Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Changing the hamster wheels

Linking up with Marcia again this week on her One Small Change challenge.

I read an article somewhere that the brain is a very "expensive" organ for the body to operate. Therefore, the brain will try to automate as much behavior as possible, even trying to run on empty if it can. This is why we become such creatures of habit. It's especially true for people as they get older.

Every time I go to the gym, I see some of the same people doing the exact same workout every single time. The same cardio machine, the same setting, the same length of time, usually even wearing the same clothes and shoes.

Hello, hamster wheel!

It wouldn't be hard to understand why those people might get bored and unmotivated to work out. I get tired of just seeing those people doing the same thing day after day after day!

The routine applies more to just working out. It applies to life in general. We all know our drills. Getting ready for the day in the usual pattern. Taking the usual route to work. Eating the usual foods. Doing the usual activities in the office in the same manner.

After awhile, our daily existence can become a collection of auto-pilot habits where our brains essentially switch off. This is the explanation behind why sometimes people have no memory of, say, driving a familiar route after they arrive at their destination.

The remedy is simple. We need to frequently take on new and increasingly difficult activities. This will help maintain the vibrancy of our minds, bodies, and lives.

Challenge accepted!


I had already begun mixing up my workout routine over the last few months, both out of boredom and out of necessity. More recently, though, I am making it a point to try changing some of my little daily "life" habits.

This includes things like taking a different route to work, picking a different spot to sit in the kitchen, grocery shopping in reverse order. I am right-handed but I've tried doing more things with my left hand, e.g. opening the door, brushing my teeth, using the remote control.


Speaking of being right-handed, trying to do some of these things with my left hand has made me realize just how right-handed I really am. Perhaps the more right-handed I am, the more right-handed I am making myself because I always cater myself towards being right handed (if that makes sense)?

In any event - just because a routine is small, doesn't mean changing it won't make a difference, especially over time.

Heck, just coming up with the little daily things to change has been a nice challenge. That by itself is a good way to keep the mind fresh, no?


14 comments:

  1. I agree, coming up with something new every week HAS been a challenge. Good for you!

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    1. It really is amazing how difficult it is just to think of things to change, yes? Congrats to you, too, for all the fantastic changes you've been making, as well!!! I love your goal of uplifting at least one woman every day. =)

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  2. I am completely right handed. It would be nearly impossible to do 99% of daily tasks with my left hand. Maybe I should try using it more! :)

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    1. Hail to us right-handers!!! I think I remember from high school biology class that being right-handed is a dominant trait in the pool of genetics... or maybe I am just hoping that it is, LOL. And I don't know about you, but I am even right-footed! My running shoes wear out more quickly on my right foot than on my left!!!

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    2. I'll have to check my shoes! :)

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    3. Let me know what you find! In my case, the difference is VERY obvious. Add to this that my left knee is my wonky one, so I favor that leg - putting even MORE pressure on my right foot. Craziness!!!

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  3. Oh wow I love this. We are SUCH creatures of habit! I am sitting where I always sit right now! Ha! Years ago at this gym I went to there was a red-headed girl on the stairmaster every. freaking. day. Going full bore except she held on with her elbows locked so not really doing that much work. I will never forget her. Such a fixture in that gym!
    I agree this challenge IS a challenge in itself! Haha! Thanks for linking!

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    1. Totally relate! I always sit in the same place to use my computer - so I tried sitting in a different place at the table and it was almost like a whole new perspective. =) I have seen some of the habitual stairmaster-users at my gym, too, always leaning on their elbows. I get frustrated seeing their poor form but feel like it's none of my business to say anything...

      Thanks again for hosting! I am loving this challenge!!!

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  4. What a cool idea! I do this with my commute- I try to take a different route during my walk each time!

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    1. Yay for taking a different route with your walk! I walk to work, too! I think we are blessed because it's much easier for walkers to change up the route compared to those that drive to work. But even when driving, you can listen to a different radio station, drive in a different lane, hold the steering wheel a different way. Always ways to mix things up. =)

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  5. Today I'm working on my laptop from the food court at our student center in Lincoln Park. I think that counts as changing it up!

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    1. That DEFINITELY counts as changing it up! What took you to that location to work for the day!?!?!?!?

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  6. Ah - I used to love as a kid trying to do things with my left hand (versus my dominate right). It was such a kick, especially when writing.

    You know something weird, though? I'm actually "wacky" when it comes to snowboarding/skiing (left dominate). I can't figure out why.

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    1. LOL, I also remember trying to write with my left hand and showing it to my teacher. She gently suggested that it would be easier for her to read my work if I wrote with my right hand. =D

      That is wacky that you are wacky with snowboarding/skiing (pun intended)! I've also heard the same described with surfing - apparently if you are left-dominate in surfing, you are called "goofy." So cute!

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