Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

A hidden addiction, comfort, has spread throughout society in this age of constant information and persistent desire for success. It’s a mild drug, but we give it to ourselves in the form of Netflix marathons, online shopping binges, and risk-free choices. In many respects, this addiction has stifled our personal and societal development despite being cloaked in the language of self-care and relaxation.

1. The Structure of Relaxation:

The essence of comfort is a sense of ease, fulfillment, and contentment. Comfort-seeking is hardwired into the human brain. It’s the brain’s failsafe against unpleasant experiences and danger. This evolutionary feature served us well back when we had to be on the lookout for danger all the time, but in modern times it often takes the form of dislike to anything that forces us out of our comfort zones.

2. Contemporary conveniences:

The conveniences of today’s society were designed with human comfort in mind. We have instant gratification at our fingertips, with fast food, entertainment, transportation, and cleaning/cooking/washing machines. While these innovations undoubtedly improve our quality of life, they also cause us to become less active, less mentally and physically stimulating, and ultimately less vital.

The rise of social media is further evidence of this trend. Algorithms filter out everything that doesn’t fit our preconceived notions, keeping us safe in places where we won’t be challenged to expand our horizons. In what way? We live in a society where people are becoming progressively closed off to new ideas, ways of thinking, and difficulties.

3. The Price We Pay for Comfort

Comfort is important for mental health to a point, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. If we let our ease lead to complacency, we risk missing out on:

• Personal Growth: A person’s progress is maximized at the threshold of their discomfort. Taking the safe route all the time prevents us from growing and improving as people.

• Invention and original thought: “necessity is the mother of invention,” as the saying goes. When one is overly cozy, there is no pressure to be creative.

• Learning to bounce back from adversity: When we live in a world that continuously cushions us from any form of adversity, we lose strength and resilience.

4. Interrupting the Pattern:

It’s crucial that, in order to wean off the medicine of comfort, we try the following:

• Try new things, whether it’s a sport, a place, or a subject of study, and don’t be afraid to stretch your limits. Keep in mind it is best to try one thing at a time, so as not to overdo it and end up giving up altogether.

• Do things that make you somewhat uncomfortable, whether they’re physical, like taking cold baths or doing strenuous workouts, or mental, like debating or questioning your deeply held ideas.

Enjoy the conveniences of contemporary living, but don’t go overboard. Try to strike a balance between active and inactive pursuits, binge viewing and reading, and fast food and home cooked meals.

When enjoyed within reason, comfort may be rather lovely. It’s a time to reflect on our good fortune and recharge our batteries. Overdosing, though, has negative consequences as with any substance. Finding a happy medium between comfort and restriction is crucial for thriving in today’s complex society. We miss out on some of life’s greatest rewards when we refuse to venture slightly outside our safe zones.