Live Longer Habits

Want to Be Happier and More Resilient? Embrace Discomfort!

 Today’s world makes life pretty comfortable. Think about it: you have rooms that are just the right temperature, food delivered to your door, and endless scrolling on your phone to unwind after a long day. These little comforts help us through daily life, but they might also be stopping us from being as strong, brave, and happy as we could be. 

In the book 'Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There', neuroscientist Tali Sharot and Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein discuss a curious human habit called hedonic adaptation. This is our tendency to get used to things over time. They introduce two important ideas: habituation and dishabituation. 

Habituation is what causes us to ignore familiar experiences, while dishabituation brings us back to noticing what really matters. The main message of their book is about the advantages of dishabituation. It can help you rediscover joy in your work, life, and relationships by seeing things from a fresh perspective. But let's explore both sides of this idea. 

Pros and Cons

First, let’s talk about the downside of habituation. It’s easy for people to become numb to their surroundings, even to bad situations, if they happen often enough. For example, if you’re used to a negative environment, you might stop noticing the warning signs that something is wrong. The same can happen with positive experiences. Over time, you might take for granted the little things that used to make you smile, like a delicious meal. If we’re not careful, life can start to feel less colourful and meaningful. 

On the positive side, habituation helps us adapt quickly. It allows us to get rid of distractions and lower stress. Without it, we would feel overwhelmed all the time, making it hard to focus on what really counts. 

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort

To break free from the comfort zone, you need to embrace discomfort to help you grow and feel happier. When you become accustomed to something, especially if it's challenging, your reaction to it eases over time. Think about it like this: if you face something uncomfortable often enough, it feels less bad, even if it remains difficult. 

There’s an interesting experiment discussed in 'Look Again'. Some people were exposed to a loud noise. Halfway through, they were given a chance to take a break. Most took the break, but those who stayed with the noise ended up feeling better. Their brains learned to accept it, saying, “Oh, it’s annoying, but I can handle it.

Why It Matters

Growth happens when we move through discomfort. Whether it’s for yourself or your team, avoiding tough situations can stop you from building resilience and learning new things. Growth needs challenges. 

Try this: 

1. Choose one tough thing you usually avoid, like a conversation or task. 

2. Commit to sticking with it longer than you usually would, without escaping. 

3. Pay attention to how you feel. 

At first, you might want to quit, but then you’ll settle down. That’s habituation working! 

Start small and build up from there. Before long, discomfort won’t frighten you; it will empower you. While society often pushes us toward constant comfort, those who succeed and find happiness generally learn to accept challenges. This mindset is your secret weapon for becoming a stronger, more capable person. 

Here’s how to use habituation to train your brain for resilience and happiness: 

1. Reframe Discomfort: 

The noise study shows that we can adapt to unpleasant things. Try to get used to temporary discomfort by facing your fears or starting new habits. Find positive experiences that stretch you just enough to prove to your brain that they’re not so terrible. 

2. Lean into Hard Conversations: 

Avoiding difficult discussions only makes them tougher. The more you practice having honest talks about feedback or issues, the easier they become. 

3. Face Your Fear of Public Speaking: 

My first speech in front of 60 people was terrifying, and I even had an anxiety attack! But with practice, it became a lot easier. You may still feel nervous, but you’ll teach your brain to stop panicking. 

4. Avoid Distractions for Deep Work: 

With so many distractions around us, focusing on important tasks can feel tough. Resist checking your phone for short periods, and your brain will learn that maintaining focus isn't overwhelming. 

The Bottom Line: 

Habituation is how you build resilience. Think of it as exposure therapy for your emotions. By fully engaging with challenging experiences, you can learn to make tough situations manageable, which will lead to greater happiness in the long run.

Sorce:inc, BY MARCEL SCHWANTES