Photo Credit: PeakTimeTV.com

“It’s the heightened awareness in physical risk taking that’s so valuable,” says Michael Gass, chair of the kinesiology department at the University of New Hampshire. He has been studying the benefits of physical risk taking for over 20 years.

“The limited stimulus field helps people weed out less important information.” In the face of danger, instinct takes over. Your attention becomes keenly focused on your body and your surroundings.

– Source Psychology Today; Swallow Your Fear by Jessica DuLong

I would have to agree. But I’m going to add something. For me, at least, taking an emotional and intellectual risk while creating comedic conflict with others has ALWAYS got my heart beating faster than anytime I’ve jumped out of a plane.

Van Horn’s experience illustrates what a growing number of experts have found: Taking physical risks is good for you. Whether you’re piloting a single-engine plane, careening through rapids, or dangling from a cliff, successfully navigating risky situations teaches you about yourself, increases your self-confidence, and helps you better manage life’s inevitable uncertainties. — Jessica DuLong

There are many of us who stay within our realm of reality not daring to step outside. There are also many of us who push the envelope everyday and can’t imagine a day not doing so.

I am some where in the middle and I challenge you to be as well. Here’s the first (NON Conflict) adventure challenge:

What is one simple thing you can do today that would be completely out of character?

What would it take for you to do it?

Here’s my answers:

Pick up my daughters from “Super Summer Program” and take the rest of the day off hanging out at the pool.

$250.

Thing is – this would be completely out of character for me as I am strapped in by a false notion of “OMG – I HAVE to be at work!” and the ultimate fear if anyone found out. Seems small, huh? Well, to an outsider it is. (But I’m working on it.) We need more outsider perspective! (BTW – we all have a price!)

And if you would do it for free, what’s the benefit you’d receive? Finally feeling risk? Letting go?

Start small. We’ll get to the peaks soon enough.

Cheers, and let me know how it goes.