By Christina Callaway
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June 10, 2020
What comes to mind when you think about this question? Five years? 10 years? Most of us would call ourselves creatures of habit. We operate on automatic pilot for 95% of our daily routine. From the time we wake up in the morning until we go to bed, we probably give very little thought to the mundane tasks that we do, and it’s not until we are asked to do something outside of these tasks that we actually stop to think about our actions. So, why don’t we change our habits more often? Or the other question, why is it important to change our habits? Studies have shown when we break the monotony of our “time to make the donuts” routine, we stimulate the myelin (the protective membrane surrounding the nerve endings in our brain) in our brain which helps our memory. We become resistant to change because we enjoy being in control and we grow comfortable. The downfall to both of these states of being is we then limit our opportunities to success, growth, meeting others, and an overall decline in our health. 5 Benefits of Doing Something New: 1) Improve our brain function - 'mental sweat' helps our brain build new cells and strengthen connection between the cells. To challenge ourselves, we should identify at least one thing a month that we can do for the first time. When we learn something new we are exercising our brain, which can help improve cognitive functions such as concentration, attention to detail, memory recall and problem solving, and also reduce the chance of developing dementia. 2) Meet new people - taking up a new hobby or sport or going to a class to learn something new is a great way to meet new people. Not only will you learn something, but you’ll also spend time with other people who have a similar interest and potentially make new friends. 3) Become involved in our community - Depending on what you learn, you may develop a sense of feeling more connected to your community. Coming together with other locals for a common purpose will help give you a sense of community and belonging and may benefit the place you live in. 4) Feel good about your new skill - There is nothing more satisfying than a sense of achievement. Setting yourself a goal to learn something new, then achieving it, is super rewarding and gives you a sense of accomplishment. 5) Have fun - While learning something new may be challenging, it can also be heaps of fun. Most people won’t great at something they haven’t tried before when they first start, but it can be really enjoyable to be pushed out of your comfort zone when you try something new. (https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/l/learning-new-things-the-benefits/). Examples of Trying Something New Brush teeth with the opposite hand starting on the opposite side of your mouth Sit in a different chair when you come home from work. Take a different route home for work Listen to a podcast Doodle or try an adult size coloring book Volunteer for an organization Doing any one of these small tasks will strengthen neural connections in the brain and even grow new ones. It’s similar to how physical exercise improves our body’s function and grows new muscle. Challenge yourself for the next two weeks to do something new for first time. You just might surprise yourself. #blog #blogpost #blogger #mindsetcoach #conifidence