The media is full of ways to find motivation. Reading articles, listening to motivational speeches by coaches and trainers repeating "You can do it!", we forget that the easiest ways are at our fingertips. We only need to think carefully and look around us for the motivation to come by itself. The simplest solutions are always the best.
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Open up to the world
Modern society is characterised by incredible choices. Today's world offers a whole range of perspectives to analyse and from which to choose, as often as possible. American researchers have shown that people who live in cities that offer a wide range of choices of places, commonly visited by the public, are more positive about the world. Being in a variety of clubs, bookshops, cafes, parks or libraries increases human social capital. Not surprisingly, being among other people increases the chances of making new friends, strengthening contacts and gaining self-confidence. This leads to eliminating feelings of loneliness, developing self-confidence and, above all, finding the motivation to act. It is hard to deny that large cities offer the best prospects for opening up to the world. However, it is important to remember that people living in smaller towns and cities can also become more active. Regardless of where you live, you can certainly find people in your immediate surroundings with whom it will be easier to pursue common interests and explore passions. You can go to the nearest club or cinema, or simply play your favourite sport on the school playing field or other convenient area. The most important thing is to definitely decide to leave your four walls and go out with a broad smile to the world and to people, and motivation will come on its own.
Smile
There is enormous power in a smile, yet so many people stop using it. Showing a grim face seems safer. Researchers at Wayne University. They have shown that people who smile and enjoy life to the full live about seven years longer than those who do not. The famous theory that laughter is health is also supported by the fact that showing joy strengthens our abdominal, neck and shoulder muscles. It adds beauty, rejuvenates, but most importantly, it helps to combat stress, shyness and pain. A happy person is a healthy person, and therefore a motivated person. When you laugh, your breathing deepens, more fresh air enters your lungs and after just a short while more oxygen circulates in your blood.
This goes straight to the brain, which, feeling the sudden rush of oxygen, starts producing endorphins and serotonin. The former, like morphine, has an analgesic and mood-enhancing effect, while the latter determines mood. It is thanks to serotonin that people are more adventurous and satisfied with life, as it protects against depression and pessimism. Laughter lowers adrenaline and cortisol levels in the blood, the hormones responsible for stress. So it's worth remembering to laugh every day to lower stress levels, and motivation will increase.
Watch a good comedy, organise a crazy get-together of friends (e.g. the obligatory costume - primitive people), play board/movement games (e.g. paintball) with your loved ones. Do you like fb? Look at funny memes for a moment. Look for a good joke, send it to your friends. You'll make them happy and they'll probably be happy to send you something funny too. Spend 15 minutes playing with your child and let your child determine what you play and the rules, let yourself be guided. Surprise your partner in the morning with something that wakes him up. This will provoke him/her to be the one to surprise you next time. Smile at a stranger on the bus, train, it's a great opportunity for a short chat. Look for the child in you, let him act out sometimes.
Where to look for motivation, photo: panthermedia
The power of music
The whole world is made up of sounds, and music has accompanied mankind since the beginning of time. Its salutary effect has been known for a long time. As far back as tribal times, singing, playing instruments and dancing were elements used by shamans during healing rituals. Centuries have passed, but music still has an enormous impact on our wellbeing. It can evoke certain emotional states and experiences in its listeners. Regardless of the genre and the way it is listened to, contact with music itself has a high therapeutic value and, above all, creates our mood. Dutch researchers have proven that there is a much greater power in music. Researchers at the University of Groningen asked study participants to indicate both happy and sad faces while listening to happy and depressing music. It turned out that those taking part in the study were much more successful in pointing to faces whose facial expressions corresponded to the mood created by the music. What's more, participants found indifferent faces to be either happy or sad - depending on the music they were listening to at the time. Regardless of preferences in terms of genre, location or volume, music can colour even the gloomiest day and awaken the motivation to act.
Listen to the music you like. Create a space for yourself to listen to the sounds, the words. Choose the music, think about what you need at that moment - calm, energy, tranquillity? Experiment with music. Go for a walk, listen to the music of what surrounds you. Listen to music with someone close to you, let them choose a song for you and then in response you choose a song for them. This is a great way to seek other expressions of communication in your relationship. It can bring you two very close together. Don't talk, don't comment, just listen. A conversation like this can be very moving for you.
We can look for motivation in every aspect of life. From smiling, to the people and situations around us, to music. The most important thing, however, is not to get discouraged when things don't work out. Once we manage to get out of the house, it's worth visiting places we haven't been before, listening to music along the way to spur us on and smiling at a stranger. Motivation is hidden in the immediate environment and small pleasures, you just have to open yourself up to it.
