What do you do when you just don't want to?

You know those days where you're just tired and overwhelmed and all you feel like doing is sleeping and/or vegging out?

Well, I have a lot of those days lately since my Academy has TONS of homework and I'm takin' a survey!

What do you do when you're having one of those days? Do you just give in, or do you do something to get over it?

I go for a walk, then have some quality 'me' time. Usually involving a nice hot brew, snack and book.

Otherwise I'll go to my bfs and let him cook and watch tv.

Some times you do need a mental sick day. But also you can't run away from responsibilities if not you get even more overwhelmed. Maybe you've been pushing yourself too hard and time to prioritize so the right things get done instead of trying to do everything that you think you should.

Those are the days that test your maturity. For me I just quickly throw things in mental buckets of must do and others. Then I'll hop on the must do's One at a time and finish it off. The energy of finishing one will spur you on for another one. If you feel overwhelmed and take breaks, all you do is to delay and consume the time you have. You'll feel even more overwhelmed when you get back. Focusing on one task takes your mind off the others a little bit so you can get things done.

Remember the only breaks you can take in those days are physical breaks  to ensure that your body will function.

I've been telling the people that I mentor that multitasking is way overated. One thing at a time is often better. Try to take a step with both feet!

I usually try to do all the stuff that I absolutely HAVE to do, then put the rest off for later. If I'm at home, I procrastinate by going to sleep. I always need more sleep. If I'm at work and I don't want to do anything, I get on CC! :)

Turn my brain off and act like a robot.

Well as cajunrider says it does test your maturity. It all depends on what your normal reactions are to stress & responsibilities. For some people, they just try to do too much, run themselves down. Those types need to learn to slow down or other problems arise. Others, just need a swift kick up the bum. I do have to say that we need more than just physical breaks though, the mind is a muscle as well.

I've been feeling "lazy" a lot of mornings and it's been a lot harder to get up and workout in the morning like usual.  I'd say lately I've been working out on average 3-4 mornings instead of my normal 5 each week.  And my exercise time has been getting shorter and shorter.  I allowed myself to get lazier because it was too hard to fight it. But then of course I also got lax on my diet most days of the week, and regrettably I'm seeing the downside - I've gained a few lbs. on.  So now I'm trying to reprioritize and because it IS important to me to look good and feel good about myself, I've a renewed motivation and I'm going to work harder.

Basically I think it's okay to take a day off here and there...you just have to be careful it doesn't become one day a week, then 2 days....and before you know it you're not exercising at all.

I make a mental list of my todo, starting with the most important (ie absolutly has to be done asap) and ending with those that can wait.

Then I'll start at the top and fake it till I make it.

I also give myself a certain amount of down time (poor me time), if things are tough, then get busy.

It also helps to do a little self examnination and see if there are things you can eliminate, or cut back on classes or other changes you can make if you are feeling overwhelmed. Also don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

sometimes i just get the rest i need.. and pick it back up tomorrow

It depends, yesterday I had a very long and stressful day at work and the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym.  So I went to the supermarket and bought some meats and veggies and then went home and cooked enough food for three dinners and three lunches.  Now for the rest of the week I don't have to worry about cooking so I will be more inclined to go to the gym since I know dinner is waiting on me when I do get home.

If you're tired you should get more sleep - this will help you focus better. Eat healthily - good food will give you energy whereas junk food (laden with bad fats and empty calories) will slow you down.

If you're feeling overwhelmed write down everything you need to do. Putting it on paper relieves your mind of trying to remember everything. Categorize your tasks based on level of importance i.e. urgent, important, not-so-important and optional.  Then...dig in!  It's the only way - it ain't gonna do itself, right?

Good luck.

I walk around the neighborhood till I feel more focussed.

I make a to do list. Sometimes just the task of thinking what you need to do for the day is motivation enough. If it's a study-related funk, I read something light and engaging until I feel strong enough to tackle the denser reading. I then promise myself I'll take a good lunch break and relax properly in the evening. Good luck!

Original Post by ounesivixay:

It depends, yesterday I had a very long and stressful day at work and the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym.  So I went to the supermarket and bought some meats and veggies and then went home and cooked enough food for three dinners and three lunches.  Now for the rest of the week I don't have to worry about cooking so I will be more inclined to go to the gym since I know dinner is waiting on me when I do get home.

I have to do that myself some times. What you eat is key & planning what you eat is definitely key. Again its all about prioritization as there are times I do not have the energy to go to the gym AND cook enough of the right foods. Its all about setting yourself up.

That's my problem, I take a day off and it ends up being weeks.

It really depends. I've been having a lot of blah days lately since I'm always swamped with homework and sleep deprived. I'll usually just plow through everything I have to do anyway, and sometimes I'll take a short nap if I can afford to. Yesterday was definitely an example, except I was sick too, so instead of going to my soccer game I stayed home and caught up on sleep (my mom made me, she didn't want me out in the cold). Many times during school I'll be completely burnt out and think 'I'm gonna leave practice early to go home & take a nap,' but then once I actually get to practice and start running around I feel 10 times better and want to stay. So usually I just take care of all the necessary things & try to plan better. I make up for my lost sleep on the weekends.