Too Much Comfort Is Detrimental

In today’s industrialized world, we live in a time of unprecedented comfort. Basic needs, and even many luxuries, are readily available. This lifestyle starkly contrasts with the harsh realities faced by our ancestors, who had to endure extreme conditions while foraging for survival.

Easter argues that the evolutionary traits that helped our ancestors thrive in adversity leave us ill-equipped for the comforts of modern life. Historically, our instincts pushed us to escape pain, leading us to seek warmth, safety, and food. However, this instinct can hinder our growth in a world that is largely comfortable.

The rise of helicopter parenting in the 1990s illustrates this issue, with children being overly sheltered. Research shows this parenting style fosters anxiety and increases the likelihood of mental health issues in adulthood. Children need the freedom to explore and learn autonomously, which helps them adapt to challenges without their parents' constant supervision.

Boredom also stems from our innate tendency to adapt quickly to comfort, known as hedonic adaptation. We must consistently seek new experiences to maintain satisfaction, as we become disillusioned with routine comfort.

A Little Discomfort Can Lead to Great Gains

The Comfort Crisis emphasizes the importance of challenging ourselves to realize our full potential. Setting personal goals and pushing our limits creates a sense of purpose and direction. Moderate discomfort can be beneficial, but excessive stress can be harmful.

Mark Seery, a psychologist at the University of Buffalo, found that experiencing manageable levels of adversity can enhance our resilience and perspective. Participants in his study who faced challenges reported greater life satisfaction and fewer health issues compared to those who lived in sheltered environments.

Dr. Marcus Elliott, an exercise scientist, echoes this sentiment, highlighting that engaging in situations with a high risk of failure fosters a healthier relationship with setbacks. These experiences not only help diminish our fear of failure but also reveal our true potential.

The benefits of discomfort extend to our mental health, helping to mitigate serious issues such as obesity, heart disease, and depression.

Overcoming Internal Barriers

If discomfort is so beneficial, why do we find it challenging to step outside our comfort zones? The answer lies in our internal triggers—negative emotions like boredom, sadness, and self-doubt that arise during new challenges.

When embarking on a daunting task—like training for a marathon or starting a new job—these internal triggers can become overwhelming. To overcome them, we must master our responses.

Managing these triggers is essential for pursuing constructive actions instead of falling into self-sabotaging habits. Here are four steps to help you navigate internal barriers as you tackle your next challenge:

1. Identify the discomfort that precedes your distraction, focusing on the internal trigger.
2. Document the internal trigger.
3. Approach the negative feeling with curiosity rather than disdain.
4. Stay vigilant during transitional moments.

For a deeper dive into mastering your internal triggers, refer to my comprehensive guide available on my blog.

By welcoming discomfort and overcoming internal obstacles, we can evolve into our best selves.

Nir Eyal is a former lecturer at Stanford University and the bestselling author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Indistractable has received numerous accolades and was recognized as one of the Best Books of the Year by Amazon.