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Children experience the joy and wonder of new experiences almost daily. However, for many adults these emotions get lost in the day to day grind of everyday life and routine. And yet, as it turns out, doing something new can be one of the best things you can do for your health and mental wellbeing.
Good for your overall wellbeing
According to a blog on One Peloton, there is a scientific reason changing up a routine can feel so scary. It turns out that the human brain is wired to survive, and oftentimes survival is a matter of sticking with what one knows.
“Our brains are not designed for health and happiness; they are designed first and foremost for survival. Finding patterns, conserving energy, locking into behaviors that put us on auto-pilot — these are all ways that the survival mechanism of the brain does its thing. That’s why all change — even good change — can register in the brain as threatening,” Britt Frank, LSCSW, and the author of The Science of Stuck, told One Peloton.
And yet, there are numerous benefits to trying new things and having new experiences. Trying new things helps people think more creatively and enhances cognitive flexibility. It also helps people destress in that a new experience can help break harmful or negative routines. It increases confidence, and more importantly, increases neuro-plasticity.
Likewise, new experiences help maintain emotional resilience. And, according to Psychology Today, doing something new also promotes flexible thinking; that is to say, the ability to consider new and different perspectives which is a key factor in mental health.
Practical tips
It is obvious that trying new things is good for your brain. However, it is also good for your body. One Peloton suggests playing, or taking joy in moving your body in different and new ways, is vital for balance and brain plasticity not only in terms of cognition, but also in terms of physical ability.
Still, it can be daunting to break routine and try something totally different. Luckily, there are some practical tips for how to make a change that lasts. Start small by breaking a goal into smaller steps. Be very specific about the goal. Instead of aiming to work on arm strength, make a goal of doing twenty arm curls a day. Be realistic and make sure the goal is feasible in terms of lifestyle, finances, and free time.
It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life. Doing something new can be the best thing a person can do for themselves both in terms of their mind, body, and soul.
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