How to prep yourself to embrace adventure

MANILA, Philippines – Adventure can mean different things to different people: some associate it with extreme sports, others link it with nature-related experiences, and others say it’s simply about doing something new every day.

Whatever your personal definition is, adventures are worth seeking because they push your limits. Your mind grows as you take in new experiences. Any adventure is always a welcome break from the mundane, or a catalyst for you to know what you’re truly capable of doing.

Make this your year not just to travel, or try, but to truly explore new frontiers. Is “be more adventurous” one of your perennial New Year’s resolutions? How do you plan to fulfill that this year? Keep these things in mind.

Motivate yourself to be fit

Even if your idea of adventure doesn’t involve anything like climbing Mt. Everest, you still need to be in good physical shape for light to moderate activities. Regular exercise also helps boost your mood and energy, so you can feel up and positive even on normal days.

“No time for the gym” is not an excuse. Your can do cardio exercises, such as walking or jogging, after work or during the weekend. You can do lunges, ab crunches, and squats in your room. Even leaving your desk to do stretches, walk around the office, or take a few flights of the emergency stairs can already do wonders! Track your progress to make sure you’re doing enough.

Choose an unexpected destination

Traveling is always an adventure in itself – you jump into unfamiliar territory and discard your daily routine. Take it a step further: skip typical tourist spots and go off the beaten track.

Siquijor, which is accessible by a 1-hour ferry ride from Dumaguete, is perfect for those who want an “all-in-one” itinerary sans the droves of tourists. In one day, you can explore the cool depths of Cantabon Cave, dive into the turquoise waters of Cambugahay falls, and still have enough time to enjoy the sunset in Salamangka Beach. You can also do diving and longboarding along the 102km coastline of this small province, where everything is just an hour’s ride away or less. 

Set mini-challenges for yourself

Turn the phrase “something I’ve never done before” into specific goals throughout your trip. If your last climb was 600 meters above sea level (masl), aim for a 800masl peak on your next hike. If you took a total 4000 steps in a day, push it towards 6000 tomorrow. 

Keeping tabs on these little milestones can be exhilarating on their own. Once you’re aware of your personal bests, you get a better gauge of how much farther you can go.

Get the right gear

If you want #adventure to be your top hashtag of the year, you’ve got to look the part. Invest in outfits and accessories that can withstand rugged environments. Some essentials would be a solid pair of trek shoes or sandals, dri-fit shirts and bottoms, a flattering swimsuit, an action camera, and an all-weather backpack. 

A smartwatch would come in handy, too. It can be useful not just for sending you email or text alerts while you’re exploring caves or trying your hand at water sports. For example, Samsung’s Gear S3 comes equipped with GPS, advanced fitness trackers, a barometer, altimeter, and speedometer, and is water- and dust-resistant. It’s the perfect companion whether you’re preparing for your adventures or actually enjoying them. Even when you’re just chilling out, you can enjoy its other features, such as 4GB of internal storage and built-in speakers so you can play back music anywhere, hands-free.

Make adventure a mindset

So what happens when you return to your desk and daily grind come Monday morning? Instead of wallowing in wanderlust and uploading #throwback photos in bulk, check whether anything feels different. Compared to diving off a cliff, how easy is it to revise a few documents? What’s surviving without electricity or Facebook for 24 hours compared to a few deadlines that you can finish without leaving your desk?

Embracing adventure isn’t just about seeking what’s out there, but also discovering new things about what’s in front of you, right now. From planning to visit a new place in the city every weekend, to starting (and sticking to!) a fitness regimen, to committing to step up at work, you can choose to see everyday tasks as opportunities to push yourself to be better. 

When you shift your perspective, every moment holds potential to be an adventure. – Rappler.com