At Schluter & Hughes Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that aging is not a single moment, it's a journey filled with decisions, transitions, and, at times, difficult conversations. That's why we've built a team that extends beyond traditional legal services. Our dedicated Care Coordinators are experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who walk alongside seniors and their families, helping them navigate the often-overwhelming continuum of care with clarity, compassion, and confidence. It's about creating a path forward that feels supported, intentional, and safe, offering families peace of mind along the way.

The following piece, “Doing Hard Things,” written by Beth Regner, one of our Care Coordinators, offers a deeply personal look at what it means to face life's challenges with courage and support.

 Doing Hard Things 

By Beth Regner, PA-C CDP

Struggle. Frustration. Disappointment. None of us like doing difficult things that are physically uncomfortable or could potentially fail. But did you ever consider that this is not a personal shortcoming, but instead human biology trying to ensure our own survival?

Dr. Michael Easter, professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and author of the book “The Comfort Crisis” describes how ancient humans had an extremely difficult lifestyle. Think about it: they spent 100% of their life outside. They were always either too hot or too cold. They were in danger from animals and the elements and disease. And they were constantly moving to stay alive. It is estimated that ancient humans walked upwards of 20,000 steps per day, and it's a fairly safe bet that when they were walking, they were also carrying something heavy such as tools, an animal carcass, or their children.

Our ancestors lived in a world where everything was difficult and dangerous. Dr. Easter suggests that our ancient nervous systems evolved to respond to struggle as a threat to survival. Performing grueling tasks meant expended effort, energy, and resources, which was potentially life-threatening when food and shelter were hard to come by. Humans subsequently developed the wiring to achieve the best possible outcome with the least possible effort because this helped them to survive in their environment. Dr. Easter shares in his book that human brains were developed to be efficient, not ambitious.

Fast-forward to modern day, when our lives are ruled by efficiency and comfort. An individual could ostensibly live for very long periods of time without ever leaving their home. We have climate-controlled houses, indoor plumbing, remote jobs that pay us electronically, nearly infinite accessibility to food and supplies (think grocery delivery, DoorDash, and Amazon), and unlimited access to entertainment through our smartphones and other devices. However, our ancient evolutionary programming still remains. Dr. Easter refers to this as “evolutionary mismatch.”

Our brains are curated for efficiency in the face of physical difficulty. But what happens when life is no longer difficult? Our neurologic wiring backfires on us. Our brains tell us to seek the easy and efficient, but this no longer prolongs our life—it shortens it. The majority of chronic diseases that are shortening American lifespans are ones that are the consequence of overeating and lack of physical activity: heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Avoidance of discomfort is our ancient brain attempting to protect our modern bodies. In response to this, we should instead begin viewing discomfort as an indication we are doing something worthwhile and profitable for our brains and bodies. It is a sign we are doing something right.

Dr. Easter suggests we attempt to follow the “2% Rule.” He says that 100% of people know it is healthier to take the stairs than it is to use the elevator, but 98% still take the elevator. He encourages us to be the person who consistently tries to do the harder thing—the activity that only 2% of the population does. This includes the following:

·      • Lifting heavy things

·      • Parking far away and walking in

·      • Spending time outside in all types of weather, not just warm, sunny days

·      • Going someplace unfamiliar and learning to navigate it by yourself

·      • Developing a tolerance for boredom by not immediately scrolling on your phone when waiting in line or at the doctor's office

·      • Reading a book or article that is difficult and takes thought and concentration

The ability to withstand discomfort and to persevere in struggle has significant benefits. It leads to increased critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and cognitive tenacity. Struggle also means that we put ourselves in a position of duress where we subsequently develop new skills we might never have learned in a comfortable and easy setting. And most importantly, struggle leads to improved mental, emotional, and physical resiliency, which can significantly improve the quality, and potentially the quantity, of our years here on earth.

The next time you are out for a walk and feel tired or cold or bored, take a moment to stop and think about how your brain is likely telling you something. It wants you to avoid expending energy in a difficult situation to ensure your survival. If you make the choice in that moment to persevere, to keep walking and to allow yourself to get more tired, more cold, and more bored, you are combatting your ancient wiring system and teaching your brain resiliency, increasing your cardiovascular activity, and improving your ability to handle adversity. By using our own biology as a signal, we can improve our health and our quality of life.