Finding Comfort in Being Uncomfortable
Let me say first that I’m perfectly comfortable being comfortable. I love air conditioning, long warm showers, comfort foods, artificial light, computers, and a bed with more pillows than “I Dream of Jeanie” had in her bottle. I understand, however, the mechanism for which we adapt and the intentional effort it takes for those of us living in our modern, comfortable world, to make ourselves more resilient to prepare for life’s more challenging times. A few years ago, I heard the term, “resilience training.” It really struck a chord with me. It refers to the practice needed to maintain our strength because we have shaped our lives to be so comfortable in every way imaginable.
The #1 driver of inventions has been convenience to make our lives easier and more convenient, so we can accomplish more and do less. Let’s face it, this concept has made us weak, vulnerable and downright sick at times. As a result, we need to be very intentional in creating the kind of stress in our lives that builds resiliency of mind, body and spirit. Yes, we need to CREATE stress to make ourselves stronger. Acute, short-term stress in doses that we can tolerate and overcome, builds our strength, considering that we allow for proper recovery. It is the long-term, chronic stress and the inability to overcome it that literally wears us down and wears us out.
What do I mean by acute, short term stress? Examples include, exercise, ingesting antioxidants and brief exposure to cold or hot temperatures such as cold-water plunges or saunas, just to name a few. The magic is in the dose. Challenge yourself with a dose that feels uncomfortable but bearable and as a result you will build a more resilient you.
Below are some examples of ways that you can challenge your comfort zone and become stronger in multiple dimensions.
EXERCISE: A cascade of health benefits occur through various forms of exercise modalities including a stronger musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system, improved hormone balance, insulin sensitivity, sleep quality and mood.
COLD WATER PLUNGES AND SAUNAS – without a doubt, these are two things you can do today that will change how you feel to your core. Overcome your fear of the cold. Take the plunge or take a cold shower, even if it is for 5 seconds. You will survive and be stronger because of it. With saunas, know your limits. Near infrared saunas are best if you are suffering from a chronic health condition but the ambient heat of a typical sauna is all you need. If you don’t have access to a sauna, maybe you live in a warm client like I do (I am in the deep South. Not only is it warm, it is humid!) so get hot and sweat! The benefits of heat and cold therapy reach FAR beyond improving your strength and resiliency. Take some time and research both and find ways to work them into your health practice whenever possible.
ANTIOXIDANTS: I think of them as the Pac Man of nutrition as they gobble up oxidized, unhealthy cells. You find them in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and legumes. When we eat them, we consume a necessary, low-level toxin that in turn makes us stronger and immunizes us from oxidative damage. Have you ever put lemon juice on a peeled apple to keep it from turning brown? Lemon juice has vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Have you ever watched an apple turn brown? That’s oxidative damage. Now apply that concept to what happens to the cells in your body. We need antioxidants, but not too much! Even antioxidants can be over consumed.
SPEND TIME ON THE FLOOR: “Sitting is the new Smoking.” I’m sure you have heard that phrase. In my opinion, it’s not sitting that is so unhealthy; it’s the time spent sitting and staying in one position that wreaks havoc on your body. You’ll see very shortly why spending time on the hard floor is so good for your body because you won’t stay in one position for long without fidgeting and the positions you find yourself in will improve your overall mobility and your strength, especially in your core and lower body.
You will find that it’s the perspective you take when you encounter an uncomfortable situation that you can turn into a positive experience. The discomfort in and of itself is an opportunity to promote strength IN SOME WAY for you to use the next time you are confronted with the same experience. “I don’t HAVE to do it, I GET to do it,” is a mantra you can tell yourself in this situation, and suddenly you feel empowered rather than burdened. You ARE getting stronger.
As you refer to the bullet points that I noted in this article as just a few ways to improve your strength, keep in mind that there are many cultures all over the world today that practice these methods as part of their daily life. They have no choice. We are blessed to have the choice of including the very best of both worlds into our lives. Take the plunge and get comfortable being a little uncomfortable, but if you’re in the deep South in the middle of the summer and you’re heading to a formal event, buy all means, blast the air conditioning and save your hair and make-up!