If you’re stuck at home or work not knowing how to get motivated, try some of these activities. They may just get you back on track.

1. Take a shower or bath.

The first thing I do any time I’m feeling stuck is take a hot shower or bath.

Water is so healing. Showers feel like they wash away all troubles from your skin just as the water falls. It instantly feels relieving. Baths are like a warm, water hug. All your stress leaves your body and the bath helps recover that trauma.

My favorite thing to do is add aromatherapy to showers and baths. I feel like it helps clear my head. Usually, I use eucalyptus and lavender.

2. Listen to a podcast.

I just discovered podcasts in 2020, but they’ve helped me get through the toughest times.

When you’re trying to get through a stuck moment, find a podcast you want to listen to. When you listen into a conversation about something that inspires you, you want to get up. A lot of the time I do chores or work, I’m listening to podcasts. It definitely helps motivate me.

Some of my favorite podcasts are from the Exactly Right Media, like My Favorite Murder, That’s Messed Up, and I Saw What You Did.

3. Tend to plants.

This one sounds SO silly, but tending to plants might be the most relaxing thing I do.

Any time I get to water my plants, dust them off, or propagate them, it makes me want to do more. It’s like the more I help them, I also want to help myself. Somehow, they’re self care reverse psychology. I want to do a post about the best starter plants for newbie plant parents, but I haven’t gotten there yet!

The connection to nature really helps get a person unstuck and back to themselves. You’ll have to try it out to discover that.

4. Meditate.

Meditation is one of the hardest things to practice, but it really clears your mind.

There’s a ton of meditation music on YouTube or any music app. If you want to try to mediate, put one of those songs on and try it out. I usually sit with my legs crossed, close my eyes, and take deep breaths. After a few minutes, I feel better and try to get unstuck with whatever I’m doing.

I don’t think anyone’s great at meditating their first time. So don’t be discouraged if you try and it doesn’t help.

5. Dance your heart out.

I feel like this one is self explanatory, but I’ll explain anyways.

Getting up and moving with your favorite songs, helps. Once you’re on your feet after a mini dance party, you’ll want to keep going. You just released a ton of endorphins which makes you feel happy. That’s the best way to get unstuck.

6. Call a friend.

One of the most underutilized resources we have are our friends.

When you reach out a friend or close family member, they can help with so many different things. If you’re out of ideas for a project, want advice, or have no idea why you’re feeling stuck, they’ll be able to help out. A person you trust can help organize your thoughts and motivate you to keep going.

Another great option is to reach out to your therapist. Some reasons why you’re feeling stuck goes deeper than surface level feelings.

7. Start a journal.

Not everyone is a writer, but there’s a variety of different journals to get unstuck.

For me, writing whatever is on my mind helps clear it up so I can tackle the things I need to do. If you want to write and don’t think you’re good at it, you don’t have to be. You’re just writing to help you, not impress other people.

There’s also art journals where you can doodle out what’s going on in your head too. Do whatever works best for you. This is to help you feel unstuck.

8. Do a chore.

Chores are boring and I put them off until they HAVE to be done. So how does this help?

It’s almost like when you check something off a to-do list. When you get a chore done, you feel a rush of endorphins. It also lets yourself know that you can get things done. This will help you realize you can do whatever or help motivate you to do more.

This one is the last option for me, but it does get me feeling better. As soon as I start folding laundry, I want to do anything else to stop. You can most definitely laugh at that.

9. Take a walk.

Again with the endorphins, I know.

But really. Getting up and moving releases so many good feeling hormones in your brain and body. It clears up your brain and gets your body moving. If you can walk outside, you’ll have the added benefit of the healing effects of nature.

Plus, if you can go for a long walk or a tough run, you’ll feel on top of the world.

10. Slow down and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Sometimes when you’re stuck, you’re meant to slow down.

When you take on too many things or just need a break, your body will let you know. Maybe this is your body and mind telling you to rest. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone needs a day or week to get back to yourself.

Once you give yourself that time, you’ll feel back to normal.

What do you do to feel unstuck?