Do The Hard Things

I think you need to do hard things in life. Things you've never done that push you beyond your comfort zone. You feel as though you’ve accomplished something, tried your hardest, put in the effort needed, and built your self confidence in knowing you can handle more than you think you can.

Pushing yourself beyond your physical comfort level can be rewarding and transformative. It can help you grow as a person and as a professional.  According to a report  by the American Psychological Association, working out boosts brain health. www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress  (Of course, if you have existing health issues it’s always wise to check with your doctor before starting a physical fitness routine.)

So what does it mean exactly to push yourself? Well, to me it means when you feel like quitting, don’t. 

Our brain is constantly monitoring our physical state and sending signals to regulate our behavior. These signals can “tell” us we’re tired or exhausted, even when we still have some energy reserves. This is a mechanism to prevent us from overexerting ourselves. 

However, there are ways to trick our brain into thinking that we are not as physically spent as we feel and push ourselves a little harder. One way is to use positive self-talk, such as "I can do this", or "I am almost there". Another way is to distract ourselves from the discomfort, such as listening to music (I prefer podcasts), focusing on the scenery, or counting your steps. A third way is to set small and achievable goals, such as reaching the next landmark, completing the next lap, or finishing the next minute. When I first started running a couple years ago, I remember it was all I could do to make it around the block without having to stop and rest. But each day I would try to go one street further than the day before. Soon I was up to 1 mile, then 2, then 3! Now I run at least 4 miles each morning (unless I'm playing #pickleball ) and still feel like I have plenty left in the tank. These strategies can help us overcome the mental barriers that limit our physical performance and motivate us to go a little harder.

So, why would you want to push yourself beyond your physical comfort level? Here are some benefits of doing so:

• You can increase your resilience and adaptability. When you challenge yourself physically, whether it's doing 5 more pull-ups or a cold plunge,  you learn how to cope with stress, discomfort and uncertainty. You also develop a growth mindset that helps you overcome obstacles and embrace new opportunities.
• You can boost your creativity and innovation. Pushing yourself physically stimulates your brain and activates different neural pathways. You also expose yourself to new experiences, perspectives and ideas that can spark your imagination and problem-solving skills.
• You can enhance your health and happiness. Extreme physical exertion releases endorphins (the happy chemicals!) and other hormones that improve your mood, energy and immunity. You also improve your fitness, strength and endurance, which can also have long-term health benefits.

So don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself physically. You might be surprised by what you can achieve.

#fitness #staystrong #nopainnogain #ageisanumber