Motivation and inspiration have been hard to come by for many this past year. You might feel stuck in a rut or maybe you are lacking the desire to take on challenges that you used to enjoy. What are some ways you like to stay motivated? What inspires you? Sometimes a whole new journey can start with just one small step forward, even if that step is in your own home or backyard!

Here are some simple tips to help you find motivation and inspiration for a new beginning:

1. Find something you love to do and do it. Cultivating joy can help inspire you and motivate you. Plus, as Harvard Health points out, “scientific evidence suggests that positive emotions can help make life longer and healthier.”
2. Move your body! Running for just 15 minutes per day, or walking for 30-60 minutes per day, can help improve your mood and stave off depression. A positive mood is important to help keep you motivated and moving in the right direction.
3. Reboot. When we have a problem with our computers or our phones the go-to move is to reboot them, right? Well it’s not a bad idea to try this with ourselves. The next time you are lacking motivation, try a personal reboot. Maybe it’s trying out a new hairstyle, going on a new bike route, walking in a different neighborhood, rearranging your living room or creating a new playlist - the simplest of reboots can work!
4. Find support. Support is essential for any new beginning. What sort of support would benefit you most? Are you feeling overwhelmed by cooking? Maybe you could get your children involved in meal prep, sign up for a meal plan or ask your partner for help. Does starting a new workout routine sound scary? Reach out for support. A strong social support system is critical to the success of any new endeavor. Making a plan to talk to a friend, family member or spouse on a regular basis can help alleviate a lot of fear and stress.
5. Drink water. No seriously - most of us are dehydrated at some point during the day and even mild levels of dehydration can produce disruptions in mood and cognitive functioning. Dehydration can also affect physical performance, kidney health, gastrointestinal function, cause headaches and blood pressure. You’ll want to stay hydrated, so your body can take on exciting new challenges.
6. Try something new. When you try something new and step out of your comfort zone, your brain and body are challenged in a good way. You might fire some new synapses in your brain or work some new muscles that you haven’t used in awhile. What is something you’ve always wanted to try or learn? Cooking, knitting, oil painting, cycling, skiing, a new language? The newness can relieve stress and spark inspiration.
7. Make health a priority. When we lose motivation it can be easy to let our health slip. Here’s your reminder to schedule that annual physical and be sure to ask your doctor to order your blood work. If you are high risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes, did you know that UC Davis has a FREE Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)? Learn more about the DPP below and you can sign up for the program here!

Diabetes Prevention Program: Did you know that UC Davis offers a free Diabetes Prevention Program for all faculty and staff? Many people are unaware that they are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. When was the last time you had your blood sugar numbers checked? It is critical to have your blood work done every year, so you know where you stand. Risk factors include (but are not limited to) obesity, inactive lifestyle, family history, diagnosis of pre-diabetes or history of gestational diabetes. The program is open and offered at no cost to those who qualify. You can sign up here!

Recipes:

• Pan Seared Halibut with Citrus Salsa: Citrus is a bright and juicy accompaniment to this pan-seared halibut.
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Panzanella: This hearty winter salad is bursting with colors, flavors and textures.
• Slow Cooker Butter Bean Minestrone: This delightful soup is chock-full of veggies and legumes.