Resiliency and Adversity are so important to me, even if they have to be manufactured. And In the context of health and longevity, even more so.
The best of us manufacturer adversity all the time. We make it hard for ourselves in the short term, for long term gain. We take the long road. Those of us who are resilient and continue to seek challenges are a lot healthier and happier.
Why?
Because we test our dependencies.
Our addictions. Our comfortable habits. Things we ‘cannot’ do without.
People often say, ‘I can’t live without X’. Or ‘there’s no way I’m not having Y’.
What are some of your dependencies? – Here are some actual examples:
Could you go a month without coffee?
Could you switch up Hot showers for Cold showers?
Would it be impossible for you to not use your phone an hour before bed?
Could you eat really healthy for a month and avoid, Pizza (your first real love)?
If you answered no to one or more of these examples, bingo, we found a dependency!
We all have them, and they are great, but they don’t really challenge us. They comfort us.
What happens one day if a doctor tells you to cut out coffee or your hot water system breaks?
Practicing and manufacturing adversity makes your invulnerable to your dependencies. It gets you ready for future situations where habits and routines may be thrown out of whack and your comfort zone is no longer a comfort zone.