Learning to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into New Experiences
If you're looking for ways to grow as a person, enhance your professional success, or improve your mental health, living abroad could be your solution. Experiencing new cultures and meeting people from around the world are proven to offer personal and professional growth. But taking that first big step toward a life abroad may be a bit too far out of your comfort zone.
As humans, we naturally seek comfort. After all, we are wired for survival, which makes the familiar and inviting seem like the best way to thrive and lead a healthy life. Taking unnecessary risks just simply isn't in our nature—but maybe it should be, especially when it comes to moving abroad and benefitting from life outside your home country.
Leaving comfort behind
As a psychological space void of risk, anxiety, or fear, your comfort zone may seem like the ideal space to live in. But falling into this trap of complacency allows no room for growth, stunting our personal development and negatively impacting our mental well-being. The comfort zone is an inviting and secure state, but it can also become an excuse to not take risks.
According to a Harvard Summer School study, “Moving into a learning or growth zone requires stress, and will likely require facing some anxiety, uncertainty, and a little bit of fear.” Their study shows, however, that the long-term benefits of taking risks greatly outweigh the momentary challenges and discomfort associated with leaving your comfort zone.
The benefits behind facing challenges
For the past century, psychologists have studied the way in which experiencing moderate levels of stress can not only help us grow and improve as individuals but can also improve our overall life satisfaction and mental well-being.
In 1908, psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson found that moderate levels of stress were beneficial to performance. At a certain point, stress levels inhibit performance, but before that, they promote growth, satisfaction, and overall well-being. A recent study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that “engaging in activities outside of one’s comfort zone boosted the life satisfaction of people who had relatively low life satisfaction.”
Living abroad is a proven way to push the limits of your comfort zone on a daily basis. While trying a new hobby or considering a career change may push you out of your comfort zone for a short period of time, life as an expat provides you with the opportunity to grow and learn new things on a daily basis. Dive into learning a new language, adapt to cultural differences, or learn how to navigate a foreign grocery store—lean into the fear of the unknown.
Learning to overcome these challenges can build resiliency, which has been shown to greatly improve your overall mental health and ability to cope with life’s hardest moments. In addition to building resiliency, living abroad contributes to a clearer sense of self and a stronger personal identity.
What may be holding you back from moving abroad
The benefits of studying, working, and living abroad have years of research backing them, but some people still choose the comfort of home over the thrill of life abroad. They may be concerned about language barriers, culture shock, leaving their friends behind, or something as small as missing their favorite foods. And even those who are ready to pack up their life and explore another culture may choose to delay their move abroad due to concerns about safety.
When it comes to creating a life in a different country, Madrid is a great, safe city to explore—especially as a student. In fact, students studying at IE University recently rated their satisfaction with safety as 8.2 out of 10. But even in a city as safe and welcoming as Madrid, there are unpredictable variables that may make you hesitant to leave your hometown.
Hesitation about leaving the familiar behind doesn't have to be an excuse to miss out on opportunities. Sometimes all it takes to calm your nerves or reassure family and friends is a little bit of preparation and motivation to break free from your comfort zone and reach your full potential!
Overcoming the challenge of leaving your comfort zone
If you’re interested in living abroad but are hesitant to take the risk, here are some tips that may help you step out of your comfort zone:
Research your future surroundings
There will be many unforeseen challenges and new experiences if you choose to live in another country. This can be one of the most exciting parts of the experience, but it also can bring on a bit of fear.
If the unknown is a concern for you, try learning about your host country and culture as much as you can before arriving. This could mean researching customs and traditional food, or maybe mapping out how the public transportation system works. However you wish to prepare, knowing what to expect can make the transition period smoother.
Have your documents in order
Moving abroad usually requires paperwork. Gathering your documents and ensuring you have everything you need can help mitigate issues while abroad. An easy way to keep everything together is by creating a digital copy on Google Drive or iCloud.
It’s also important to notify your doctor of your move to ensure you have your records translated and you can receive the correct prescriptions at your new pharmacy. Add reviewing your bank’s policy on foreign transaction fees to the list so that you can make an informed decision on if you need to open a foreign bank account. And finally, familiarize yourself with the location of your country’s embassy and consulate.
Go in with positivity
When preparing to navigate the daily challenges that come with moving abroad and stepping out of your comfort zone, do so with an open mind and a sense of excitement.
Challenges are unavoidable, so it’s better to face them head-on and remind yourself that the momentary worry, stress, or fear is what will allow you to grow, develop, and succeed in the near future.
Stepping out of your comfort zone will help you grow into a well-balanced, open-minded individual—both personally and professionally.