Hello!
Did you see my post last week about our SNOWY bike ride to school?
Once I was home with a hot cup of tea and dry clothes, I spent some time reflecting on why discomfort is so good for you.
Research backs up the importance of being uncomfortable (I've included a few resources below).
I try to model this mindset to my daughter by practicing it myself.
As we flew downhill, our faces pelted with sleet and our fingers freezing, we found joy in the discomfort and laughed at how alive we felt!
As I dropped her off at school, before hugging, kissing, and telling her how much I love her, we reflected on how great it felt to have pushed our bodies, and celebrated how strong we are.
When we stretch ourselves, mentally or physically – and create space for rest, recovery and reflection – the discomfort is often a gateway to greater strength, wisdom and success.
Think of the last time you pushed your body to exercise, or the last time you stuck with a challenging mental exercise: how did you feel afterwards?
Confident! Capable! Powerful!
It’s important to recognize and question discomfort because it’s often just a ceiling we need to smash, not something to back away from.
Mindfully moving through discomfort is also a great way to build resilience.
Resilience (noun): the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Recovering from difficulties is a skill we can practice!
Below, I’m sharing 5 ways to build resilience through discomfort.
But first, a quick reminder there’s still time to register for my next WOMEN'S COACHING CIRCLE!
The CIRCLE is a 12-week journey for women leaders to be celebrated, supported and witnessed as you reestablish boundaries so that you can have more joy, more happiness, more ease; and rediscover wellness through simple tools to help you sleep better, get fit, and feel nourished.
Now, 5 ways to build resilience through discomfort:
1. Be cold (and hot): cold plunge, sauna/steam, get outdoors in wind, rain and snow, use your AC/heating at home a little less, exercise until you sweat.
2. Challenge your body: run fast, lift heavy, jump/skip/hop, walk far, swim far, do more gardening/yardwork/housework, bike to work/school, learn a new dance.
3. Challenge your mind: have hard conversations, challenge your beliefs, sit with your thoughts, feel your feelings.
4. Feel hunger: try circadian fasting, i.e. not eating between dinner and breakfast, for a total of 12-16 hours (most nights I eat dinner at 5:30pm and then fast until breakfast at 7:30am).
5. Do something hard thing first: do at least one impactful thing to move toward your goals BEFORE you check social media, respond to emails, etc.
There are so many more ways to get out of your comfort zone! What's a practice that you have?
Here's to acknowledging and transcending the discomfort of personal growth as we expand our strength, wisdom and success!
Check out these resources if you want to learn more about the power of discomfort:
The Secret to Happiness? Thinking About Death. "In an excerpt from his new book ‘The Comfort Crisis,’ journalist Michael Easter travels to Bhutan to learn about how confronting death head-on can lead to a more fulfilled life" | Outside Magazine
Why Discomfort Can Be So Good for You. "There's a good reason so many people embrace cobblestones and free weights." | Psychology Today
Why You Should Stay In Your Discomfort Zone. "You stand to gain a great deal from going past your current comfort level." | Forbes
Get Comfortable with Feeling Uncomfortable. "Discomfort is expected when taking on new challenges. Our research suggests that seeing discomfort as a sign of progress and actually seeking it out can boost your motivation in these situations" | Behavioral Scientist