As we move through our busy lives, it is easy to get stuck in the routine of day-to-day life and the tried and true. While that can be useful because having established routines help our lives run more smoothly, it can lead to getting into a rut that leads to getting stuck in life.
Trying new things is important because:
1. Neurologically ~
It helps you build new neural pathways in your brain. As we age, this is especially important so instead of slowing down and establishing the retirement routine, use this time in your life to try new things, meet new people, and push yourself in a way that you may not have had the time or energy for when you were in your work and family raising years.
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2. Emotionally ~
The excitement we feel when we try new things is caused by increased Seratonin in the brain which is the “feel good” chemical. This causes us to feel happier. Obviously happier people enjoy life more and studies strongly suggest happier people live longer.
3. It helps us grow as a person ~
When we consistently do the same thing, we consistently get the same results. Often times we expect different results and experience frustration when we don’t get them (think… arguments with your spouse, habits around money or getting our kids to listen to us). When we try new things, we will get different results because it opens us up to new possibilities. There is energy around change that leads to possibility.
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4. It provides practice opportunities for learning to adapt ~
This is especially true if you struggle with anxiety and fear around changes. Since the only constant in life is change, we cannot avoid it. If you practice change by consistently trying new things by choice, it will build your adaptability for change when it is unexpected or unavoidable. In short, getting comfortable in your discomfort.
5. Teaches you resiliency ~
When we try new things, sometimes we will fail, sometimes we will succeed only after multiple attempts and most likely it will require some effort. All these things help us to build resiliency, the ability to recover from failure with a sense of confidence that you learned from it rather then feeling like a failure and being afraid to try again.
Now that you know the reasons why you should try new things, here is an easy exercise that will help even the biggest Scaredy-cat embrace some adventure.
• Compile a list of 10 things you would like to try….list them in order from the most doable, least anxiety producing first to the single most challenging one last.
• Start with doing two things on the list this week. Take note of the experiences…did you enjoy them? Were they fun or did it produce a little anxiety, but you discovered you lived to tell about it! Move through the list.
• As you move through your list of new things, add new entries as you cross the ones you experienced off the list.
• Realize this list is for big and small things and is unique to you and your sense of adventure. If for you, trying new restaurants or meeting new people is a paralyzing experience, you are being brave when you choose to attend a professional “meet and greet” after work. If adventure courses through your veins, skydiving may be # 2 on your list and taking your two week vacation may consist of getting in your car and just driving to see where the road takes you. Either way, get out there and Do It…try new things, expand your possibilities, and HAVE FUN!
Most people don’t need a therapist, they just need a change.™ For help managing stress, anxiety & worry, building connections, Increasing your self-esteem and getting happy…visit coachmonique.com, email monique@coachmonique.com or call 412-400-2085.
Monique can also be found blogging under the “IT FEELS GOOD” section at www.rawhogs.com. Services also available through www.mystudioraw.com.
