Motivation is something we must continuously work on. When life is tough, motivation might be the difference between setting goals and lazing around doing nothing. According to some dictionaries, willpower is actually an energetic determination.
It is the ability to control actions, thoughts, impulses, and behaviors. Moreover, it is the strength of will to continue with specific wishes, plans, and decisions.
But how do those with diabetes keep their motivation or willpower?
Motivation and Diabetes
Exercising motivation is actually a high order when necessary to accomplish something which we want to do. But it’s a huge order when necessary for something which we never asked, like losing 30 pounds, monitoring sugar, and following dietary guidelines.
It’s easy to talk about setting specific goals so we can control our blood glucose levels, take half an hour walks every evening, and not consume anything which is bad for us. However, to complete these goals and tasks, we need motivation.
Why? Cause if we have diabetes, we are well aware that managing this condition might be overwhelming.
Let’s get one thing straight; it is normal to lose motivation sometimes. But there are certain ways with which we can motivate ourselves and get back on track, all we need is to know them and then try them.
Tips to Get Motivation on Track
Although we all think that healthy lifestyle choices need to come naturally as most people want to live productive, long lives and feel good while being the best version of themselves.
However, humans have a pleasure center found in the brain which makes its own rules without having regard for health. In order to shift the motivation into the drive, we need to disengage ourselves from temptation, self-criticism, and stress.
Intrigued? Read on to find out more.
Self-Care and Good Sleep
In order to exercise willpower, we need more mental energy in comparison to other activities. Get plenty of sleep. Without it, we won’t have the mental energy to exercise willpower.
Good self-care will additionally help us have the energy to do activities in which we will enjoy. For example, praying, listening to music, reading, practicing yoga, gardening, dancing, connecting with nature, and animals.
Pay Close Attention to Failure
According to research, paying attention to the way we avoid doing the right thing, and the way we talk ourselves out of things can actually make a positive difference. Interesting, right?
Each morning we should write down our biggest obstacle to get to our goal. We should use details and be specific, as well as make a plan to deal with our obstacles and write the plan down. We should write down how our day went.
We shouldn’t Be Hard on Ourselves
According to research, if we consume one chunk of cheesecake and then feel guilty about our dietary failure and stay in that mood for a long time, it’s is more likely that we are going to have another chunk of cheesecake.
Try the following method, since it works better in comparison to guilt. The first step is to acknowledge to ourselves that we made a mistake and ate something which we shouldn’t have.
Then we need to understand that temptation is normal human behavior. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we are bad or that there is something wrong with us. Then finally we need to let go of the guilt and move on.
Use Rewards
Of course, we want to make healthy choices, and of course that we want to change. Everyone wants to have the best and be the best possible version. However, often our motivation might act like a donkey that needs a carrot in order to move.
According to research, the anticipation of even a small reward stimulates the motivational system which is present in the brain. Obviously, our motivation mechanism likes having a possibility which it needs to chase.
As a matter of fact, people are more likely to resist temptation when the motivational system is activated. Therefore, what we need to do is find ways to reward ourselves for making healthy choices.
Attention to Our Cravings and Feelings
Probably we try to overcome specific cravings, feelings, and thoughts which take us off the track by constantly telling ourselves not to have them. However, the truth is that this doesn’t work for everyone.
When we feel tempted, we should observe or notice our cravings and feelings. Moreover, we should try to overcome cravings and feelings. We should remind ourselves that we are not able to control our feelings and thoughts.
We should think of our commitments and goals for our diabetes management, and based on that to make a decision.
Keep Things in Perspective
Staying motivated and managing diabetes at the same time might be difficult. It is like that since we might be doing everything right to keep our blood glucose levels in check and still sometimes we might see different numbers.
Moreover, we might have some complications related to our health. What we need to do is to keep things in perspective. Remember one thing; although diabetes is part of our everyday life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it would take over our life.
We are the ones in control; we control our diabetes, it doesn’t control us. Everything which we do in order to manage this condition is making a massive difference in the quality of the life we live now and which we will live in the future.
Yes, the truth is that things will not always be perfect. However taking good self-care might lead to lowering the chance of issues with our kidneys, heart, eyes, and feet.
In addition, we need to surround ourselves with individuals who motivate and encourage us, like our friends, health professionals, family, and exercise buddies. We need to take things one day at a time while being focused on the positive things.
Conclusion
We should always remind ourselves that we are managing the condition for ourselves and not for others. Therefore, it is necessary to have the drive in order to stay on track.
We should do that not because is something we should do, but because we want to be the best possible version of ourselves. If we want to live a happy and long life, we must set goals and realize them. In order to do that we need motivation.
We hope that the suggestions and tips above mentioned will work for anyone to accomplish their daily and long-term goals, and will help them to stay motivated no matter what.
