Discover the Hidden Power of Self Motivation

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.

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."

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.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

---

10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination: The Challenge for Tomorrow!

Did you realize that as much as 47% of the time we spend on-line has nothing whatsoever to do with our work? In 1978 15% of the... Read More

Victorious Living

How are things going for you? Are you sitting on top of the world or at the bottom of a pile of problems? Were you born with... Read More

Mid-Year Success Check: Are You Halfway There?

In a couple weeks, we'll be heading into the second half of 2005. How are you doing on those New Year's resolutions?What were they?Think back for a... Read More

Tony Robbins - 10 Lessons I Learned From Anthony Robbins

Tony Robbins has been an inspiration for millions. Love him and his philosophy or not, it is undeniable that he has had a positive impact on millions... Read More

Do You Know Which Door To Open?

Do you remember that old television program that gave the contestant the opportunity to choose one of three doors and receive whatever was behind the door?I was... Read More

That One Thing That Guarantees Your Unlimited Motivation And Success

What can you do when you do not feel like getting started? When procrastination takes over...We all know what that feels like. You sit there staring at... Read More

Achieving Your Dreams

While most people spend most of their lives struggling to earn a living, a much smaller number seem to have everything going their way. Instead of just... Read More

Becoming Rich in Your Own Way

If you really want to become rich, then begin by evaluating your work habits and work environment. That's how most millionaires made their first million. According to... Read More

Starting Over

I worked hard for the past 17 years. I felt I had to. I only finished high school. Without a certificate to flaunt and yet wanting to... Read More

The Seven Keys to Motivation

Motivation. It's a complicated subject that is studied by many and understood by few. Virtually every aspect of human life -- from the mundane to the life-changing... Read More

Are You a Right-Fighter?

Are You a "Right-Fighter"?Do you find yourself struggling to "win" arguments? Do people ask you why you always have to be right? Does conflict you engage in... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow will be the same as today.But the fact is it changes constantly, imperceptibly without even our realizing... Read More

Motivation: 5 Powerful Emotions You Can Use

Experiencing strong emotions is not uncommon. What is uncommon is applying these emotions to motivate you to change and grow.Having said that, here are five emotional states... Read More

Have A Crack!

For everyone the New Year is now in full swing. There is also a percentage of us that are wondering where the last few months went. This... Read More

What If I Fall Flat On My Face?

I hope you do. Sounds awful, I know. But I really think the best thing that can happen to you is for you to take a timid... Read More

How to Make it Big In Spite of Your Challenges

Imagine for a moment it's five years from now and you are still making the same income (or just a little more), living in the same home... Read More

The Default Setting

In the coaching relationships I have with our clients, the major problem I see is that individuals end up in the same place - over and over... Read More

Self-Limiting Beliefs: The Inner Enemies of Progress

What are they?Self-limiting beliefs are those things you believe about yourself that place limitations on your abilities. They may be conscious or unconscious. They may be founded... Read More

Employee Motivation - The 8 Basics

Building a team of motivated people in your business is vital to get the very best results, but so many managers focus on the 'ra-ra-ra', rather than... Read More

Dont Be Afraid To Build The Dream

Don't be afraid to build the dream - Attempting to live our life by our own design is certainly no small feat. Often it means doing without... Read More

Perseverance As A Virtue

"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure." - Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881) - British Statesman, Prime MinisterLet's face... Read More

The Conversation of Recovery - Part One

Transformational Counseling is all about assisting another human being to live a life that they love and to live it powerfully. Transformational Counseling is about creating a... Read More

The Simple Life

When we talk about a Simple Life, we are not talking about Paris and Nicole. We are talking about a life that is in harmony with our... Read More

How to Stay Motivated Until You Get What You Want

And somehow you knew how to stay motivated...Goals are mysterious things - they spring into our minds motivating us to succeed, fuel fires of fantasy about success... Read More

Motivation: 3 Powerful Quotes from Golfer Tiger Woods

I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional game of putt-putt. I'm not even a fan of the game. But I am a fan of... Read More

Whats Your Aging in American IQ? Take the Quiz and Find Out.

TRUE or FALSE1. Older adults have more mental health problems than younger adults.FALSE. Overall prevalence of mental disorder in older adults is less than in any other... Read More