I’m sure you have heard the phrase, inspiration is everywhere. That’s because it is. However, the day-to-day grind has a way of getting us down. It can be difficult to get up in the morning and get to work. Then perform your best for hours on end. Finally to come home exhausted just to do it all over again the next day. While scrolling through social media during your free time may be relaxing, it doesn’t help your mood. In many cases, social media use may increase feelings of depression and isolation. This is especially true in young adults and teenagers.
To boost your mood and productivity, sometimes the best thing is to put your phone down. If you need to find inspiration and encouragement, try out one of these four ideas. With the exception of listening to music, none of them involve electronics.
Nature
When you take a walk around a lake or in a park, go camping, or head up to the mountains on the weekend for some hiking and skiing, this can rejuvenate you with zeal, life, and love. Nature reminds us of how lucky we are to live in this beautiful world. To be kind to ourselves and our environment. That life should be enjoyed, and that where you are is an excellent place to be. There’s an abundance of incredible wonders that are waiting, and experiencing nature is one of the most refreshing things you can do.
This is one of the easiest ways to find inspiration. All you have to do is get a breath of fresh air. Head out in the evening to look at the night sky. You can also do a little research and discover new waterfalls, trails, or destinations in your area to visit and provide some memorable moments.
Books/Poetry
Whether you read science fiction or fantasy to be transported to other worlds, you enjoy a good piece of literature, or love reaching for nonfiction to learn about something new and deepen your understanding of history, books can be a major source of inspiration. Not only can reading help you feel more at ease and content, but it can also help take your mind off things.
It can be beneficial to productivity to allow yourself to relax and enjoy hobbies. So it’s perfectly fine if you spend an entire evening burying your nose in a book. Many people turn to poetry in particular to find inspiration or to enhance their comprehension of the meaning of life.
Music
Whether you listen to music to get pumped up and ready to take on a challenge, or you curate playlists to provide a soothing and relaxing feeling, music can have a big impact on mood. It makes us excited, happy, sad, and relaxed. If you have some favorite songs, listen to them on your way to work. You can make a playlist that inspires you as you take care of things, or to help you sleep at night when you need some distraction. There’s a wide variety of ways music may boost your inspiration and productivity; tap into this potential.
Exercise
Studies have shown that regular exercise has a positive, profound impact on ADHD, anxiety, and depression. It can also boost your mood, help you sleep better, improve your memory, and relieve stress.
Like music, there are many different ways you can exercise and there is something for everyone. Not everybody enjoys exercise that presents a challenge or something that’s intense, such as CrossFit. The gym is a great source of comfort, excitement, and happiness for many people—but not all. If heading to the gym every single day isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of other ways to get exercise, such as taking your dog for a walk or finding workout videos on YouTube. Invest in some yoga classes, or try swimming at your local pool.
You can even combine several sources of inspiration as you listen to music while you go for a walk, or read a book while you’re on the biking machine at the gym. Hit up your local trails for a long hike that reminds you how lucky you are and encourages you to keep going.
As days quickly turn into weeks, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our daily routines and simply go to work and come home. If you need a little boost, try reading, listening to music, visiting a local waterfall, or going for a walk to find inspiration that enhances your mood and helps you feel happy and content.
And if you are looking for the inspiration to start your own business, be sure to check out this previous post which gives you the essential tips before you get started.
Written by Laura Myers