If you take a random poll of the people you know, most will tell you they want a more comfortable life.

The comfortable life is one that’s easy and free from stress. That’s the good life we’re working to achieve.

But what if that view is wrong?

Maybe we’re supposed to embrace discomfort and step out into uncharted territory.

At least when it comes to pushing our bodies, choosing to embrace discomfort can actually help us to grow stronger and better able to fight stress.

Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

If you’re not a regular exerciser, the thought of getting started can be intimidating. After all, it sounds like it’s probably going to be hard! Just the thought of it may be unpleasant.

However, that’s a fact you’re not able to get around. Being uncomfortable is part of the deal. But when you can embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it, that’s when you’ll start to reap the big rewards.

To put it short, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Reassure yourself that you’ll be able to handle it. Feeling uncomfortable is okay.

What Does the Research Say?

Regular exercise helps you to more effectively deal with stress.

You may already be aware of the health benefits of exercise: you reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and osteoporosis. But exercise has an amazing impact on your mental outlook as well.

A study reported in the European Journal of Applied Physiology looked at the effects of exercise on students. Half the students were advised to run two times a week for 20 weeks. The other half of the group did not do any running.

At the end of the 20-week period, all students participating in the study wore heart-rate monitors during the most stressful exam week. The students in the running group had better heart-rate variability—which means that their bodies weren’t as physically affected by the stressful experience of the exams.

Another study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology found that college students who went from being inactive to exercising just two or three times a week reaped a whole host of benefits, from lower stress levels to better spending and study habits. They also consumed less caffeine and alcohol, made healthier diet choices, and performed better when their self-control was tested.

The key is that exercise seems to improve our ability to keep a calm and level head in the midst of any circumstance.

A Little Effort Yields Big Results

You might think that you have to become an elite athlete to really see the benefits. But the studies actually showed that it doesn’t take very much exercise at all. Even just a couple sessions of modest exercise each week can make a difference.

The key to really seeing results in both your physical conditioning and your mental toughness is to push yourself just a little harder each time you exercise. If you want to quit after jogging just 15 minutes, challenge yourself to go just five minutes more. Push yourself just a little bit further each time you exercise.

The Benefits of Embracing Discomfort

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable isn’t just about physical fitness. When you push yourself just a little harder than before in many situations, your stress tolerance increases.

You’ve moved the bar for what’s acceptable. Soon, you find yourself wanting to try new things that were once too scary.

You become able to believe that you can do more because you prove it to yourself on a regular basis. Maybe you’ll finally have the guts to start that business you’ve been considering, or to ask out the attractive person who seems out of your league.

The sky is the limit to your potential!