There is something about August that feels like standing at a crossroads. The gardens are overflowing, vacation photos are still being posted, and the kids are squeezing every last drop out of summer. Yet, if we’re honest, many of us have already started mentally packing away the flip-flops. We’re thinking about school supplies, heating oil, leaves that will soon need raking, and calendars that somehow become fuller overnight. Maybe that’s why August was specifically chosen as National Adventure Month.
Adventure has a funny way of reminding us, we don’t have to go far to begin the journey. Especially here in the NEK, we live in the mecca of adventures! When most people hear the word adventure, they picture mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, or boarding a plane to somewhere far away. But what if adventure isn’t measured in miles? What if it’s measured in moments? What if adventure is simply giving your brain something new to experience?
According to the National Institute on Aging (www.nia.nih.gov), learning new skills and engaging in novel experiences throughout life supports healthy aging and helps keep our brains active. Scientists refer to this remarkable ability as “neuroplasticity” and our brain’s capacity to create new connections throughout our lives. In other words, our brains like new experiences far more than we give them credit for. Think about the path you walk every day. Just by taking a new path, or taking a new adventure, you can start to change your health today and for the future!
Whether it’s the hallway at work, the aisle at the grocery store, or the road home, eventually your brain goes on autopilot. There’s nothing wrong with routines. In fact, routines can reduce stress and help us stay organized. But occasionally, our minds need us to color outside the lines. The world-famous Lynn Flint, who has performed on many stages across America, and now is one of the most beloved Wellness Center instructors, has always coined the term, “practice makes…permanent.” Not perfect, not exciting, just…the same. Take it from the fanciest lady we know, try something new and see what you may uncover and discover!
According to the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org), regular physical activity supports not only our heart and muscles but also our mood, memory, and overall brain health. Now imagine pairing movements with something you’ve never tried before. That’s a workout for both your body and your brain. Plus, a better mood? Haven’t we all had a day when we were even sick of ourselves? It’s so much better to like yourself, to feel fun and light in your own mind and perhaps even more present in our own bodies. You may just be one adventure away from a better mood.
The good news? You don’t have to leave the Northeast Kingdom to find adventure. Adventure might be walking a trail you’ve driven past for years but never explored. Or if walking isn’t for you, take the drive! It might be trying yoga when you’ve always said, “I’m not flexible,” and then finding out, you don’t become flexible first, you go and then you find that ease. It could be joining a Zumba® class because your grandchildren dared you to and leaving it with more friends than you came with. It might be visiting a local farmers’ market and bringing home one vegetable you’ve never cooked before and finding out you love it or, you’d never try that one again. Perhaps it’s calling a friend you’ve been meaning to reconnect with or introducing yourself to the new neighbor down the road, and you’re just one hello from reconnecting or potentially meeting your new best friend.
At North Country Hospital (NCH), we’ve believed for more than 44 years that wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about continuing to grow. That’s one of the reasons we’ve been investing in The Wellness Center for you! Offering adventures in our communities that might just be what you need to shake things up a bit. What’s more, inside NCH, our Worksite Wellness programs are encouraging our employees to participate in an Adventure Passport this month! A fun way to try something new, explore our community, and step just a little outside of everyday routines.
Why should employees have all the fun? If you’d like your own Adventure Passport, reach out to Mary at The Wellness Center: mhoadley@nchsi.org We’d be happy to share one with you. You might discover that your next adventure is closer than you think.
Here’s something we’ve noticed about adventures over the years: rarely do they begin with confidence; they usually begin with curiosity and a little anxiety. They usually start by saying yes before you know exactly how things will turn out. Maybe that’s why August was chose as Adventure month after all! Summer isn’t asking us to do something extraordinary before it ends, it’s simply inviting us not to stop growing. Take the invitation! Try the different road or the different class. Start a different conversation or read a different book. Order the different meal or wane to the new neighbor. Watch the sunrise instead of just the sunsets. Your next adventure may not change the world, but it just might change you. This month let’s not just get from one place to another, let’s choose adventure! Let’s choose the scenic route!