We live in a world of instant gratification. We want things to be easy, convenient, and comfortable. But what if I told you that true growth, the kind that lasts a lifetime, often comes from embracing discomfort? Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable may be the missing ingredient you need to push past plateaus and unlock your fullest potential.
What Does It Mean to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable?
When we talk about growth, we usually think about things like learning a new skill, hitting the gym, or building a healthy habit. But real growth, the kind that transforms us from the inside out, often happens outside of our comfort zones. It’s about deliberately choosing experiences that challenge us, even when our instincts scream for safety and comfort.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable means reframing discomfort as an opportunity, not a threat. It’s an invitation to stretch yourself in ways you never thought possible. By intentionally leaning into discomfort, you train your mind and body to adapt, making future challenges easier to tackle.
My Experience with Cold Plunging: A Lesson in Discomfort
One of the most effective resilience-building habits I’ve developed is cold plunging. For those unfamiliar, cold plunging involves immersing yourself in frigid water, often at temperatures that make your muscles tighten and your breath catch. It’s the very definition of uncomfortable, especially at first.
I remember my first plunge vividly. The cold was shocking, almost unbearable. My body’s immediate response was panic—everything in me screamed to get out of that freezing water. I was actually hysterical- my brain and body could not compute the cold I was enduring. But I stayed. I took slow, controlled breaths, focused on calming my mind, and let my body adapt. After a few moments, something surprising happened: I found a sense of peace. It wasn’t about fighting the discomfort but accepting it.
Over time, I started to crave the cold plunges, not because they became easy, but because they symbolized my growing ability to embrace discomfort. The habit taught me that I could remain calm and centered even when things were far from comfortable. That lesson has carried over into every aspect of my life, from dealing with work stress to navigating personal challenges.
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The Science Behind Discomfort and Growth
It’s not just anecdotal—there’s a strong scientific basis for why discomfort leads to growth. When we step outside our comfort zones, our bodies and brains are forced to adapt to new stimuli. This process, called hormesis, is how we build resilience. Just like muscles grow stronger when subjected to the stress of lifting weights, our mental and emotional resilience strengthens when we face discomfort head-on.
In the case of cold plunging, the exposure to cold triggers a cascade of physiological responses: your heart rate increases, blood flow is directed towards vital organs, and your brain releases endorphins and norepinephrine—neurochemicals that boost mood, focus, and stress resilience. Over time, these stress responses become more efficient, making you better equipped to handle not just the cold, but other forms of stress too.
How to Embrace Discomfort in Your Own Life
You don’t have to start with cold plunging to begin getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. There are many ways to build this habit into your daily life:
Start Small with Micro Discomforts
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- Take a cold shower for the last 30 seconds. It’s a small but powerful way to begin training your mind to stay calm under stress.
- Skip the elevator and take the stairs, even when you’re tired. Push your body a little harder than it wants to go.
Try New Experiences
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- Sign up for a class or activity that scares you a bit. Whether it’s public speaking, rock climbing, or a new art class, leaning into the discomfort of being a beginner helps build resilience.
Practice Mindfulness During Discomfort
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- When you’re in an uncomfortable situation, notice the urge to escape. Instead of giving in, take a deep breath and simply observe the discomfort without judgment. Over time, you’ll realize that discomfort is temporary and manageable.
Embrace Failure as Part of the Process
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- Getting comfortable with discomfort often means facing setbacks. Rather than avoiding failure, view it as a sign that you’re stretching yourself beyond what’s easy. Every failure is a lesson, a stepping stone toward growth.
The Long-Term Benefits of Embracing Discomfort
Once you start seeking out discomfort and embracing it, you’ll notice profound shifts in your mindset:
- Increased Resilience: By regularly exposing yourself to controlled discomfort, you become more adaptable and resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.
- Greater Mental Clarity: Discomfort forces you to be present and focused. Whether it’s during a cold plunge or a tough workout, these moments of intense discomfort can bring a surprising sense of clarity.
- Deeper Self-Understanding: You learn more about who you are when things aren’t easy. Discomfort strips away the superficial layers and forces you to confront your true self, helping you build a more authentic and grounded identity.
Final Thoughts
Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. It happens when you’re shivering in a freezing cold lake, standing in front of a room full of strangers, or stepping into a situation where you’re not quite sure you belong. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable isn’t just about building physical resilience; it’s about cultivating a mindset that welcomes challenge, embraces the unknown, and sees discomfort as a gateway to growth.
So, the next time you’re faced with a choice between comfort and challenge, lean into the discomfort. It may be uncomfortable in the moment, but the long-term growth is worth every shiver.
Further Reading
Ben Beresh is a creative entrepreneur and owner of MossyBrain. Originally from Niagara Falls, ON, he now happily calls Broken Arrow OK home, along with his wife Jessica, four amazing kids and dog Charlie. Ben likes to have a good time, all the time (Enneagram 7), playing guitar, the Wim Hof Method, forest bathing, as well as enjoying all types of sandwiches.
Connect with him on Facebook or ben@mossybrain.com.
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