I'm A Positive Psychiatrist: This Is How To Hack Your Brain To Be More Resilient

You know that feeling of satisfaction when you finally complete something you've been working on for a while or follow through on an intention that really challenged you? It turns out, achieving those lofty goals offers benefits beyond just an immediate reward.

To illustrate how challenging ourselves can result in a sense of well-being, Boardman explains a study from the University of Richmond, which she dubs the "Froot Loop experiment1."

Here's the gist: The researchers wanted to train rats to drive tiny, lab-made cars. So every time they steered or navigated the car to various locations, they earned a Froot Loop. ("Apparently it's their favorite [food] in the world," says Boardman.)

However, the researchers separated the rats into two groups before their driving tests: One group lived in a complex, enriched environment filled with dynamic challenges (tall structures, climbing ladders, and the like—things rats might consider as challenges, anyway). The other group was housed in a standard (read: boring) lab setting, no obstacles in sight.

When it was time for the driving test, the researchers found that the rats who lived in the more dynamic, enriching environment were more resilient to the challenges they faced while navigating the car. They kept at it until they finally reached their Froot Loop; the rats who lived in lab housing, however, were more likely to give up when faced with driving challenges, Froot Loop be damned.

Of course, the key to reaping the benefits of desirable difficulties is feeling that the goal is, in fact, desirable. In terms of realistic challenges that give you the resilience reward, Boardman is a big fan of hobbies, as learning new activities can have some brain-healthy benefits.