The Worst Mistake A Psychologist Says Demotivated People Make

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how feeling “meh” all the time can be a sign of anhedonia or dysthymia . But according to psychologist Dr Bijal Chheda of Nos Curare , not feeling particularly motivated can be caused by a range of issues and conditions. She said that demotivation is “one of the brain’s early responses to ongoing stress,” explaining, “As stress builds, the brain shifts into energy-saving mode, making focus and initiating tasks feel difficult, which can drain motivation.” This can be common among those with ADHD, for instance, she added. While many of us may try to will ourselves out of these periods, the psychologist said this is a mistake. What should I do if I feel demotivated? Sometimes, Dr Chheda said, the stress and self-blame you feel about not being productive can, ironically, take a lot of energy. “Overwhelm and perfectionism” are common culprits. But believing you’re a failure when you don’t give everything 100% – and thinking you can will yourself back into an A-star performance – is a trap that can sap your motivation, she continued. “If this sounds familiar, it can help to stop relying on willpower and instead lower the barrier to entry. Start with a messy first version, giving yourself permission to do it badly just to get it moving.” I’ve seen success with half-assed workouts , which helped to keep me way more consistent than all-or-nothing exercise regimens I inevitably dropped out of. Science says that tiny shifts in our eating, sleep, and exercise routines – we’re talking two minutes more movement and grams more vegetables a day – can help you to live longer, too. Actively deciding it’s OK to do a less-than-optimal version of whatever task you’re hoping to achieve “ makes it easier to re-engage with the task , without feeling pressure to succeed the first time round,” the expert said. Speak to an expert if demotivation lasts a long time As we’ve mentioned before, feeling demotivated for a long time can be related to anhedonia or dysthymia. “ If you feel this is a consistent pattern, it may be worth exploring whether ADHD could be a factor with a qualified mental health professional,” Dr Chheda added. The NHS says that low mood, which can include not enjoying things you used to, not being able to concentrate, and feeling helpless, can be signs of depression, for which you should consider speaking to a professional. Related... The Nighttime Habit A Psychologist Calls A 'Subtle' Burnout Sign Six Personality Traits That Can Help You Live Longer Psychotherapist Shares The 'Most Powerful' Question To Ask Teens Over Exam Season

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