16 Ways to Scare Yourself Every Day

16 Ways to Scare Yourself Every Day

Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is necessary to make meaningful changes. This applies to all areas of life, especially those impacting your health and wellbeing. Change can be daunting, but it is often incredibly rewarding.

Imagine if you had never tried your current favorite food or never greeted your best friend. Fear should not prevent you from seizing opportunities to enhance your health, happiness, and overall life. Here are 16 ways to meaningfully challenge yourself for the wellbeing of your mind and body.

1. Be a Beginner

Many people avoid new activities like yoga, kayaking, or painting classes because they fear being beginners. The thought of joining a group that may be more advanced can be intimidating, but go ahead—even if you're afraid! You'll likely find that others are eager to help you succeed, and you won't be a beginner for long.

2. Get Serious About a Hobby, Even if it’s Wacky!

Contrary to what you might think, hobbies can enhance productivity. They also reduce stress and may improve our physical health, even if the hobby itself isn’t physical¹. Embrace a hobby that captures your interest and allows you to express yourself, whether it's creating sand paintings, carving soap, collecting stones, or competitive dog grooming. Let your most creative, eccentric self shine.

3. Rock Your Solo Time

Going to dinner, the movies, or a comedy show alone might initially feel daunting, but try it once, and you'll likely be hooked. You won't need to consider anyone else's preferences—you can simply enjoy your own company! So, the next time there's a movie you want to see and you don't have a date, treat yourself to a solo date night.

4. Don’t Ask for Permission

You deserve time for self-care. Without addressing your mental and physical wellness needs, you can't be your healthiest self. So, don't wait for someone else to allow you downtime; prioritize yourself, schedule regular personal time, and make it non-negotiable. Read Take Care of U: 6 Ways to Take Care of Yourself and 11 Best Self-Care Tips for Mind & Body for some great ideas.

5. Get That Health Concern Checked Out

Delaying a visit to check a mole, fix a tooth, or undergo a wellness exam is not advisable, yet many of us do. The possibility of discovering a health issue can be frightening, and let's face it, visits to the dentist aren't enjoyable. However, take the initiative to address your concerns promptly, and seek additional health tips along the way, such as those in our 7 Simple Ways to Help Keep Your Breasts Healthy.

6. Experiment with Scary-Sounding Health Hacks

The idea of taking a cold shower might be unsettling, yet many experts advocate for its benefits, including improved hair and skin quality, enhanced immune health, reduced stress, weight maintenance, and emotional wellbeing². Also, consider the benefits of seemingly intimidating supplements like Chinese skullcap extract, a key component in BubbForest Ultra Pure Joint, a joint care supplement designed to enhance joint mobility and flexibility quickly—in as few as seven days—to keep you active.

7. Try a New Cuisine

Most experts criticize the typical American diet for its health deficiencies³. A diet rich in diverse, wholesome foods is more nutritious, and the various global cuisines demonstrate that eating well doesn't have to be dull.

Enhance your meals with fresh influences and spices from around the globe. Explore new, healthy options that outshine basic frozen stir-fries, such as Italy's intriguing squid-ink pasta, Scandinavia's pickled herring, and Spain’s spicy paella. Search for recipes and embark on a culinary adventure to diversify your diet. Don't hesitate to try new flavors and consider incorporating antioxidant-rich turmeric into your diet with turmeric tea or 100% certified organic ground turmeric root. Learn more by reading What is Turmeric?.

8. Change Your Way of Eating

Have you ever considered how your health might improve if you adopted a vegetarian, paleo, Mediterranean, gluten-free, 100% organic, or an unprocessed food diet? Try a new dietary approach, even if only for a week or two—you might be amazed by how much better you feel. If you have health concerns, discuss them with a doctor or dietician before making changes, and read Real Food: A Revival or a Revolution? to understand why real food diets are gaining popularity.

9. Get Rid of No-Good Comforts

When stressed, many of us turn to comforts like ice cream or wine. While it's important to maintain balance, consider the impact of less healthy habits. Challenge yourself by making these old comforts less accessible.

Instead, engage in healthier stress-relief activities such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, aromatherapy, or enjoy a relaxing drink like Mellow Mag, our naturally-flavored, magnesium-rich drink mix designed to help you unwind. For stress relief on the go, try our single serve drink packs, perfect for travel.

Also, explore more relaxation techniques in Say Om: 6 Tips to Help You Relax and Reduce Stress.

10. Make New Friends

Initiating conversations with new people as an adult can be daunting, and it often feels more challenging than it did during our younger years. However, the more frequently you engage with others, the easier it becomes. Maintaining both new and existing relationships is beneficial for your health.

Studies indicate that individuals with healthy relationships tend to live longer and enjoy better overall health⁴. Friends provide support through life's ups and downs. Build a robust support network for both mental and physical health, and read 7 Tips for Healthy Relationships to learn more.

11. Sign up for a Competition

Participating in a competition, such as a charity walk, a 5k fun run, or a local marathon, is an excellent way to set goals and meet new friends. You can register with a friend to make the experience less intimidating, or go solo and connect with others who share your journey. Your participation isn't limited to physical activities; consider entering a local art competition or a cooking contest to showcase your creative talents.

12. Know When to Let Go

Letting go can be frightening, but eliminating unnecessary elements from your life can be as impactful as adding new ones. Excess clutter in your home or schedule can cause tension, and negative influences can diminish your wellbeing. Reflect on what truly matters to you, and distance yourself from what doesn't bring you joy. Start small, with a drawer or a shelf, and gradually tackle larger areas. This approach can be transformative.

13. Travel More

While routines provide comfort, exploring new countries and cultures can broaden your horizons and introduce you to experiences beyond your imagination. Traveling to places where you don't speak the language might seem intimidating, but research shows that international travel has numerous benefits, including improved heart health, reduced stress, increased happiness, and enhanced creativity⁵. Renew your passport and plan your next adventure! Before you leave, read Jetsetter Wellness: Staying Healthy on the Go for travel tips.

14. Stop Worrying

Although it might seem counterintuitive to scare yourself, if you're prone to worry, the idea of ignoring those worries might seem frightening. However, consider whether worrying has ever truly benefited you. Most often, it only adds stress.

The next time you catch yourself fretting over something beyond your control, allow yourself to stop worrying and direct your thoughts to something positive. If there's something you can do, plan it out and then give your mind a rest. Practice deep breathing, meditate, take a walk, or engage in activities that bring you joy.

15. Laugh When No One Else is Laughing

Emotions are contagious⁶. It's easy to succumb to negativity or stress when surrounded by it, but make an effort to resist this tendency. Research has shown that even mimicking a smile or a frown can trigger corresponding emotional responses in our brains.

Seek out reasons to smile and laugh daily, even if you're the only one doing so. Your happiness could spread to others, and since happiness is linked to longevity, you'll be promoting health and wellbeing for yourself and those around you⁷.

16. Be Open-Minded

Cultivating open-mindedness is beneficial for both mental and physical health. Open-minded individuals are often happier, more optimistic, innovative, and creative. They experience less stress and maintain healthier social relationships.

Considering thoughts and opinions different from your own can be challenging, but approach daily interactions with curiosity. Ask questions and strive to understand others' perspectives. This approach doesn't require you to change your views—it simply enhances your life with greater understanding and compassion, potentially making the world a happier, healthier place.

Why Scare Yourself?

Challenging yourself in meaningful ways can foster growth in every aspect of life. Continuously striving to improve your self-care, boost your physical and mental health, and broaden your experiences can significantly enhance your wellbeing. Start today and share your successes and challenges in the comments below!

Looking for some health hacks that aren’t so scary? Check out Kick-Start Your Morning: 6 Morning Hacks to Kick-Start Your Day and Get Supermarket Smart: Grocery Store Hacks. And sign up for BubbForest emails to receive expert health & wellness advice, plus our best promotions delivered to your inbox!

About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, BubbForest Health

Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food.

Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition and, ultimately, led her to BubbForest Health.

Sources

¹ 3 science-backed reasons having a hobby will help your career. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/02/3-science-backed-reasons-having-a-hobby-will-help-your-career.html (Accessed 10/05/2018)

² Benefits of Cold Showers: 7 Reasons Why Taking Cool Showers Is Good For Your Health. Medical Daily. https://www.medicaldaily.com/benefits-cold-showers-7-reasons-why-taking-cool-showers-good-your-health-289524 (Accessed 10/05/2018)

³ What’s Wrong with the American Diet? HealthDay. https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/weight-control-39/obesity-health-news-505/what-s-wrong-with-the-american-diet-644659.html (Accessed 10/05/2018)

⁴ Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-Analytic Review. PLOS Medical Journal. http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316 (Accessed 12/28/2017) (Accessed 10/05/2018)

⁵ 5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad. NBC News Better Wellness.https://www.nbcnews.com/better/wellness/5-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-traveling-abroad-n759631 (Accessed 10/08/2018)

⁶ Emotions Are Contagious—Choose Your Company Wisely. Psychology Today.https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201210/emotions-are-contagious-choose-your-company-wisely (Accessed 10/08/2018)

⁷ Happiness linked to longer life. CNN.https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/health/happiness-linked-longer-life/index.html (Accessed 10/08/2018)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.