Getting comfortable with discomfort

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the topic of discomfort in our lives. There’s a lot of research that is being done on the topic of comfort and discomfort, as we’ve been able to over-engineer our environments in such a way to avoid any kind of discomfort: we live in temperature regulated buildings, food is delivered to us instantly, entertainment available online in abundance – to get your basic needs met, humans don’t need to struggle as much as they used to. Studies show, however, that despite our increased levels of comfort, we are not happier or less anxious because of it. 

One of the most widely cited studies on this topic is the Easterlin Paradox, named after the economist Richard Easterlin, who first described it in the 1970s. The paradox is the idea that, at a point in time within a country, people with higher incomes are more likely to report being happy. However, over longer periods of time as average incomes grow, happiness levels don't necessarily follow the same upward trend.

Fascinating. 

From what I’ve read our reward-system, which is regulated by dopamine, factors into this heavily: For example, when you experience something pleasurable for the first time, there's a significant dopamine release. But as you experience the same thing repeatedly, the dopamine response can diminish – a phenomenon called habituation. This means that as we get more accustomed to comforts and luxuries, they might not give us the same "happiness boost" as they initially did.

This explains why doing the same routine, being exposed to the same stimuli every day is likely going to make you feel sort of complacent, as long as there is not enough reward attached to it. 

I have found time and time again that breaking out of my comfort zone, through working out or even having not-so easy conversations makes me feel fulfilled and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Experiencing discomfort, can lead to an enhanced appreciation of comfort. When I lean too heavily on one side I try to find a good balance, but my experience tells me that residing on the side of comfort for too long will stunt your personal growth, and ultimately your sense of fulfillment at work and in life. 

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