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Tag: motivation

Need motivation? Let these disabled personalities inspire you!

January 27th, 2020 by Content Editor

Are you down in the dumps and in need of some serious motivation? You’re not alone. Even well-known celebs experience this. Here’s what worked for them – it may just inspire you too!

RJ. Mitte

This award-winning actor was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects movement and speech. As a teenager, he started taking acting classes to meet new people. In the process, he landed a major role as R.J. in the TV series Breaking Bad. He’s since become an advocate for actors living with disabilities. When you have a disability, people think you are weak. They think they can prey on you. I say, ‘You can never use excuses because they always run out.‘

Susan Boyle

Growing up, this 2009 Britain’s Got Talent contestant was bullied and called “Susie Simple” for being different. Susan Boyle was misdiagnosed with brain damage as a child, but later it was found that she had Asperger’s – a condition that affects social interaction and communication skills. She didn’t let it hold her back though. “I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn’t let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness – I want to turn my disability into ability.”

Philippa Johnson

“Don’t allow anyone to put a limit on your dreams”, said Phillippa Johnson, South African para-dressage rider. This para equestrian rider suffered two serious accidents, but that didn’t stop her from taking the reins-literally. Philippa Johnson was in a tragic car accident in 1988 that left her right arm and leg disabled. Once she finally started competing again, she suffered another accident and broke her back. Nevertheless, she strived to get back on the saddle and learnt to ride again, going on to train in Europe, despite her injuries. In 2008, she made history by winning South Africa’s first equestrian gold medal.

Lebohang Monyatsi

“I intend on making people see that we are capable of doing other things. We have other abilities beyond sports activities and office work. I wanted to embark on this from a young age but couldn’t because of lack of opportunities for people with disabilities in the entertainment industry”, said Lebohang Monyatsi in an interview.

After representing South African in the Miss Wheelchair World pageant in 2017 and having also taken part in the South African Wheelchair Basketball league, Lebohang has since become an advocate for disability inclusion and accessible opportunities for all. Having suffered from post-polio syndrome which left her wheelchair-bound, she educates local communities about disabilities and aims to instil a culture where everyone feels included. “I stopped struggling when I started seeing my flaws as something beautiful which makes me different from the rest of the World.”

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Nootropics can boost your brain power

October 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Do you often turn to coffee or an energy drink when you need a boost? Most of us do to get that quick wake-up fix. Now, you could also try “nootropics”; smart drugs which are natural substances, supplements, and other cognitive enhancers that can improve your memory, focus, creativity and help you feel motivated.

How do nootropics work?

For your brain to work effectively, it needs the right levels of neurotransmitters to be in the right place at the right time. Your brain is “needy”! Neurons are in a constant cycle of death (the complete and irreversible loss of brain function) and genesis (a process where new neurons are formed in the brain), and thus need a lot of energy to ensure they signal, receive and process information correctly.

Nootropics can also improve blood flow to the brain. As more nutrients and oxygen are supplied to the brain, the better neurons are able to function.

Beat brain fog  

The most commonly used “brain enhancer” is caffeine, which gives you that alert feeling. Caffeine does this by stimulating your central nervous system.

Other effective nootropics include:

  • L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves. Studies find that L-theanine is effective at reducing psychological and physiological stress responses; like anxiety and high blood pressure.
  • Creatine, an amino acid that your body uses to make protein, can improve short-term memory and reasoning skills.
  • Ginkgo biloba supplements have been shown to improve memory and mental processing in healthy older adults when taken daily for six weeks.
  • Fish oil supplements are rich sources of two types of Omega-3 fatty acids that promote brain health. If you don’t have the recommended amount of oily fish in your diet, consider a fish oil supplement
  • Resveratrol is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the skin of grapes, raspberries and blueberries. This little helper can protect your brain function and lower blood pressure. You can also find it in red wine, chocolate and peanuts.

Are nootropics safe?

Supplements aren’t meant to replace a healthy diet or a good night’s sleep. Supplements also aren’t going to magically boost your health if you’re not exercising and eating well, so you’ll need to combine them with nutritious food, regular exercise and good sleeping patterns to reap their full benefits.

When browsing the shelves for supplements, look for ones with high-quality ingredients, safety guarantees, well-designed formulas and clear labels. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.

And remember, your safety comes first. Experts advise staying away from nootropic supplements if you’re:

  • Pregnant, nursing, or considering getting pregnant.
  • Under the age of 18.
  • Dealing with a serious medical condition or about to have surgery.
  • Taking brain-related medication.

References:

Motivate yourself to study!

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Between juggling your assignments, social life and attending classes, it can be difficult to keep up the motivation to study. A key to keeping your motivation on track is to set realistic goals, and changing your mindset. Here are some key pointers:

Keep the end in sight

Before you get started, know what you’re working towards. Choose realistic goals which still challenge you. For example, if you’re bad at maths, you can’t expect to be a numbers whizz within two days. Instead, an accurate goal would be to work for a full week at improving at a specific section of maths. Post your goal somewhere you can see it every day to keep yourself motivated. You could hang a list of your goals above your bed, your desk or create reminders on your phone.

Visualise your success

A great way to encourage yourself to stop procrastinating is to think about how it’ll feel to achieve your goals. For example, picture yourself seeing distinctions in your next exam results. Imagine how happy it’ll make you feel to finally graduate. Your loved ones will be proud of you, you’ll have a chance at the career you want and you’ll finally be successful. You can also try this when you’re feeling demotivated.

Perfect your study space

A comfortable place to study is the best way to avoid procrastination. Having everything you need within reach gives you a head start on study sessions and a clutter-free environment means you won’t waste time picking up after yourself. A clean space also means fewer distractions, so tidy up and stock your desk drawers with enough pens, paper and snacks.

Set a schedule

To ensure that you don’t study in random bursts or procrastinate, set study times and stick to them. This means you’ll have enough time to study for your exams and complete assignments in-between. Best of all, you can include downtime in your schedule which will be seen as a treat. This way, you’re less likely to skip out on studying and will have a break to look forward to, which will keep you on the study straight and narrow.

Get going

The most difficult part of most things is getting started, and particularly when you don’t find something enjoyable. Set yourself a small goal at first, like hitting the books for 15-20 minutes without a break. You’ll see that it’s not as bad as you thought and you may find yourself committing to more time.

Play some tunes

Ever noticed how you’re more focused at the gym when you’re listening to music? The same can apply when you’re studying. Play music that pumps you up before you start studying, then switch to something more soothing to help you focus. Avoid songs with lyrics when you study and rather choose instrumental music.

Reward yourself

It’s difficult to work at something you don’t particularly enjoy or struggle with, so if you make progress, treat yourself! Do this when you’ve reached a milestone like getting a better grade, studying every day or finally understanding something you’ve struggled with. Treating yourself could be anything from having your favourite meal, a trip to the movies or playing video games.

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Want to get fit? Pump up the volume

February 23rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your legs feel like jelly and you can’t seem to hold on to the exercise bike for a minute longer. Suddenly your favourite song comes on and you’re motivated again. Nobody really enjoys sweating it out at the gym, but music could be that extra push you need to keep going.

Why does music make you want to move?

It’s a good distraction
Notice how time flies when you’re busy or distracted? Jamming to your favourite tunes while working out will distract you from aches or pains and make your workout seem shorter.

It keeps you going
The motor area of your brain which tells you to move will be stimulated. This will keep you moving at a steady pace during your workout.  Research by the American Council on Exercise also confirms that rock, hip hop and R&B music (especially if it has a pounding tempo) can really rock your cardio workout. “Higher tempo certainly seems to drive the intensity of exercise performance,” said Dr Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

It turns up your dial
Think of music as ear plugs to block out negative thoughts. Working out on can improve your mood, so when paired with mood-lifting music, it’s a winning combo to forget the day’s woes. Tune in and power through your workout!

It makes you want to boogie
Research shows that music excites your brain and prompts movement. This is beneficial because it will motivate you during a workout and improve your mood as your body releases endorphins.

It makes for a fun run
In time, you will associate gym with listening to your favourite tunes. This will go a long way in you enjoying working out and actually sustaining your efforts for the long term.

It raises your heart rate
If your playlist makes you want to dance; you’re on the right track. Up-tempo songs will boost your heart and breathing rate. Bonus: listening to music for just 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure, says a report by the American Society of Hypertension.

Top tips

  • Watch the volume as you could damage your ears in the long term.
  • Choose upbeat songs for the energetic parts of your workout to keep you motivated and songs with slower tempos for when you are cooling down.

References

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