Why Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone is Great for Wellbeing

By Emma Attenborough-Sergeant Wellness Expert at GoVida - The Employee Wellbeing Platform

“Before anything great is really achieved, your comfort zone must be disturbed.”

Ray Lewis

With the start of a new year, now is the perfect time to challenge yourself and try something new. Scared? Don’t be; we’ve got you.

Breaking out of your comfort zone can be daunting, overwhelming, and more than a little anxiety-inducing – but there really is nothing like it for personal growth and development. After all, you weren’t made to simply be comfortable: you’re capable of so much more.

Being Brave, Breaking Out, and Becoming Your Best

“Coming out of your comfort zone is tough in the beginning, chaotic in the middle, and awesome in the end…because in the end, it shows you a whole new world.”

 Manoj Arora

Many of us get to talking about resolutions at this time of the year, but how many of us actually stick to them? And how often do those resolutions really stretch us?

It’s important to have boundaries, and we’d never encourage you to break those, but your comfort zone is a whole different kettle of fish – because while it keeps you feeling safe and secure, it can also hold you back (much like an overprotective parent that has your best interests at heart, but worries way too much).

Whether it’s our careers, relationships, hobbies or social lives, most of us know – deep down – if we’re giving it our all. Because when you’re not pushing yourself, you get that tell-tale niggle: the one that starts in your stomach, nudges your nervous system, and tries to tell your brain that you could be achieving more. We try to keep it quiet, but it never really goes away; until you do something about it, that is.

So what’s on your mind? What could you be doing that you’re not doing now? Remember that breaking out of your comfort zone will mean something completely different to every person. It might look like:

• Putting yourself forward for that promotion you know you deserve
• Turning your passion into a business
• Signing up to that training course you keep putting off
• Learning a new language
• Really focusing on self-improvement through mindfulness and meditation
• Discovering your spiritual side
• Taking a chance on a new relationship
• Committing to an exercise class in the new year
• Building up to a 5km jog around the park
• Building up to a marathon

We all have our own version of a comfort zone, and some are harder to break out of than others. But hard isn’t impossible.

How to Challenge Yourself

“Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.”

Morihei Ueshiba

First things first, think about what you really want to achieve in 2022 (and beyond). What makes you happy? What fills you with fire?

Another question that can really bring your goals into sharp focus is: “When you get to the end of next year, is there anything you’d be really disappointed not to have tried to achieve?” Whatever that ‘thing’ is, is where you ought to focus your attentions.

But note the use of ‘try’.

Breaking out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean never failing. If we try and fail, we learn something invaluable – and when we try again, we come back even stronger.

If you’re not sure where to start, start small. Write down your end goal, then work backwards – noting down each of the little steps that will help to get you to where you need to be. Approaching any challenge in this way can make things feel far more manageable, and less overwhelming.

Struggling to believe in yourself? Then ask friends and family to describe how they see you. You’ll be amazed at the belief other people have in you.

It’s Go-Time!

If you’re looking for a sign that it’s time to break out of your comfort zone, this is it. You are capable, you are worthwhile, and you really can do anything you put your mind to.

Now go and grab 2022 by the horns, and show the world what you’re made of.

If you’re struggling to find a challenge that motivates you, we’ve got your back. The GoVida platform is packed with opportunities for personal growth and development – from fitness challenges that will have you fighting fit, to mindfulness content that will inspire you to be your best.

Get in touch to discover more.