Paying attention to comfort zones is a significant contributing factor to a life well lived.

Perhaps the first step is to identify and define what each of us perceives to be our own, uniquely individual, comfort zone. (Previously I have quipped that my comfort zone is so small that most of what I do on a daily basis is outside it. If this sounds like a person of anxiety, well, so be it.) Then we might ask “why?” – why step out and why not stay safely within?

Here’s the bottom line: living one’s life within the cozy confines of routine with few opportunities to challenge, might sound nice, but soon reduces one’s ability to respond to stimuli – either positive or negative. It is by tasting the unknown, problem-solving potentially awkward or anxiety-producing situations, and moving forward to completion that we build confidence based on history and, in fact, benefit mental health.

Moving outside a comfort zone means many things to many people. Expanding the boundaries and pushing our limits should be done thoughtfully. Not everyone is ready to jump from sofa-safety to skydiving. What is important is to acknowledge when we are enlarging the zone and how we are preparing to do so, experiencing the moment, and processing what has happened when we return “home” perhaps with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.

Yo-Yo Ma needs no introduction, but to glance at his biography, we can only imagine how far he has lived his life and performed his work outside of any real or perceived comfort zone. He IS his music and his art, but his life practice includes family, community and humanity.

“Each day I move toward that which I do not understand. The result is a continuous accidental learning which constantly shapes my life.” Yo-Yo Ma.

Stepping out of one’s comfort zone may be physical, mental or emotional but has been shown to stimulate brain cell growth and activity as well as the brain’s chemical response to discomfort and challenge. Varying routine – even as mundanely as taking a different route – nurtures seeds of growth. Learning new skills or simply opening thought to differing opinions, pausing the auto-reject response, may be uncomfortable at first, but becomes a generous piece of our modus operandi.

The world is full of change and if we want to live relatively harmoniously in this world, we need to explore that which is constantly changing. This is a topic lodged in infinity so I will pass by.  Perhaps these recent months of Covid response have prompted many of us to spend quality time learning new things, listening to podcasts and TED Talks and indulging in online courses. Here I share tips of what I have learned. I encourage you to take a few minutes to look back, identify, and review your own experiences; then sit with your new knowledge and skills.

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.”  Elizabeth Gilbert

*I have had the privilege of stepping physically into challenging situations whether on my Peloton bike or on an adventure with my chocolate Lab, but find that when I identify the degree of hesitation and concern in advance, I am better able to literally put one foot in front of the other. The key here is to STOP and think before moving outside a zone – the huge advantage of perspective.

*Trust personal history. Navigating what is uncomfortable, or even scary, builds a personal history on which to rely for future anxious times.

*Recognize that an appropriate amount and intensity of exercise (whether for health or performance) – as with comfort zones – needs to be adapted to current individual life circumstances. In the world of athletics, periodization including times of intense training must be balanced with rest, recovery and a multitude of supportive practices. As we seek general health, exercise and activity are imperative to manage stress, cortisol and inflammation, but additionally to provide us with pleasure and a sense of wellbeing. It is, therefore, counterproductive to adhere to rigid training programs at all times, as “life happens” and adjustments are often more beneficial that checking the box.

*The more I learn about nutrition, the more respectful I am of this constantly evolving science. I believe it behooves us all to constantly seek new information and put it into practice as best we can whether it is relative to food, breath, new forms of functional training in the gym or on the Yoga mat, or even gardening or DIY projects. (I must laugh at this last as I am a novice gardener and a DIY dummy who panics at the slightest problem. Thank goodness for Google searches!)

I love the concept of “continuous accidental learning” which indeed shapes life and adds to personal history.

And here I return to Yo-Yo Ma. “Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks.” Yo-Yo Ma        

My children, students and clients all know that I am a strong believer in passion. We MUST live our lives with passion if we are to squeeze from them every drop of goodness, whether challenge or achievement, fatigue or energy, fear or strength, valley or mountain. Furthermore, if we submit our limiting lines of comfort to the pursuit of that which excites our passions, we will step outside often and well.