One of the best things you can do in life is break up your routine and do something different. By doing so your life will improve as will your mental health. I remember seeing the movie “Yes Man” with Jim Carrey where the main character’s life was stuck in a rut, without purpose. He then challenged himself to say “Yes” to all new opportunities that came his way. This led him to try many new adventures, which ended up transforming his life. By doing something different YOU also have an opportunity to challenge yourself, and improve your life. When you break your routine and try new experiences, you stimulate your brain, encourage personal growth, and help unlock your hidden potential.
The Brain Benefits of Breaking Your Routine
Your brain thrives on change. When you try something new your brain triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good. Regular tasks don’t usually stimulate your brain in the same way. In addition, trying new things helps your brain form new neural connections, which makes you more adaptable, creative, and a better problem solver. Doing something new also trains your brain to adapt to change. For example, it’s like a muscle, the more you change your routine or experiences, the more your brain accepts change [1].
Do Something Different to Boost Productivity
Doing the same thing every day can lead to burnout, which will decrease your productivity. However, by changing things up, you are able to stimulate your brain in new ways which helps you overcome mental blocks and think clearly. As an example, try a new hobby or take a trip to a new place. By doing this you stimulate your mind, become more focused and accomplish more when you return to your normal routine. Studies show that taking breaks and changing environments can increase creativity and efficiency [2] [3].
Mental Health Gains from New Experiences
Maintaining mental health involves more than just avoiding stress, it also includes accepting opportunities that make your life more enriching. Breaking up your routine to try something new can improve your mood, build your confidence level and reduce anxiety.
Sometimes people work themselves up about going somewhere new or trying something they haven’t before. The trick is to choose not to prejudge but rather imagine yourself as merely an unbiased witness – until, of course, you begin enjoying yourself!
Small changes can also make a difference, like driving a different route to work or reading a book different than what you usually read. This can have a large impact on your mental well-being. The best thing about change is that you begin to see yourself as more adventurous. This makes future changes much easier.
Strengthening Social Connections
Trying something different can lead to an improved social life. By challenging yourself with new experiences this often involves bringing new people into your life, which expands your social network. Whether you choose to take your first cruise or try a new sport, or even attend a workshop, you create opportunities to meet and connect with new people. Building strong social connections are a key to improved mental health as they provide support and a sense of belonging.
Do Something Different Today – Explore Your Options
There are an infinite number of things you can do differently or to add variety to your life. Hopefully the following examples will give you some ideas:
- Realign your morning habits
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Try the new restaurant up the street
- If you walk or jog, take up cycling
- Join the gym
- Take up Martial Arts (no, you’re not too old)
- Learn a new language
- Join a drone club
- Mix up your evening meals and try a new cuisine
- Get a dog and walk it daily
- Become a trivia buff
- Take a cruise for the first time
- Go hiking outside of your area
- Try doing cold plunges daily
- Sign up for a history course
- Learn how your car works
- Join Toastmasters to improve your speaking skills
- Take up Geocaching and explore the world
- Visit another continent
- Try creative writing daily
- Learn about a topic thoroughly and teach a course
Embrace Growth and Do Something Different
The best thing about doing something different is it breaks up life’s monotony, which encourages personal and mental growth and balance. As the saying goes, “variety is the spice of life”, which illustrates how life is too short to stay stuck in the same routines and habits. So, by taking the step out of your comfort zone, you learn, experience and think differently. In essence, you grow as a human being. So, take a class, visit a new city or country, take up a new hobby, or simply take a new route home from work. Your body and mind will appreciate the change.
Take up the challenge. Do something different today, and watch as your mental wellness and productivity soar.
Check out Best Hobbies For Men To Regain Their Edge.
