At 6 a.m., your alarm sounds. You drink a cup of coffee at 6:15. Then it’s off to work from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m., bedtime at 10 p.m. Rinse and repeat: You get up the next day and do it all over again!
Ever feel like it’s the same old thing, day in and day out? If you’re tired of the daily grind, it might just be time to take on a new challenge. After all, nothing spices up your life quite like the unknown—and you never feel quite as alive as you do when you’re facing an obstacle or embarking on an adventure!
These four strategies will help you take a break from the mundane and add some excitement to your life!
Get Out There
One of the best ways to overcome the blahs is to change your surroundings. Shake it up by traveling somewhere you’ve never been but have always wanted to go—the more out of the way, the better.
If you’re really ready to mix it up, travel to a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Adding that “now or never, once in a lifetime” vibe to the proceedings helps make it even more exhilarating. Whether you decide to hike Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, visit the Taj Mahal or catch some waves off the coast of Fiji, travel really shakes up your world—and adds a healthy dose of perspective, too.
But that doesn’t mean you have to fly to Antarctica; out of the way and exotic can be as simple as taking a weekend getaway to another state or even another city. Whatever your budget and schedule may allow, the point is to get out of your comfort zone, at least a bit. And whether you travel to Big Sur in California or Big Ben in the U.K., planning and staying safe are essential; prepare for your big trip by getting a clean bill of health from your doctor and protecting yourself with travel medical insurance valid in your destination of choice.
Get a Hobby
It’s so easy to come home from work, plop down in front of the TV, and then not move for several more hours. Not that exciting, right? Fill up your time with something a bit more fulfilling—and a lot more productive—by taking on a new hobby. Always wanted to play guitar or learn to scuba dive? Now’s the perfect time to take a class. Feeling out of shape? Start walking or doing yoga. Do some Sudoku or challenge yourself to read a new book each week.
Whichever activity you choose, you’ll reap physical as well as emotional benefits; recent studies show that people who challenge themselves to learn new things are less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s a win-win!
Face Your Fear
Everyone has those weird fears that linger on, regardless of how irrational they may be. Perhaps the thought of public speaking gives you the willies or being in high places makes you get butterflies in your stomach. Maybe you’re simply scared of making a big change in your life, even though you’re not particularly satisfied with where you are right now.
Afraid of heights? Go sky diving or bungee jumping. Afraid of giving a speech? Join a Toastmasters chapter. Afraid of something outside your control? Create a detailed plan of how you’ll deal with the situation if it arises. If you want to shake up your world, one of the best ways is through facing those old fears.
Pay it Back
When you need a change, it’s easy to try to buy your way out of doom and gloom with, say, a brand-new sports car. But you have to admit, it’s pretty cliché. Instead, why not give something back by volunteering? Tutor some struggling kids. Serve dinner at a soup kitchen. Fix the broken computer at the homeless shelter. Everyone has talents and abilities they can share with others. Not only does volunteering help make the world a better place, it makes the volunteer feel better, too.
Feeling restless and dissatisfied sends a clear signal. It’s time to spice it up! Whether you take the trip of a lifetime, learn a new skill or give your time and energy to help others, change can be a good thing.
