7. Try some simple tasks.
If you have a lot of unpleasant or dull tasks to complete (such as bills, errands, or housework), you might not want to accomplish anything. The idea of dealing with them could seem more intimidating if they have been accumulating.
Make a list of all the things you have to remember to do. Then, order them according to importance – what must be done right away? What may wait till the following month? They can also be arranged according to how simple they are.
Even if it just takes you 20 minutes, choose an easy or high-priority item to complete as your daily task. You can get out of this state of helplessness and get back on track by taking action, no matter how tiny.
Once you’re finished, check it off your list and allow yourself to relax the rest of the day.
8. Establish your mood.
Controlling your inputs is a fantastic approach to establish the tone for your day. Disable your alerts. Organize your workspace and surrounding area. Get into bed. Make a playlist of songs that you simply love and sing along to them.
Before you object, I will say that music also acts as a dopamine switch.
9. Listen to music.
When you don’t feel like doing much, music might assist fill the silence and give you something to ponder about.
Playing your favorite music can make you feel relaxed (or energized, or excited, or anything else, depending on the genre you like), but it may also have advantages for your brain, such as better attention and memory.
10. Create a plan.
Even if you don’t now feel motivated to work on something, you can still begin formulating ideas for what you might want to do in the future.
According to studies, mental imagery—the process of imagining the things you want to do—helps boost motivation, pleasure expectations, and reward expectations for those planned activities.
You can have something to look forward to and be excited about by doing anything like organizing a trip or another activity. When considering a future project or goal, you might visualize the finished product, outline the processes required, or even make a mood board for ideas.
11. Start small.
Starting something is frequently the most difficult part when trying to muster the energy to do it. So if you’re having trouble with the blues, starting small can be helpful.
Choose one tiny thing you can do and then do it rather than becoming overwhelmed by a mountain of activities you lack the mental or physical stamina to do.
You could attempt to take on simple chores like:
- Washing the dishes
- Making your bed
- Folding a load of laundry
- Answering an email
- Scheduling a meeting
- Putting the counters in order
- Paying one bill
Chores might be monotonous, but if you let them pile up, even the smallest jobs can start to feel daunting. Sometimes all it takes to get things going is one tiny task. After finishing that simple task, you might think that taking on another one won’t be too terrible.
Additionally, it’s okay if you decide to stop after just one! Be kind to yourself and take action when you can.
