Why Add Adventure to Your Life – Three Benefits of Adventure

Three_Benefits_of_Adventure_by_Heidi_Siefkas

Ready for an Unconventional Lifestyle Tip that Can Change Your Life?

We all know there are proven benefits to taking vitamins, going to the gym, and eating right. However, I bet I'm the first to suggest adding ADVENTURE to your life.

If you are looking to take your life to the next level or wanting to be better prepared for life's obstacles, this post is for YOU! If you are currently happy with your life and not keen on rocking the boat, this post is also for YOU! If you prefer to watch this post, click here for my TEDx Talk.

Now, before I unveil the benefits of adventure, I must make sure that we are all on the same page.

What is Adventure?

I want to debunk the myth that you must be an adrenaline junkie and willing to jump out of a plane to embrace adventure.

I define adventure in this broader sense:

Ad-ven-ture /adˈven(t)SHər/: any new activity that is all consuming, perhaps fearful, that puts you in the zone. It can be physical, mental, emotional, and/or a combination of all three

The examples of adventure are endless: learning a new sport, going on a blind date, challenging yourself with a hike/run/exercise class, writing your first blog, traveling to a new place, or even seeing a familiar place in a different way.

Why Add Adventure to Your Life?

By attempting something that is new and a little scary (a.k.a ADVENTURE),  you will reap these three proven benefits. (If you prefer a TEDx talk, watch this or read below.)

Three Benefits to Adventure

1) Clarity and Focus

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The clarity and focus felt during and after adventures, both big and small, are similar to yoga, walking labyrinths, gardening, and other more traditional forms of meditation. That’s why I believe and have written in many published works as well as books that, “Adventure is my meditation.

2) Energized

Alive_Image

By adding adventure, you are eliciting your Fight or Flight response. That energy is adrenaline meant to keep you alive, focused, on task, and letting everything else go, including bodily and cognitive functions that aren’t necessary, including multitasking, to-do lists, worrying, and other nonsense.

3) Better Prepared

Plan_B_Sign

By frequently adding new activities that challenge you to overcome nerves or fears, you become better at handling life’s curveballs. You can be better and faster at focusing and shifting your mindset when you get unexpected and unfortunate news. Through adding adventure, you embrace these Plan B's more easily. Let's face it! There is no good time to get fired or receive an unfavorable diagnosis at the doctor’s office, but these life events will happen and not when it’s convenient.

There are NO Excuses!

You can add adventure to your life close to home, for little to no cost, and in a matter of minutes. Try spending a night in a tent in your backyard or going to work on the bus, train, or walking instead of driving. Maybe you go to a new networking event or plan frequent trips to new states or countries. Little changes over time make big results.

What's_Your_Next_Adventure_by_Heidi_Siefkas

What’s your next adventure?

Please comment below with your next adventure and of course feedback on this post.

As always, here’s to looking up!

17 Responses

  1. Great post - I do a lot of improv and that also teaches you to face your fears, and just do it. Adventure travel is the same thing - I'm actually a bit of a coward and especially since having kids I've steered away from adventure travel and gone for safer, family friendly hols. But the lure of travel is calling me again....
    • Heidi Siefkas
      That's a great adventure example. Improv certainly puts you in the zone. You gotta react/think quickly.
  2. Agreed! Especially on the energized part. A lot of times I see my coworkers burnt out from their jobs yet they never take a vacation! I always feel so refreshed and engerized after traveling. I am by far more productive as well.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      That's why I say Adventure is my meditation.
  3. This is such a great thing to remember! This summer I went whitewater rafting for the first time and I was SO nervous I almost felt like throwing up. But when we actually pushed into the water that feeling went away and for the next hour all I could think about was how much fun I was having -- oh, and about how not to fall out of the boat, of course. It's good to remember that adventure, no matter how small it is, is good for the soul.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Adventure is good for the mind, body, and soul. INDEED!
  4. Adventures are the best way to travel. My adventures in Valencia and the road trip to Norway are so far the most memorable moments of my life!
    • Heidi Siefkas
      When someone comes to me for advice, I say head for adventure.
  5. I totally agree! Sometimes ya gotta step outside of your comfort zone to grow and experience more in life. My favorite memories are some of those experiences!
    • Heidi Siefkas
      We are all evolving. Adventure helps us be in the moment whether trying a new sport, learning a new language, or touring your hometown but in a different type of transport. You look at your world differently after an adventure, perhaps tweaking your course. What's your next adventure?
      • Lately our adventures have been more of the local sort, playing tourist in our own town. Definitely gives us a new outlook on things!
  6. The Intrepid Fox
    What's my next adventure? Ski to the South Pole. Wish me luck. xx
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Kudos to you! You are a true adventurer. I look forward to your story upon your return. Buena suerte (Good luck)!
  7. I think that should be a resolution for New Year - to seek more adventure. I would love to travel more to places that would never have been on my list a decade ago - somewhere to take me out of my comfort zone.
    • Heidi Siefkas
      Excellent. I'll hold you to it. What's your next adventure Alison?
  8. Couldn't agree more! There is no better way to find new motivation and focus than having an adventure! Or even combining an adventure with mediation for that next level recoup and focus! :)
    • Heidi Siefkas
      What's your next adventure Stu?

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