Getting off the couch & getting something done!

I often find myself sitting on the couch after a long day, scrolling through my phone guiltily while thinking about all the items on my to-do list that I am effectively ignoring. I want to get up and get something constructive done but I just can’t seem to muster the energy. What to do?

Well firstly, don’t beat yourself up about it. The worst thing to do in this situation is to go over and over your shortcomings – it will just make you more motived to stay on the couch and look at how amazing everyone is on Instagram. The tough part of feeling this kind of paralysis is that it can be such a vicious cycle. I feel so constricted having so much to do and not knowing where to start so that I end up wasting time. And by wasting time I feel incredibly guilty since I could've been doing something. And in feeling so down I don't feel motivated to do anything... and that whole horrible cycle starts all over again!

So! What do I do to snap out of this loop and start conquering the world again?

I usually start the following three simple steps –

1. Put down the phone/tablet/device
2. Sit up straight, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths
3. Pick one small task to do that involves me moving my body in some way (for example, giving the floor a quick vacuum or putting away that basket of clean clothes that has been sitting there for several days)

Once you get started with a task and get yourself moving it is so much easy to get on with the other tasks that are frustrating your mind. Plus the key here is to 'get moving'. Picking something that will get your body up off the couch and the blood flowing is absolutely essential. From there, all you need is a to do list!

Remember we can all only do so much with our time and energy. Recharging your batteries is very important but sitting on the couch staring mindlessly at your phone isn't recharging you or being productive. We live such time-poor lives so it's best to make sure we are getting things done or truly engaging in something which meaningfully relaxes us. Or you could take a nap?

Until next time,

Emma