Risk taking

Taking a risk is when you experiment with a new behaviour. It can be healthy and a positive way to:

• test your limits
• test other peoples boundaries
• learn new skills and experience new things (including in work, study, relationships)
• experiment with new identities
• increase your self-esteem
• take on more independence and responsibility for your life.

Taking risks can be fun and give you an adrenaline rush but sometimes those risks may affect your well being and cause you harm.

Lower risk ways to get that adrenaline rush

It's possible to get an adrenaline rush without risking injury or the safety of yourself or others. Depending on what gets you going, you might try:  

• surfing or skate boarding
• bungee jumping 
• skydiving
• canyoning
• rock-climbing
• roller-blading
• going on rides at a fun park

When taking a risk might be a problem

Taking a risk might become a problem if it has a negative effect on your day to day life. Examples of unhealthy risky behaviours might be: 

• unprotected sex
• drink driving
• train surfing
• drug or alcohol abuse, including binge-drinking
• deliberate self-harm 
• dropping out of school or getting suspended regularly
• breaking the law, e.g. shoplifting
• severe or excessive dieting.

When deciding if your risk taking is a problem it may be useful to consider the following questions: 

• Does it interfere with, or have an negative effect on, other parts of your life, such as relationships, study and work?  
• Does it put yourself or others in danger?
• Do you have previous experience or enough information about it or the consequences of the behaviour?

Why take unhealthy risks?

The reasons you might take in unhealthy risks, include:

• Peer pressure - It is not uncommon to want to have respect from your friends or those whose opinion may be important to you. Engaging in a risky or dangerous activity or behaviour may be a way for you to feel accepted and part of the group. For more information about peer pressure and how to manage it check out the fact sheet on the left side of the page.
• Believing that it's a way of proving to yourself or others that you're an adult and that you are responsible for your own actions.
• Dealing with problems or escaping from unhappy situations or feelings. It may not always be obvious that you are using the behaviour as a way of managing your problem or unhappy situation. For ideas on how you might be able to manage your situation in a healthier and safer way, check out the fact sheets on the left side of the page.
• As a form of rebellion against something or someone.
• To get attention or a response from someone.

Deciding to change your behaviour

You may be thinking about taking a risk or else are already taking risks. Changing your behaviour can be tough, particularly if you have been doing it for a while, feel pressure to do it or it means changing your lifestyle, or moving away from people you've always hung around with.

The following steps may help you decide whether you want to continue or change your behaviour:

1. Identify: Sometimes you may not be aware that a behaviour is unhelpful or unhealthy. Identify the risks and benefits of your behaviour and how it effects others and yourself (e.g. health, work, family etc).   
2. Contemplation: Think about the pros and cons of changing your behaviour. This might include thinking about how you can reduce the risks associated with the behaviour. 
3. Decision: If you do decide a change in behaviour is needed, start by making a plan to change. This might include action plans and setting small, gradual goals.
4. Action: As you start carrying out your action plan make sure you reward yourself for reaching each goal to provide positive reinforcement. Identifying barriers to change, coping skills, and social supports is also important. 
5. Maintenance: Develop strategies for sustaining the changes. This may be through your social supports and by reminding yourself why you changed your behaviour.
6. Relapse: You might find yourself reverting back to the unhelpful behaviour. It's important not to blame yourself or feel guilty. Changing behaviour can be hard and relapse is not uncommon. If you do relapse, go back to the Decision and Action steps.  

More Information

Check out the factsheets listed on the left side of the page for more information.