Motivation can be both psychological and biological. Psychologically our motives can be external (extrinsic) or internal (intrinsic) factors. Are we driven by a goal we want for our selves, or do outside factors influence our motives? I am intrinsically and extrinsically motivated to graduate college. Intrinsically, I want to graduate to feel a sense of accomplishment intellectually. Extrinsically, I want to graduate because I want to attain a financially secure and enjoyable occupation. A teacher I once had gave me a poster saying, “Who you are begins with what you do.” This quote is a strong belief of mine and I will stop at nothing to achieve my goals, so I will be able to feel a major sense of purpose in life. Biological motives are innate in human beings because these aspects help a person function. Biologically people are motivated to eat and to sleep to maintain energy levels in the body. I really enjoyed this course because I did not realize before how complex the topic of motivation is.
Although this topic was not covered in class, one of my favorite topics comes from chapter 13. With the winter approaching, I found it appropriate to discuss seasonal variation. Our mood varies with the seasons of the year and some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are similar to other depression disorders, but the symptoms begin in the winter and people may experience an increased appetite for carbohydrates. I do not have Seasonal Affective Disorder, but do feel more emotional during the winter time. After Christmas time, I am broke and during the winter time there are not as many activities to do. I like to see, learn new things, and be outside. When I am unable to do so I feel depressed. During the winter months I also tend to want to eat more because the cold air gives me an appetite and because of the lack of activities available outside.
I am completly in the same boat as you!! I live in a resort town so everything is shut down in the winter, the only thing you can do is drink really because bars are the only activity open. When its the middle of winter and like you said you are broke going out is not even a possiblity anymore so really you are jsut stuck in the house eating out of bordom. Even though winter does suck at times I try to stay positive about it and when I catch myself bored eating, stop and do something else that will keep me away from it.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand where you are coming from with the seasonal affective disorders. I actually get headaches when the sky is gray. I know that one way psychologists try to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder is by indoor tanning, however, due to the increase in skin cancer it could cause, I am sure it is not recommended to do on a weekly basis. Another way they treat it is with a sort of heat lamp to have in their home, possibly on a night stand. I could see that being healthier option.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you decided to post on this topic. I think it is a lot more relevant than people give it credit for. I am definitely affected by seasonal change, and I feel like a lot of the north east might be the same way. We go from one extreme to the next. We have beautiful, warm summers where everyone is going out, having fun, and are just generally happy. In the winter no one really wants to go out. This is the way it is for me at least. The winter makes me seriously unhappy, and it makes me not want to leave my house because I hate the cold.
ReplyDeleteI know someone with this disorder and I see how it really affects their everyday life and how hard it can be to cope with it. She becomes very depressed in the winter and it is hard for her to understand why she gets like this. She is in therapy for it finally and actually does the tanning bed once a week and she has said that it does actually make her feel better.
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