February 9, 2026

“Life is full of opportunities to step outside the comfort zone, but grabbing hold of them can be difficult,” wrote Dr. Oliver Page, MD. Added, what holds people back most of the time is their frame of mind, rather than any distinct lack of knowledge.

I was curious what is being written about comfort zones, so I did a Google search and these some of the article titles that popped up: “Break out of your comfort zone,” “How to leave your comfort zone,” “The Science of breaking out of your comfort zone,” and many others.

What is a comfort zone? It is a mental and emotional space where you feel safe, secure, and at ease (perceiving that you are). There are low levels of stress and anxiety in comfort zones.

Brene Brown describes a comfort zone as, “where our uncertainty, scarcity and vulnerability are minimized. Where we believe we will have access to enough love, food, talent, time, admiration. Where we feel we have some control.”  

“Comfort zones are important when it comes to maintaining mental health. The security and stability they provide can help reduce feelings of anxiety and promote greater relaxation,” commented Kendra Cherry, MS, Ed. However, staying in our comfort zones too long can limit our potential for new experiences.

According to Gregg Levoy, author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion, wrote, though a comfort zone is equated with complacency, it is also a vital plateau in the growth process. (*bold for emphasis.)

We got be willing to get shaken up a bit, noted Levoy. The desire to set and reach a goal will upset our inner lazy person. Yet, stepping outside our comfort zone will create friction that will work as a fertilizer and function as a growth hormone.

Be aware, as soon as you step outside your comfort zone to make a slight change or a big one, all your doubts will come to meet you, wrote Levoy.

Beware, overtime comfort can turn to complacency, wrote Cherry.

The Neurolaunch editorial team described the comfort zone as an invisible force field that protects and confines. Each of us carries this force field within our minds. It is simple and profound noted Neurolaunch editorial team. It influences our personal growth and well-being.

Another writer described the comfort zone as a sweet spot, a place that is waiting for you when you need it.

At its core, the comfort zone is a psychological state where things feel familiar, safe, and easy to control, wrote the Neurolaunch editorial team.

In recent years, psychologists have expanded the concept of comfort zone to include two new zones: growth zone and panic zone. With this new definition, we can explore what growth could be like. It is a place of opportunity. It is worth exploring.

I am comfortable speaking in front of people and presenting. Through experience, I have gained confidence to do so. Yet I would rather stay inside my comfort zone if someone asked me to attend a business social. Panic can set in. I would hug the door of my comfort zone for my dear life. I strongly dislike small talk. There is often no room or time to dive into deeper topics. Besides most of the time, it is loud and you can barely hear what the person beside you is saying.

When we are in our comfort zones, the brain’s reward system releases good neurotransmitters like dopamine, which reinforces our desire to stay in our comfort zones.

“The amygdala, often called the brain’s fear center, plays a starring role in maintaining our comfort zones. This almond-shaped structure is constantly on the lookout for potential threats. When we are in familiar territory, the amygdala is quiet, allowing us to feel calm and in control,” according to the Neurolaunch editorial team.

Psychologist Lev Vygotsky developed a theory called Zone of Proximal Development that this sweet spot lies just beyond our current abilities, but not so far out that we would feel overwhelmed. It is described as the gap between what a learner can do with help, i.e., training wheels on a bike, and what they can do alone.

Yes, change can be scary. Do not let it hold you back. If you stick with the same routines and avoid risks and challenges, you are pausing your own progress.

Here are some suggestions for stepping out of your comfort zone.

• See where you are now. Where are the boundaries of your current comfort zone?
• Set small goals that push the cozy limits.
• Take small and incremental steps.
• Remember, you are a learner.
• Experiment. Learn from each experience, whether it went well or badly.
• Trying new things spurs creativity.
• Gradually increased difficulty.
• Ask for help and guidance. Get a support system.
• Do not get discouraged. Become resilient.
• Discover your potential.
• Focus on Progress every day, some days it big and other days small.

What are some of the benefits of stepping beyond your comfort zone?

• Learning becomes a daily adventure.
• You discover strengths and abilities that you did not know you had.
• Facing challenges head on can boost your confidence.
• You can become adaptable.
• You improve your critical thinking skills.
• Your comfort zone because of a plateau for rest and a launch pad for future success.

Stepping beyond your comfort zone does not mean you have to abandon it. It is a process to find balance between growth and comfort. You can expand your comfort zone boundary as they can open to new experiences.

Resources:

Image retrieved on 2/8/2026 from freepik.com

Cherry, MS Ed, Kendra. “How Vygotsky Defined the Zone of Proximal Development.” Updated 11/19/2025. Retrieved on 2/8/2026 from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-zone-of-proximal-development-2796034

Cherry, MS. Ed, Kendra. “It’s My Comfort Zone: Meaning, Benefits and challenges.” 10/18/2024. Retrieved on 2/3/2026 from https://www.explorepsychology.com/my-comfort-zone/

Delgado, Jennifer. Psychology Spot. “What is the Comfort Zone and what’s not?” Retrieved on 2/2/2026 from https://psychology-spot.com/comfort-zone/

Levoy, Gregg. “The Upside and the Downside of the Comfort Zone.” 9/1/2023. Retrieved on 2/2/2026 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202309/the-upside-and-the-downside-of-the-comfort-zone?msockid=24f8ebd9437164501298fedc42c365fc

Mead, Elaine. “Comfort Zones: An Alternative Perspective.” 11/19/2025. Retrieved on 2/2/2026 from https://psychcentral.com/blog/comfort-zones-an-alternative-perspective#1

Mental Health Matters. “What is a Comfort Zone?” 1/15/2025. Retrieved on 2/3/2026 from https://mental-health-matters.org/2025/01/15/what-is-a-comfort-zone/

Neurolaunch editorial team. “Comfort Zone Psychology: Exploring the Science Behind Personal Growth and Change.” 9/15/2024. Retrieved on 2/2/2026 from https://neurolaunch.com/comfort-zone-psychology/

Page, MD, Oliver. “How to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Enter Your Growth Zone.” 11/4/2020. Retrieved on 2/2/2026 from https://positivepsychology.com/comfort-zone/