The Science Behind Doing Hard Things (Despite Not Wanting to Do Them)

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done for your health? In 2010, I hadn’t taken a warm shower in nine months. Not one of those cold showers was enjoyable and I don’t remember feeling any endorphins or dopamine rush. I didn’t have language for what cold shock proteins were, either. 

It was just hard. 

My thought process was as simple as this:

1. What’s the toughest thing I could add to my day. 
2. I hate cold water. 
3. I’m only taking cold showers from here on out. 

I’m not looking for admiration here. This isn’t a humble brag. Frankly, people are doing ice baths first thing in the morning seemingly indefinitely. I’m sharing this with you because (apparently) this effort wasn’t for nothing. 

Scientists call the process of practicing doing the things we don’t want to do as “overcoming limbic friction.” And, it has remarkable benefits! This process (albeit cold showers or doing some other highly resisted practice anyway) creates new neural pathways in the brain. Furthermore, these steps are the building blocks towards greater self-reliance.