Searching for motivation? Stimulation? Education? Perhaps what your brain (and heart!) crave is to try something new.
Our brains respond to novelty. New places, ideas, exercise routines, friends, tastes or smells all trigger our ‘exploration’ response and may increase 'happy hormones' in our systems: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's pleasure and reward center.
Trying something new isn't always as easy as we think it ought to be. Remember to give yourself some grace and flexibility in new experiences - you could start with something easier than or more challenging than, similar to or completely different than how you currently spend your time and efforts.
Looking for ideas?:
Resources:
http://niemanreports.org/articles/novelty-and-testing-when-the-brain-learns-and-why-it-forgets/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/dopamine
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16043240