The benefits of being courageous
Inspiration
March 8, 2016By First For Women
Nelson Mandela said, "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." Courage means something different to everyone. For some, it’s the big, brave acts that we see superheroes in the movies perform.
For others, it’s the quiet, humble deed of standing up for something you know is right. Still for other people, it’s having the bravery to be yourself, whatever that means to you. Courage is all of these things, and what meaning it holds for you will depend on the day, your mood, and the situation you find yourself in.
1st for Women thinks that all women show their own kind of courage each day, whether it’s caring for a sick child, calling a friend whom you’ve had an argument with, or keeping a date when you’ve had a rough day.
It can even be working through some admin tasks when you’re feeling dejected, like getting building insurance quotes. The next time you find yourself needing a little courage, it might help to remember that there are a bunch of emotional and physical benefits that come with being brave. Here are some of our favourites:
You make more connections
Have you ever met someone and thought, “I love how that person is always just herself”? Being comfortable with yourself puts others at ease around you. And whether that means you like to say what’s on your mind, or you’re totally content to be an introvert or an extrovert, it’s appealing when you are who you are.
You learn
The results of a 2013 study suggest that the more stimulating and challenging a task is, the better it is for your mental health. When you step outside of your comfort zone and take on something that is different, you exercise your brain more. And what’s even more interesting is that, when you do something out of the ordinary with your loved ones, it’s even better for you, so you can deepen your social bonds and build relationships while keeping your mind fit.
You grow
OK, so you’ve always wanted to sky dive. Or maybe you want to join the local netball team. Maybe you just want an evening to let yourself relax, whether that means reading a book or watching your favourite show. Being brave can involve doing something you’ve been putting off, no matter how big or small it may seem to others. Stepping outside of the security of familiarity is challenging, which is exactly why you should do it from time to time. When you challenge yourself in this way, you’ll find resources within you that you probably never knew you had.
Encourage yourself
Think back to the last time you did something that was really difficult; you were scared, but you did it anyway. That feeling you had was probably a mixture of pride and resilience, and didn’t it make you feel really great? The more you exercise your courage muscle, the more you build it. If you trust yourself and do something that you’re scared to do, you’ll be building up your confidence.
Remember, going beyond what you’re normally comfortable with doesn’t necessarily mean actively going out and partaking in heart-racing activities; it can be as simple as recognising that you offer so much value to the world around you and making a pact with yourself to simply be who you are.
At 1st for Women, we know that, as a woman, you have inherent greatness in you and we want to help you let that greatness shine. That’s why we offer tailor-made insurance products that are designed to help you be the best version of yourself, whether it’s in our Vehicle, Home, or Building Insurance.
