Want to Live Longer? Do Hard Things.
Most of us think that living longer is about eating well, exercising regularly, and having good genes.
Those matter, but there’s something else we can do.
We recently published a post on the importance of getting out of bed when we don’t really want to. It’s those things we don’t want to do that are counterintuitively good for us.
I recently listened to Dr. Andrew Huberman from Stanford University, and what he shared made sense.
Doing hard things, especially things you don’t enjoy but that are good for you, rewires our brains for resilience and longevity.
How does that work? Here’s the neuroscience:
🧠 Deep inside our brain is the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) – the “mental gym” for motivation and persistence.
🧠 Every time you push through something difficult, you strengthen this region.
🧠 Why does that matter? Because the aMCC is critical for maintaining cognitive function as we age.
🧠 The data also suggests this practice may even help us live longer.
Huberman’s advice: do one hard thing every day that benefits you, even if you don’t want to do it.
It could be a workout, making that tough phone call, or tackling a challenging project.
Each time you do, you’re not just building discipline; you are building a stronger, younger brain.
Here’s something else I found fascinating: neurosurgeons have physically stimulated the aMCC during brain surgery to better understand motivation.
When they apply a tiny electrical current, patients often feel a sudden surge of determination, an urge to act.
This shows the aMCC isn’t just theory, it acts as a ‘switch’ for drive and resilience.
In clinical settings, stimulating this area helps treat things like chronic pain and addiction.
So, when you choose to do something hard, you’re giving your brain the same kind of workout neurosurgeons use to boost motivation.
Think about that: every hard thing you do today is an investment in your future self.
What is one hard thing you’ll do today?
Let’s talk!
Want To live Longer, Do Difficult Things!