In this paper we consider the problem of constructing equations describing the states of dissipative dynamical systems (media with absorption or damping). The approaches of Lagrange and Hamilton are discussed. A non-symplectic extension of the Poisson brackets is formulated. The application of the Hamiltonian formalism here makes it possible to obtain explicit equations for the dynamics of a nonlinear elastic system with damping and a one-dimensional continuous medium with internal friction.