All articles tagged with #motivation
GLP-1 weight‑loss medications are surging in use, with users commonly reporting fatigue and nausea, but clinicians are noting a striking side effect: extreme apathy or a “flat” emotional state that isn’t classic depression. Experts say it may involve dopamine and motivation pathways, making the net impact nuanced and highly dependent on individual circumstances as more people start these therapies.
UNC coach Hubert Davis showed his team a viral NFL clip of Drake Maye and Josh McDaniels, using the moment to stress that “it’s hard” to win, practice, and perform. The message aims to sustain UNC’s momentum after back-to-back road wins, ahead of an upcoming road game at Georgia Tech.
A Hungarian study of 890 adults finds that why people use pornography—positive reasons like pleasure, exploration, or intimacy versus negative ones like stress relief or emotional escape—predicts sexual and emotional functioning better than how often they use it. Frequent use with positive motivations linked to adaptive regulation and less sexual withdrawal, while problematic use (not just frequency) correlates with poorer outcomes. The researchers note limitations such as self-report data and overlapping motivations, and advise evaluating distress or loss of control over use rather than frequency alone.
Denver coach Sean Payton said his year away from coaching gave him perspective on the NFL’s high-stakes moments and told his players that retirement can be overrated; his core message—‘not today’—is to pursue purpose and seize the moment on game day, a theme he’s using to motivate the Broncos as they push through the season.
New study in monkeys identifies a ventral striatum–ventral pallidum circuit that suppresses action when a task promises discomfort, and shows that temporarily disrupting this pathway with a drug restores motivation, offering insight into procrastination and implications for mental health while underscoring the circuit's protective role against burnout.
Scientists have identified a neural pathway in the brain that acts as a 'motivation brake,' making it difficult to start unpleasant tasks. By suppressing this circuit in macaque monkeys, researchers significantly increased their willingness to initiate tasks despite potential punishment, offering insights into motivation deficits in psychiatric conditions like depression.
Researchers are exploring how vibrating tendons can reduce the perceived effort of exercise by altering brain signals, potentially making physical activity feel easier and encouraging more people to stay active, although the research is still in early stages and limited to short cycling sessions.
To overcome a fitness rut, the article suggests six strategies: strengthening your athletic identity, focusing on process goals rather than outcomes, habit stacking to integrate workouts into daily routines, creating dedicated high-performance environments, practicing mindful exercise, and maintaining flexibility in your training schedule. These approaches can help rekindle motivation and make exercise a more enjoyable and sustainable part of life.
A personal trainer emphasizes that returning to exercise in your 40s and 50s should be approached differently than in youth, focusing on enjoyable activities, gradual progress, and realistic expectations to rebuild strength and confidence after inactivity.
The article shares essential gear and tips for walking 10,000 steps daily, emphasizing comfort, motivation, and injury prevention, including recommended shoes, smartwatches, clothing, hydration, and indoor options for cold weather, all supported by expert insights.
Research suggests that mental fatigue is largely psychological and can be mitigated by setting specific, challenging goals, which enhance motivation and reduce feelings of mental drain during prolonged cognitive tasks.
The article offers advice on how to set and maintain effective New Year's resolutions by avoiding vague language like 'always' or 'never,' being realistic, planning for setbacks, stacking habits into existing routines, and focusing on positive goals to increase the likelihood of success.
Research suggests that applying vibration to tendons can alter sensory signals sent to the brain, making exercise feel easier and allowing individuals to exert more effort without perceiving increased difficulty, potentially encouraging more physical activity.
Gretchen Rubin suggests choosing a theme word for the year instead of traditional resolutions, to inspire and guide personal growth, with examples like 'neighbor' for connection and 'bounce' for resilience, emphasizing actionable goals for specific achievements.
Gloria Gaynor's iconic song 'I Will Survive' became a personal and motivational anthem during her recovery from a serious injury, and it has since become a cultural symbol with over 200 covers worldwide. Gaynor, originally from Newark, New Jersey, rose to fame in the disco era and continues to inspire, recently receiving the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime achievements.