Doing things we dread

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Wanting vs. Doing: Overcoming Psychological Inertia

When we feel depressed or apathetic, it’s common to struggle with doing things that we know would be good for us. This can be a major obstacle in psychotherapy, especially in therapies that use behavioral techniques. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of psychological inertia and offer some strategies for overcoming it.

Psychological Inertia

In physics, inertia refers to the tendency of an object to stay in motion or remain still unless acted upon by an external force. Similarly, psychological inertia is the tendency to stay stuck in a particular emotional or behavioral state, such as depression, without making any changes.

When we’re feeling down, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and struggle to do things that we know would be good for us. This can be due to a lack of motivation, energy, or interest. It’s as if we’re stuck in a state of inertia, unable to make any progress or change.

The Missing Link Between Knowing and Doing

So, why do we struggle to do things that we know would be good for us? One possible explanation is that we’re missing a crucial element: motivation. When we’re depressed, we often lose interest in activities that we previously enjoyed. This can make it difficult to muster the motivation to do things that we know would be good for us.

A Cognitive Approach

One way to overcome psychological inertia is to appeal to reason or logic. This involves acknowledging that our feelings and emotions are not necessarily a reflection of reality. For example, just because we don’t feel like doing something doesn’t mean that it’s not worth doing. By using our cognitive abilities to evaluate the situation and make a decision, we can overcome our emotional resistance and take action.

We Underestimate the Reward We Will Feel

Research has shown that people tend to underestimate the amount of satisfaction they will feel after doing something that is good for them. This means that we often expect to feel worse than we actually do after taking action. By recognizing this bias and using it to our advantage, we can overcome our resistance to taking action and make positive changes in our lives.

Summary

In conclusion, overcoming psychological inertia requires a combination of cognitive and emotional strategies. By appealing to reason and logic, acknowledging our emotional biases, and recognizing the potential rewards of taking action, we can overcome our resistance to doing things that are good for us. With the help of psychotherapy, we can learn to overcome psychological inertia and make positive changes in our lives.

FAQs

Q: What is psychological inertia?
A: Psychological inertia is the tendency to stay stuck in a particular emotional or behavioral state, such as depression, without making any changes.

Q: Why do I struggle to do things that I know would be good for me?
A: You may struggle to do things that you know would be good for you because you’re missing a crucial element: motivation. Depression can make it difficult to muster the motivation to take action.

Q: How can I overcome psychological inertia?
A: You can overcome psychological inertia by appealing to reason or logic, acknowledging your emotional biases, and recognizing the potential rewards of taking action.

Q: What role can psychotherapy play in overcoming psychological inertia?
A: Psychotherapy can play a significant role in overcoming psychological inertia by helping you develop coping strategies, identify and challenge negative thought patterns, and build motivation and confidence.