Adventure is a Big Word

Words by Sierra Smith. Photos by Coalatree Ambassador Ben Canevari. Follow him on Instagram @canevariphoto.

Adventure can mean so many different things all at once. When I was 16 years old and a brand-new driver, my idea of an adventure was jumping in the car and driving to the grocery store 2 miles from my house, but my version of adventure now would be zip lining in Mexico or bungee jumping in Switzerland.

We won’t all agree on what adventure truly means or how we choose to implement it in our own lives, but finding our version is a big thing. Don’t just take my word for it. Here are five benefits of adding a little adventure to your life.

Studies show that people who partake in a wide variety of experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions and limit the number of negative ones. It’s great if you have found a few activities that make you happy, but why not try another? You may find something that you absolutely love. Wouldn’t you hate to miss out on that opportunity? I know I would.

Sure, trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary. You may try something that you can’t stand, but at least now you know. You could have gone your entire life without knowing that you loathe skiing! The experience might not have been great, but you know now that you don’t need to do that again. When I was young, I refused to try sushi. I thought it was weird and gross and I just knew that I would hate it. One day I was feeling adventurous and thought I might give it a try. Turns out I love it. I could have spent the rest of my days hating sushi without ever trying it and missing out on the deliciousness. That would have been tragic.

Adventures small and big can excite us. Excitement leads to the release of hormones which is great for our bodies. Completing an adventure or tackling a challenging experience can leave us feeling more positive about ourselves. Embarking on a grand adventure can provide us with opportunities to escape our daily lives and be someone else for a short period of time. Adventure therapy, an experimental therapy, explores the powerful impacts that escaping your comfort zone can have. Studies show promising results and enormous benefits for all ages.

I always feel more confident in myself when I have discovered a new strength or mastered a new skill. I am sure we all feel that way. But how do we find these new skills if we don’t know they exist? By now, I hope you know the answer. Adventure obviously. Sometimes you have to branch out and try something new to learn how strong or clever you are. And once you know, you can carry that confidence with your forever.

For just one moment, think about your best friends and some of the memories you share. How many of those memories are of a new adventure or a time you tried something new? I don’t know about you, but pretty much all of mine are. We are eternally bonded by the time we almost got swept out to sea on children’s pool floaties in Puerto Rico, running around the neighborhood in trash bags, and nearly starting a business. These things may sound crazy, and they definitely were, but they were all building blocks in some incredibly strong friendships.

If wild and crazy adventures aren’t your thing, that’s totally fine. It doesn’t have to be, but I hope you take the time to find what adventure means to you and take advantage of the many benefits it brings. Who knows, it could change your life.