It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Getting out of your routine takes a lot of work, while staying in your comfort zone minimizes risk and provides a state of security, which means lower anxiety levels and reduced stress.
However, leaving that comfort zone actually offers a number of benefits, which is why some believe that living just outside that circle of comfort is a very good thing – as long as you don’t go too far.
Stepping out of your comfort zone can:
Keep your mind sharp. One of the best ways to prevent cognitive decline is to break free from a mind-numbing routine and embark on new adventures.
Boost creativity. Seeking new experiences and learning new skills can help open doors, as well as inspire and educate us in a way few things can. It can help us to brainstorm and see problems from a different perspective.
Prepare you for life changes. Taking risks in a controlled fashion by challenging yourself to do things you normally wouldn’t do helps you to prepare for and better handle those inevitable life changes.
Help you grow. Stretching your comfort zone helps you grow as a person. Something you once were uncomfortable with, or even feared, can become a part of your skill set.
Provide greater confidence. Once you’ve surpassed your limits, you’ll feel more confident. You will have proven to yourself that you can do something you didn’t think you could, which helps you to accomplish even more in the future.
How can you step out of your comfort zone?
There are a practically endless number of ways, but here are just a few ideas:
Change things up a little every day. Drive or walk a different route to work, try a new restaurant or a new grocery store. Listen to new music. Even if you find you don’t like the change, it may give you a new perspective – just don’t let a negative experience deter you from trying more new things in the future.
Take baby steps. Making a big change can seem too overwhelming, causing you to procrastinate and give up on making it. If you’re afraid of public speaking, for example, you don’t need to plan to make a speech in front of a large crowd. Instead, start out slowly. Just talking in front of a small group of people can help you get closer to that ultimate goal.
Learn a new skill. Take that leap and do something you always wished you could do, such as learning to paint or playing the piano. It’s never too late to learn something new, and it’s a great way to grow and step out of that comfort zone.
Be spontaneous. If you’re the type of person who likes to plan things out in advance, change things up by being spontaneous. You really can wake up one Saturday morning and decide to take a weekend excursion to some place you’ve never been. If all doesn’t go just as planned, it’s all part of the adventure.
Bring a friend. Having someone there with you when trying something new can help make it a little bit easier to break out of your comfort zone, whether it’s taking a class, going to a party or traveling somewhere new.
Moving out of your comfort zone can open up an entirely new world – just get out and do it!
-The Alternative Daily
