Sloth, begone! Here are 11 little ways to motivate yourself when you’re feeling lazy

No matter how much we’ve slayed in the past few weeks, we all run into a wall of laziness every now and then. Whether it arises out of tiredness or pure boredom, we find ourselves devoid of motivation, which is perfectly normal (but not ideal) when we’ve got a million things to do. When you’re feeling lazy, chances are the first thing you want to do is plop down in front of the TV and catch up on all your favorite shows while you wait for your pizza to arrive. Not exactly the most productive way to spend an afternoon.

First and foremost, just admit it to yourself when you’re in a lazy mood. Allow yourself to feel lethargic for a minute, because if you fight it you’ll only make things much worse. Your laziness might be a sign that you need to take a time-out before you power through the rest of your day. After you’ve taken a minute to regroup, there are a few little tricks you can use to get your mojo back. Because even the most fierce women need a pick-me-up every now and again.

1. Do a few easy tasks and check them off your to-do list.

There’s an indescribable feeling of joy that comes with checking off a few things on your to-do list. You get a little bit of rush from it. When you’ve got a million things on your plate, it helps to get the easy stuff out of the way first so you feel accomplished. Empty the dishwasher, make your bed, wipe down the kitchen counter, and neatly put away your shoes. Then check each chore off your list. You’ll feel more motivated to tackle the bigger stuff.

2. Cozy up to some peppermint.

The scent of peppermint stimulates the part of your brain that’s responsible for arousal — the trigeminal nerve. You’ll feel an instant boost of energy when you get close to that minty smell. Burn a mint candle or put a little peppermint essential oil on your wrist and take a deep breath. Make yourself some mint tea, too, while you’re at it.

3. Recite a few mantras to yourself in the mirror.

It may sound cheesy if you’ve never tried it before, but saying encouraging things to yourself in the mirror is a wellness practice that gives you the boost of confidence you need to get shit done. If you don’t believe us, believe Iskra Lawrence. In her TED talk “Ending the Pursuit of Perfection,” she talks about self-love practices that have helped her and other women feel empowered. One of them is the very simple: Look at yourself in the mirror and recite your greatest strengths out loud. You’ll forget that you even have flaws and you’ll be inspired to keep moving.

4. Bribe yourself with a little treat.

There’s nothing wrong with promising yourself a treat if you accomplish a few things. It might be the very thing that gets you out of bed and on the go. If you’ve got a craving for something sweet, promise yourself a brownie or a cupcake if you get a certain amount of things done. Or reward yourself with a few episodes of How To Get Away With Murder if that’s what you’re into.

5. Relocate yourself to a new environment.

When you’re feeling creatively stuck, it can be helpful to change the location of where you’re working. Try taking yourself out of the office and to a new cafe, the library, or even a park. Situating your body in a new place will give you a different perspective, which could result in a bolt of vitality.

6. Blast your favorite playlist.

Music affects us strongly in many different capacities. It gets us through heartbreak, provides us with an upswing of happiness, and it even motivates us when we’re feeling low. Put on your favorite upbeat tunes and see if it doesn’t inspire you to get busy again. A little dancing won’t hurt either.

7. Find something that will make you laugh.

It’s not called the best medicine for no reason. Laughter sends more oxygen to your tissues, stimulates the brain, and raises your blood pressure temporarily. By emitting a few giggles, you’ll get a spring back in your step. Suddenly your to-do list doesn’t seem so monumental.

8. Read some inspirational quotes.

It’s the oldest trick in the book. Reading a few inspirational quotes on Instagram or Facebook will light a friendly fire under you, and you’ll feel a bit more stimulated. If you can’t find anything online that will do the trick, pick up your favorite book of poetry. Sometimes the simplest words can have the greatest influence.

9. Talk a brisk walk outside.

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Feeling unmotivated can often be cured by moving your body and getting your heart rate up. Studies have even shown that a quick walk in nature can improve your short-term memory and reduce the number of negative thoughts in your head. So leave the indoors behind and get out in nature, even if it’s for a few minutes.

10. Do a short breathing exercise.

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Meditation is shown to reduce the levels of cortisol in your body, which easies anxiety and stress, and calm the chatter in your mind. It also leaves you feeling more energized than before, so if you need an instantaneous catalyst to get you out of your laziness, sit down for a brief breathing exercise, like the Breath of Fire.

11. Surround yourself with bright colors,

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Saturated warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are considered the most energizing and they have a stimulating effect on your brain. If you have a bright red coat you love, wear it for some extra motivation, or take yourself somewhere you’ll be surrounded by vibrant colors. It might shift your mindset and revitalize your whole outlook.

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