In the modern world, the pursuit of safety and comfort is often synonymous with progress. From workplace regulations to digital conveniences, the effort to minimize risk and maximize ease has redefined our daily lives. However, while safety and comfort are essential components of a healthy society, an overemphasis on these values can paradoxically hinder human growth and development.
While researching this topic, I got to quite a few gotchas and wow-zas. Thats what I would like to explore today.
Starting with a stereotypical – growth happens outside of the comfort zone. But does it?
As society becomes increasingly geared toward comfort, individuals are less likely to encounter the challenges that foster resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Psychologists have noted that “discomfort tolerance”—our capacity to handle frustration and stress—is crucial for development (Duckworth et al., 2016). When comfort is prioritized above all else, people may miss out on the beneficial stressors that build endurance and innovation.
For instance, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that challenging experiences strengthen adaptability and coping skills, two key factors in personal and professional success (Oishi, Schimmack, Diener, 2012). Modern conveniences, while useful, can inadvertently limit our opportunities to engage with these challenges.
I’ve been exploring this, when I was researching resilience. What I found both there and here, matched my gut feel. You need a fire to run towards to make leaps in your personal development.
Safety regulations and risk aversion policies, though vital in areas like construction or healthcare, have increasingly influenced other domains. A 2019 report by the Institute of Economic Affairs discusses how excessive risk avoidance, especially in education and recreation, may result in “overprotected” individuals who are ill-equipped to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions (Institute of Economic Affairs, 2019). By avoiding risks, individuals miss critical learning experiences.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s concept of “antifragility” provides a compelling counterpoint to our obsession with safety. Taleb argues that systems (and people) thrive on variability, stress, and even disorder (Taleb, 2012). Over-securing environments can deprive individuals of the chance to grow through challenge, which stifles innovation, mental resilience, and even physical adaptability.
Innovation thrives on discomfort and the drive to solve complex problems. However, as societies become more comfortable, the motivation to innovate can wane. For example, MIT economist Daron Acemoglu notes that periods of economic hardship, such as during the Great Depression, led to groundbreaking innovations out of necessity (Acemoglu, Robinson, 2012). When comfort and security are abundant, there is less incentive to question the status quo and pursue novel solutions.
Technology is a prime example. Smartphones, GPS, and internet-based services have undoubtedly increased convenience but may also contribute to a reduction in our cognitive abilities and reliance on personal problem-solving (Carr, 2010). As cognitive scientist Nicholas Carr argues in The Shallows, the automation of everyday challenges diminishes our engagement with deeper thinking, fostering a reliance on machines over human ingenuity.
Overprotecting individuals from risk can result in diminished physical and mental resilience. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and professor at San Diego State University, has studied the decline in resilience and found that younger generations, raised in hyper-safe environments, are more susceptible to stress and anxiety than previous generations (Twenge, 2017). This decline in resilience impacts not only individuals but also workplaces and communities.
Furthermore, studies in evolutionary biology emphasize the importance of “stressors” in the development of stronger biological systems. Researchers at Harvard Medical School, for example, have found that exposure to mild stress helps the brain develop coping mechanisms that are crucial for mental health (McEwen, 2013). In other words, a moderate level of stress is essential for psychological growth, while comfort without challenge may lead to fragility.
So how about the other part of my thesis? Is it then discomfort-only to grow?
Critics question the belief that exposure to adversity or discomfort is essential for resilience. Jean Twenge’s research suggests that younger generations, despite higher comfort and safety, report more stress and anxiety (Twenge, 2017). While some interpret this as evidence that safety breeds fragility, others argue that rising stress levels may be due to unprecedented global challenges like climate change, economic instability, and a fast-paced digital world. Psychologist Peter Gray suggests that resilience is complex and may not be as simple as building “toughness” through discomfort. Instead, he proposes that resilience can be nurtured by fostering autonomy, social connections, and meaningful pursuits in safe environments (Gray, 2015).
Albeit it’s not a very convincing discovery / study. What these sources miss out on, are also biological, social and environmental factors.
Here are quotations from relevant studies that illustrate how various environmental factors can weaken the nervous system:
- Pesticide Exposure and Neurodegeneration:
“Exposure to pesticides, particularly organophosphates like chlorpyrifos, has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Chlorpyrifos exposure can disrupt neuronal function, leading to cognitive and motor impairments.”
(Sun et al., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2020) - Heavy Metals and Neurological Health:
“Chronic exposure to heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and arsenic, is correlated with neurotoxicity and cognitive deficits. These metals induce oxidative stress and disrupt normal neurotransmission, posing significant risks to both children and adults.”
(Sun et al., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2020) - Air Pollution and Cognitive Decline:
“Long-term exposure to air pollution, particularly to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, has been associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may increase the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.”
(Calderón-Garcidueñas et al., Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2020) - Psychosocial Stressors and Neurodevelopment:
“Early-life exposure to psychosocial stressors, such as socioeconomic hardship and traumatic events, is linked to structural and functional changes in the nervous system, potentially leading to long-term cognitive and emotional impairments.”
(Calderón-Garcidueñas et al., Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2020)
Additionally, exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has been associated with neurophysiological and behavioral dysfunctions. For instance, research highlights that prolonged EMF exposure may result in changes in cognitive function and heightened sensitivity to stress, suggesting a link between EMF exposure and weakened nervous system function (Springer Link, 2016).
We might be then expecting resilience and ‘toughing up’, from generations that literally can’t. Due to the state their nervous systems are in.
So whats my final verdict?
While safety and comfort are important, the focus on them is rather an outcome of a too-fast paced, polluted culture, which is making our bodies to scream at us to stop. We are past the point of expecting resilience from people, unless we teach them the importance of managing biological, environmental and psychological factors.
And, there is a paradoxical loop in action. The more society prioritizes comfort and safety, the more people lose the motivation to venture into “hard” or uncertain experiences – the very ones that can foster resilience, personal growth, and a sense of fulfillment. Over time, our reliance on comfort can inadvertently diminish the human capacity for handling discomfort, which is crucial for adaptability, innovation, and long-term well-being. This dynamic leads to a kind of collective fragility where people are less equipped to face challenges independently, increasing dependency on comfort measures while also diminishing exposure to beneficial stressors that support growth.
The cycle becomes self-perpetuating. As individuals rely more on comfort and safety, societal expectations adjust, creating environments that limit discomfort and, by extension, reduce opportunities for meaningful challenges.
Are we heading for a crash?
I don’t know …
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