| Many studies have been done to research the | | | | |
| effects of motivation and mental health. As | | | | How we respond to life's demands can affect |
| the implications of helping those with | | | | our overall health. How are you classified? |
| negative self-esteem, depression and anxiety | | | | |
| are immense this is certainly an area of | | | | The same report on Psychology Online |
| research that deserves a great deal of | | | | identified those who respond to life with |
| attention. | | | | negativity or anxiety as most likely to deal |
| | | | with the physical affects of anger, guilt, |
| Psychology Online reports on a study | | | | nervousness, frustration and fear. These |
| investigating the differences between | | | | emotions can cause hypertension and high |
| INTERNAL and EXTERNAL MOTIVATION. The report | | | | blood pressure which can lead to heart attack |
| states that "Although our society is largely | | | | or stroke. Other complications include |
| extrinsically-motivated by external rewards | | | | ulcers, arthritis, asthma and kidney disease. |
| such as money, fame and power, research has | | | | |
| indicated those who are | | | | Some therapists suggest that by using |
| intrinsically-motivated by inner desires for | | | | positive self-talk and trying to restructure |
| creativity, fulfillment and inner | | | | the WAY we look at events can offset the |
| satisfaction are psychologically healthier | | | | physical and mental effects of dealing with |
| and happier." | | | | negative or stressful events in life. |
| | | | |
| How can this help you? | | | | Interestingly, people who tend to focus on |
| | | | themselves as the controller of their fate - |
| The study of health psychology seeks to | | | | in fact 'self-motivated' - are more likely to |
| understand how our ability to cope with | | | | feel a sense of control when stressors affect |
| stress can help us to prevent illness and | | | | them. Instead of blaming something or someone |
| promote health. Some of these coping | | | | else they have the motivation to deal with a |
| mechanisms are naturally inborn but may be | | | | problem and look for a reasonable solution. |
| taught to those who lack them. Motivation is | | | | This positive behavior helps them to achieve |
| one of the tools that researchers are trying | | | | goals and find personal contentment. |
| to use as a combatant of negative stress | | | | |
| reactions. | | | | Therapists try to teach patients how to |
| | | | emulate this positive reaction to stress and |
| Motivation is something that we use every | | | | use their motivation as a source of |
| day. It's what enables us to survive - to get | | | | empowerment. Learning to manage stress and |
| food because we're hungry, to go to work to | | | | using motivation to set goals, work through a |
| pay the bills or to educate ourselves in | | | | problem or fix it can in turn promote better |
| order to pursue a higher goal in life. | | | | mental and physical health. |