Why should you do something scary? Because as you age, it gets easier to sit things out and then you miss out on fun!
Novel activities enhance performance of your aging brain which will keep you young.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.1998.10605603
So, how can you SAFELY do something scary? Here are a few tips:
- Get support – don’t go it alone
- Take baby steps to start – get some experience first, take a lesson, do something a little less scary before taking on a bigger challenge
- Have an escape option should the activity be too uncomfortable
I’m NOT an accomplished mountain bike cyclist but somehow managed 18km on steep, rocky cliffs & trails, with no tears.
Here’s how I applied the above tips:
- I did the adventure with Alan, an experienced mountain biker
- We’ve done lots of easy rides together prior to this ride
- I knew I could turn back or walk my bike on really hairy parts of the trail
Afterward, I did my daily plank & very cold plunge – neither of which I really wanted to do.
But I felt accomplished afterward.
Which is really the point…
Who remembers the same old, same old?
Memories are made from (what feels like near-death) new experiences and doing things that are a little uncomfortable.
When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Need a bit of a push? Feeling strong and confident is a good start and I can help with that – let’s talk.