Navigating the Challenge of Staying Motivated Today
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Understanding Motivation Struggles
We have all faced a peculiar challenge in maintaining our motivation lately. Numerous articles and social media posts urge us to "be productive!" while many share their experiences of feeling unmotivated.
However, there are straightforward strategies we can employ to rekindle our motivation.
The Impact of Uncertainty
Our motivation is deeply intertwined with our need for certainty—or rather, the absence of it. Humans are inherently planners, equipped with a Default Mode Network (DMN) that allows us to reflect on the past and envision the future. This capacity is more developed in us than in any other species.
Alongside this, we possess basic instincts similar to other animals: to survive and reproduce. The drive for survival, combined with our ability to anticipate future events, creates a strong desire for certainty. A stable future equates to increased chances of survival.
How Your Brain Reacts
When your sense of future certainty is compromised, your brain perceives it as a threat to your safety. In response, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering fight-or-flight reactions. You either confront the danger or escape, depending on what your brain determines is necessary for survival.
Regardless of the choice, the physiological response remains consistent. Your body releases adrenaline into the bloodstream, preparing you to either fight or flee. This powerful hormone elevates heart rate, increases blood pressure, expands the lungs, redirects blood to the muscles, and optimizes metabolism for energy.
However, adrenaline is short-lived. If a prolonged response is needed, your body releases cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which keeps blood sugar levels elevated for brain and muscle function while suppressing non-essential processes like digestion and immune response.
These reactions are automatic, originating from an ancient part of the brain honed over millions of years to ensure our survival.
Confronting Invisible Threats
How do we respond to an unseen threat like COVID-19? Unlike tangible dangers, you cannot confront or flee from a virus that could be lurking anywhere. The constant presence of such a threat leaves our sympathetic nervous systems confused.
Designed for immediate dangers that quickly dissipate, our responses stall when faced with ongoing uncertainty. This leads to sustained cortisol release, which can impair cognitive function and contribute to anxiety, depression, weight gain, and increased vulnerability to infections.
It's no wonder motivation becomes elusive.
Reclaiming Your Drive
Fortunately, there are steps you can take. While you cannot control your initial physiological reactions to perceived threats, you can choose your actions in response.
As we adjust to life post-global lockdown, we are gradually finding a semblance of normalcy; however, uncertainty about the future still lingers. If you're feeling stressed, struggling to focus, or lacking motivation, recognizing that these feelings stem from your brain chemistry is a positive first step. Acknowledging that it’s not entirely your fault can alleviate some stress and enhance your motivation.
First, allow yourself to relax. Don’t pressure yourself to be consistently productive; it's unrealistic to expect constant output. Have a candid conversation with yourself about these unprecedented times.
Second, remind yourself that current circumstances are temporary. Everything in life is transient, and this too shall pass.
Establishing a routine can help restore calm. While your previous routine might have been disrupted, creating a new personal schedule can inject predictability back into your daily life. Increased predictability fosters a sense of certainty, prompting your brain to lower cortisol levels, thereby reducing stress.
Lastly, accept that things may not return to their previous state, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Change is an inherent aspect of life, and our ability to adapt is crucial for survival. It’s how humanity evolved from mere primates to the dominant species on Earth.
If you find it challenging to stay motivated, remember it’s not solely your responsibility. Your brain is simply trying to protect you from an unseen danger. This situation won’t persist indefinitely, and you have the capacity to adapt to whatever lies ahead. Embrace this understanding, and you’ll likely feel your stress begin to dissipate.
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