Try something new!
Do you find it hard and uncomfortable to expose yourself to things you haven't tried before? If yes, it is not at all strange—our brains strive for survival, and then ingrained patterns are the easiest and safest way forward. But trying something new can also do us a lot of good.
There are studies that suggest that people who participate in and expose themselves to a variety of new experiences are more likely to maintain positive emotions and minimize negative ones. (1)
In other words, trying something new can be a way to take care of yourself.
Dopamine makes us feel good
There is an area in the brain that reacts to new stimuli. This part of the brain is connected to the hippocampus and the amygdala, both of which play a major role in learning and memory. Exposing yourself to something new can trigger dopamine, which makes us feel good and provides a sense of reward. (1)
Why then, can it feel so difficult to do something new?
Priority one: Survival
Our brain is not created for well-being and happiness in the first place, but for pure survival. Finding habits and patterns, saving energy and getting us to stick to behaviors that we can perform on auto-pilot is what the brain strives for. Therefore, any type of change—even a positive one—can be seen as a threat by the brain. (2)
There are also social explanations for why we like to stick to the established. Making a lifestyle change, however healthy it may be, can put established relationships at risk since there is a risk of not being understood and supported by those around you. (2)
In addition, we are often afraid of making a mistake or looking foolish, and if we just do things the way we usually do, the risk of this is significantly reduced. (2)
The brain needs exercise
The brain is like a muscle and needs to be trained just like the body. Trying something new is a great way to train your brain. When we are forced to adapt to something new, new neural pathways are created in the brain, which can strengthen us by counteracting the cognitive decline that can occur as we age. (2)
After reading this, are you excited to try something new? It doesn't have to be about traveling to an exotic place or taking a university course—also small things count. Why not try a new dish, take a different route to work than the usual one, or play a new board game?