Confront the Discomfort
Discomfort is unpleasant. When we’re uncomfortable it’s understandable that we’d want the feeling to end, although sometimes the avoidance of discomfort can lead us to a larger problem or allow existing problems to continue.
Part of being a healthy being in this world is learning to delay gratification and also to engage in uncomfortable situations knowing that they’ll promote an eventual wellness.
The good news is that an uncomfortable activity can decrease in discomfort over time. I recently started a new exercise routine, and to do this I started small. The first day I went to the gym was largely displeasing, but it was manageable. I walked on the treadmill but wasn’t able to be on it for longer than 5 minutes; I didn’t have the attention span. The next day, as you may guess, was better. It wasn’t great, but certainly less annoying. I was on it this time for 7 minutes and even ran for a portion. The next day the improvement continued, and I had a 10-minute session, walking on an incline and running sporadically. I’m now there for about 20 minutes each time, and although it isn’t exactly fun yet, it’s much better than when I started. The improvement and hope I have for further improvement is encouraging and has been enough to keep me going.
When I’m at the gym, enjoyment varies, but afterwards I always feel better than when I started. Mind you, I feel better because I don’t beat myself up for not doing more. My attitude is that by showing up I’ve succeeded.
The mistake I’ve made has been to assume that because the first time I do an activity is awful, other days would be the same. The reality is that each day will be different. My progress isn’t exactly a straight line upward. Some days I feel like I’m going backwards, although the overall trend is a positive one.
I am confronting an immediate discomfort to achieve a more ultimate goal. That goal is to increase my physical performance, as well as to benefit my mental health. By working out, I’m taking steps to avoid a possibly larger discomfort like health problems and helping to chip away at the physical and mental health problems I already have.
My treadmill logic applies to other activities where doing something seems daunting but isn’t impossible; the word “trigger” comes to mind. You may want to exercise but simply can’t muster the strength to do so. Be honest with yourself. If this is the case, maybe there’s another positive activity you could do. By doing so, you may gain the strength to eventually do the exercise you want to do. Positivity perpetuates and spreads from one area of our lives into another.
It’s been said that life is suffering, which in my mind is a partial truth. If we suffer small amounts in the immediate, we can help avoid larger suffering in the future. It’s been said that we need to “just do it” when it comes to engaging in activities that will benefit us. This is true to a certain extent but lacks nuance. We need to be honest with ourselves about what we can and cannot do. It may feel like a task is impossible, when in reality it’s just unpleasant. So, do what you can, which may be by starting small. Know that the first step may be hard, although the rest of the steps will likely be more manageable. It’s early days for me when it comes to exercise. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll enjoy it regularly after and during.
