5 Mindfulness Exercises To Stay Motivated During The Day
With the busy and stressful lives people live nowadays, their focus and engagement towards achieving their personal goals and dreams may be inhibited. This is because they are often surrounded by various distractions that decrease their motivation levels and don’t allow them to stay on the right path.
The reality is without motivation, you can’t accomplish anything. There are no goals to aim for and no purpose to strive towards. Therefore, it is crucial that you search for that internal drive to help you achieve your goals and make you more determined to create the life you want to live.
Unfortunately, for many, finding their motivation can be a bit difficult, so they rely on various mindfulness practices to help them stay focused better and longer on the tasks at hand. Here is a list of five strategies you can try out to help you increase your motivation.
1. Read more
Reading is one of the greatest practices that will help you improve your internal drive. There are so many inspiring books and novels where authors and writers talk about the meaning of life, the challenges people face and the tough times they go through every day. Immersing yourself in such readings will definitely inspire you to keep you moving and going towards achieving your goals.
From personal development books written by successful people to inspirational writings by various saints, such as St. Severian, there are so many readings you can choose from to increase your motivation.
2. Practice meditation
Mindful meditation is a type of meditation in which you are intensely aware of the surroundings as well as of your current feelings and emotions. When you practice it, your main focus is on your breathing and the guided imagery you are creating in your head which will help you relax your body and mind and reduce stress levels that inhibit your motivation.
This will further help increase your focus and concentration levels, making you feel more motivated and determined to reach your desired outcomes. So, find a comfortable spot at home and practice mindful meditation to stay motivated at all times.
3. Take a mindful walk
It is well known that being physically active offers plenty of mental benefits, one of which is improving motivation levels. When you engage in physical exercise, your brain releases chemicals called endorphins which trigger a euphoric feeling and help you stay motivated.
For example, mindful walking is a great way to keep your motivation levels high while staying physically active. This exercise involves being aware of every step and breath you take, bringing mindfulness to your body as you notice the sensation of your feet on the ground as well as everything around you.
4. Fire up your five senses
Visualization of your goals using your five senses is another mindfulness exercise you can try out to improve motivation. Seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling and smelling your dream allows you to better imagine yourself accomplishing your goals and making necessary sacrifices to make it happen.
Start by choosing a goal you wish to achieve in the near future and with each of your five senses imagine how it would feel while doing the activity and after you accomplish it. Ask yourself what you will see, hear, taste, feel and smell to help guide you along and keep you motivated.
5. Try a mindfulness wakeup routine
Waking up with a specific purpose in mind is another helpful mindfulness exercise you can try to stay motivated during the day. By setting an intention, you will be more conscious of working towards achieving your goals and allowing your primal emotional and internal drive to guide you along.
For example, your mindfulness wake-up routine can consist of several practices such as sitting in your bed in a relaxed posture with a straight spine, taking several long and deep nourishing breaths, and asking yourself what your intentions are for the day. Once you set your intentions, you can go on with your day feeling fully motivated to accomplish them.
Final thoughts
Staying motivated at all times may be a bit overwhelming for many due to the various stressors and worries people face on a daily basis. Fortunately, this challenge can be easily tackled by practicing effective mindfulness exercises that will help you stay present at the moment, keep you aware of the surroundings and let your internal drive take on.
Whether you prefer mindfulness walking, meditating, or simply reading, there are many strategies and practices you can try out to keep your motivation levels elevated consistently.
