Health
What Motivates You?
By ALICE O’BRIEN
Psychiatric Nurse
Exam season is fast approaching. Stress, pressure and anxiety usually come with it. This can be said not only for the student doing the exams, but also for the people around them who are trying to be supportive but may struggle to understand the thoughts and feeling involved when their own exams are a distant memory. Students who are often very accomplished, organised and driven can feel more pressure than other students who may appear less driven. Why is this? Why do some students feel more pressure, need to prove themselves more than others? Why do some strive for perfection when others can experience exams without feeling
like this? The answer lies in the kind of achiever you are; you can be motivated to achieve things in different ways and for different reasons. For example• Value achievers. People who fall into this group like to achieve things because they value the achievement itself. In other words, the achievement beings them great pleasure. They derive pleasure and confidence from the effort they put in and the work they do. • Need achievers. This group is just as motivated as the group who value the achievement but for different reasons. They get less pleasure from the achievement itself and seek validation, applause and praise from others. This can be problematic when you rely on
others to provide that validation. Another issue with needs achievers is that when the praise for their activity lessens they quickly stop doing it. Of course there is nothing wrong either of these approaches if it provides motivation. It is important however, to examine goals and values because seeking validation from others can often lead to disappointment. It can make you feel that your achievements are not good enough. When you value your own efforts and praise yourself, you can develop selfconfidence that will last you well after your exams are done. So, when the exams are over- and that time will come, even if you cannot see it now- remember, you have worked hard, you have tried your best and the rest is out of your hands.
Creating Exercise Habits By SIOBHAN O’SULLIVAN SOS Fitness I am often asked, “What is the best type of exercise to do?” My answer: the one you can do consistently. Boring I know, but that’s the truth! Doing something that you dislike is probably going to fail. For a habit to stick, it needs to be something you enjoy. To make an exercise habit stick, I believe there are three main principles to follow 1. Make it a ritual Like early morning exercise? Have your clothes laid out the night before. Prefer to exercise in the evening? Book a class for you when you are on your way home from work, you
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are less likely to make the excuse not to go when it is on your way home. Making it part of a ritual makes it more likely that you will stick to it. 2. Book it in the diary Schedule your exercise like you would a dentist appointment. Commit to a day and time and put it in your diary. Doing something with a friend not only makes you more accountable but exercise can also become something social for you. 3. Start small So small that you can’t fail. Start with 10 squats while the kettle boils. Go for a 5-minute walk. Build this habit for a week and then start
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adding on a little bit more. And remember, little by little, a little becomes a lot. You can book an exercise class with me on bookwhen.com/ sosfitness I currently run classes in Ballydesmond and Knocknagree
Issue 63 May 6th, 2022
