relaxing rapidly. If you prefer your essential oils ready-blended, try our Illuminessence Mood Enhancer which was created specially for use with meditation.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew
You will never achieve your dreams if you try to run before you can walk. It’s not good for your mental wellbeing and you’ll soon find you’re becoming stressed, and that’s totally counter-productive to what you’re trying to do. The key is to take baby steps and set small interim goals that are achievable – and this goes for making changes to your lifestyle too.
You must begin with something that isn’t entirely overwhelming, and before you know it you’ll be heading straight towards the place you wanted to be. Just take baby steps. Remember, nothing kills motivation more than failure, so aim for steady progress, not the moon.
Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2022. Written by Geoff Lyth
