|
How to Manage Stress and Using Motivation to Set Goals
Psychology
Online reports on a study investigating the differences
between INTERNAL and EXTERNAL MOTIVATION. The report
states that "Although our society is largely extrinsically-motivated
by external rewards such as money, fame and power, research
has indicated those who are intrinsically-motivated
by inner desires for creativity, fulfillment and inner
satisfaction are psychologically healthier and happier."
Many studies have been done to research the effects
of motivation and mental health. As the implications
of helping those with negative self-esteem, depression
and anxiety are immense this is certainly an area of
research that deserves a great deal of attention.
How can this help you?
The
study of health psychology seeks to understand how our
ability to cope with stress can help us to prevent illness
and promote health. Some of these coping mechanisms
are naturally inborn but may be taught to those who
lack them. Motivation is one of the tools that researchers
are trying to use as a combatant of negative stress
reactions.
Motivation
is something that we use every day. It's what enables
us to survive - to get food because we're hungry, to
go to work to pay the bills or to educate ourselves
in order to pursue a higher goal in life.
How
we respond to life's demands can affect our overall
health. How are you classified?
The
same report on Psychology Online identified those who
respond to life with negativity or anxiety as most likely
to deal with the physical affects of anger, guilt, nervousness,
frustration and fear. These emotions can cause hypertension
and high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack
or stroke. Other complications include ulcers, arthritis,
asthma and kidney disease.
Some
therapists suggest that by using positive self-talk
and trying to restructure the WAY we look at events
can offset the physical and mental effects of dealing
with negative or stressful events in life.
Interestingly,
people who tend to focus on themselves as the controller
of their fate - in fact 'self-motivated' - are more
likely to feel a sense of control when stressors affect
them. Instead of blaming something or someone else they
have the motivation to deal with a problem and look
for a reasonable solution. This positive behavior helps
them to achieve goals and find personal contentment.
Therapists
try to teach patients how to emulate this positive reaction
to stress and use their motivation as a source of empowerment.
Learning to manage stress and using motivation to set
goals, work through a problem or fix it can in turn
promote better mental and physical health.
1howto.com
--------------------------------------------------
Please
Share Your Tips with Us
|
