Did you know that there are several good reasons to challenge yourself in your everyday life? We invite you to read on about all of the ways that challenging yourself can improve your sense of well-being and the quality of your life.

Personal Growth

Perhaps the most straightforward and beneficial reason to challenge yourself in all aspects of life is so that you grow as an individual. Complacency is the enemy to becoming a socially healthy person. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. What was once maybe a routine in your life can eventually wear down to a path you get trapped in. Branch out! Do something unexpected, maybe even a little dangerous-sounding. Obviously don’t do something that will put you or yourself in unnecessary peril, but consider getting out of your comfort zone. Do something like, say, tackling an arboreal obstacle course dozens of feet in the air in the forests of Michigan? Just a thought. By doing something you wouldn’t normally do, you will begin to learn more about yourself as a person. You will learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. You might learn that you are stronger than you ever thought you had any right to be. You may discover a new passion, and then stand bewildered at the idea that you were somehow living without this knowledge.

Gain Skill

Do you know what the secret to gaining an interesting skill set is? Believe it or not, it’s actually quite simple. The first thing you have to do is stand up, and then the second thing is to go do whatever it is you’re dreaming about. Do you wish you could paint? Stand up, go to the art supply store, and buy some paint and a canvas. Do you wish you knew more about photography? Stand up, grab your camera, and head outside. Do you wish you were more adventurous? Get some friends and family and come climb some trees at TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids. You gain interesting skill sets by experiencing and doing new things. Painters paint, photographers photograph, adventurers embark. All you must do is decide to begin, then let the momentum take you to places you’ve never been!

Become Healthier Physically and Mentally

When you push yourself to break out of the metaphorical box that is so easy to get stuck in, you will start to notice that your physical and mental well-being become more vibrant. The human brain creates synapses through repetition and emotion. What this means is that the more you do something, and if you can attribute a positive emotion to a healthy activity, your brain will actually start to begin to function more easily with time. Doing something to challenge yourself in a healthy way will begin to actually physically change your brain structure, and you’ll find that you’re a much more healthy person through the natural course of time.

Become a Better Friend and Partner

Doing an activity together with friends, family and your spouse can help make you a better friend, parent and spouse in turn. As an example, setting a goal for you and your significant other to conquer our adventure park will strengthen the bond between you. When you depend on each other for emotional and physical support in a practical activity, like climbing and rappelling, it is easier to depend on and be there to support each other in other aspects of life. Conquering challenges together will tighten the bonds between you and the ones you care about the most.

Become More Creative

Sometimes all that you need to become more creative and inspired is a change of perspective. Challenge yourself to look at the world in a different way. If you find yourself lacking inspiration, challenge yourself to get out in the world and do something  you wouldn’t normally do. Naturally, we’d encourage you to try climbing a tree, but of course, that is only one option. In the immortal words of Joey Tribbiani, “you face your fears same as anything else, you’ve got a fear of heights, you go to the top of the building, you’ve got a fear of bugs… get a bug.” Even if something seems scary, try it. It might be just the catalyst for change and inspiration you’ve been looking for.

New Experiences = Fun!

This may seem like a no-brainer, but when you’re trapped in the same old day-in, day-out routine of waking up, going to work, coming home, going to bed, and repeat, you’ll start to notice that joy is lacking in your life. Challenge yourself to do something new! Even if it is as simple as going to a restaurant that you’ve seen a million times but never eaten at, or going to a scary movie when you don’t like being scary movies. The idea is that new experiences open new pathways in the brain and open up the possibilities of having a good ol’ fashioned fun time!

Challenge In The Trees

All of us here at TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids hope that you can find interesting ways to challenge yourself in your everyday life. We’d like to invite you to join us with your family and friends to try something new and exciting, and to grow as individuals and as a whole. Contact us today and plan your next adventure! We can’t wait to be there with you on your journey to becoming the person you always wanted to be.