from the publishers of: Verywell, Real Simple, EatingWell, Shape, Parents, Health and Allrecipes
Pumped is how you feel when you get outside your comfort zone. You can credit that recharged feeling to an endorphin rush that happens when you push yourself. “Doing something that challenges you gives you a whole different outlook and makes you more receptive to change,” says psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., the author of Better Than Perfect. In fact, research shows that people who regularly seek out fresh experiences tend to be more creative and emotionally resilient than those who don’t.
With a few exceptions, though, the opportunities to expand your boundaries don’t just land in your lap; you have to seek them out. It can be hard to think of activities to try, so here’s a list to get you started. See what makes you feel excited, curious, or even a little nervous—then go ahead and take the leap.
Whether the project takes a few months or a year to complete, tackling recipe after recipe will strengthen your skills in the kitchen, broaden your palate, inspire you to try things you thought you didn’t like, and hopefully introduce you to a whole slew of dishes you absolutely love.
When you travel solo, you’re forced to decide exactly what your heart is telling you to do, without having to compromise with anyone else. That can instill a sense of boldness that endures even after you’ve returned home.
On a hike, you enjoy nature. When you climb a mountain, you conquer it. Once you’re at the summit, bask in the accomplishment—and the happy knowledge that you just burned upward of 700 calories an hour.
Go for a completely new shade or try a few streaks of color. The thrilling jolt you’ll feel whenever you catch sight of yourself in the mirror will put an extra bounce in your step for weeks.
Toss aside any thought about what it “should” look like and do what makes you feel great when you walk into that space. That might mean pulling a comfy armchair into the dining room, painting the kitchen ceiling bright blue, or covering an accent wall in your bedroom with mementos like race ribbons and maps.
Surfers describe the sensation of riding a wave as addictively euphoric, exhilarating, and surreal. To tap into the thrill, go to surfline.com and find a surf school near you or travel somewhere warm and beachy, like Costa Rica or Hawaii. Master the basics on land first with a Surfset Fitness class (surfsetfitness.com).
Training for a specific goal gives your sweat sessions a purpose that goes beyond burning calories. You’ll stop thinking of yourself as an amateur runner (or biker, swimmer, or CrossFitter) and start thinking of yourself as an athlete, which will motivate you to pursue other milestones, like a mud run or a triathlon, long after you reach the finish line. Find an event that fits your schedule at active.com.
Opening your eyes to the amazing world that exists underwater will blow your mind and help you learn to live in the moment. When you’re down below, you’re completely focused on the sea life in front of you. Everything else melts away. Find a class at padi.com. If you love it, get certified.
No email or Internet—at all. Without the distractions, you’ll be compelled to turn outward and really connect with others and what’s going on around you. Come Monday, your stress levels will be lower, according to recent research.
Spending time with new pals strengthens your heart, research in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found. It feels good too.
Go somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, like a botanical garden or a museum that’s just far enough away for you to keep putting off the trip. Use the Field Trip app (free, itunes.com) to find cool new spots.
Think boxing or muay Thai. The pure physicality of the punching, jabbing, and kicking offers a rare opportunity to get out your aggression. After the hour is up, you’ll feel powerful, confident—and more than ready to take on your next challenge.
It will help you think on your feet, work well with others, and communicate better—skills so valuable that the MIT Sloan School of Management offers an improv leadership class to its MBA students. Meetup.com is a good place to find a group.