“Doing hard things makes you better at doing hard things.”

While this may sound silly, there is some seriously interesting science backing this statement. One region of your brain, called the anterior mid-cingulate gyrus, plays a key role in cost/benefit decision making and computation which directly influences our tenacity. It has been shown that this region of our brains actually grows when we complete challenging tasks or goals we set for ourselves, and therefore improves our ability to achieve other challenging goals. This is definitive proof that people benefit from overcoming difficult obstacles in order to succeed, and therefore, should embrace these challenges as opportunities to literally grow both physically and mentally.

As a method to implement this recently acquired information for my own personal benefit, I have been partaking in daily cold immersion also known as cold plunging. My own routine entails sitting in 38-39 degree water for roughly five minutes every morning, as waking up early and getting out of my warm bed to get uncomfortable is something that personally takes immense will power. I do this simply because I know that even something as uncomfortable as ice cold water is beneficial to me and has many physical benefits on top of the mental fortitude it builds. By starting my day off doing something difficult, I feel like I am better equipped to face any other challenges that may come my way. I have experienced a new sense of accomplishment and mental clarity and know this has made my daily routine healthier.

While a cold plunge may not be either the most accessible option or easiest option for most individuals, I highly encourage any of my readers to seek out a daily challenge and get to growing your brains!

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