The Comfort Crisis

Is the modern way of living leading to the breakdown of our physical and mental health? That’s the topic Michael Easter discusses in The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self, the book we’re exploring this week. This isn’t a standard ‘self-help’ book, but a book we believe everyone should read - it has the power to positively impact the life of the reader by opening their eyes to the disadvantages of comfort and how small changes to create and embrace discomfort can help us grow both mentally and physically.

Temperature controlled environments, fast food, sedentary office jobs and an infinite amount of ways to distract ourselves, mean we’re now more comfortable than ever. Yet, as Easter reveals, our reliance on comfort may be holding us back from real growth and fulfilment. This book is both a call to action and a practical guide, encouraging readers to challenge their comfort zones to live a more vibrant, resilient life.

In this newsletter, we’ll explore five key insights from The Comfort Crisis, along with actionable tips that will help you add healthy discomfort to your routine and reclaim a sense of purpose, health, and happiness.

In The Comfort Crisis, Easter argues that, while comfort has made life easier in many ways, it has also made us weaker, less resilient, and ultimately, less fulfilled. He combines research, anecdotes, and his personal experiences from a gruelling 33-day Alaskan wilderness adventure to explore how facing discomfort can lead to genuine growth, improved mental health, and physical fitness. Easter reveals that discomfort may hold the key to reconnecting with our natural selves in ways that modern conveniences have made us forget.

Let’s take a closer look at some of Easter’s most impactful takeaways and how they can help us lead a more fulfilled and resilient life.

✏️ 1. Modern Life Is Too Comfortable

Easter highlights that today’s society offers unprecedented levels of convenience and comfort. Things we take for granted such as air conditioning, endless entertainment, and fast food at the push of a button have only been in our lives for around 100years - 0.03% of the time humans have walked the earth (0.004% if you go back 2.5million years to include Homo Habilis). Our bodies and minds have evolved to adapt to challenging environments, and without these challenges, we can become more susceptible to issues like anxiety, depression, and physical decline.

💪🏻 Actionable Tip: Embrace physical challenges regularly. Try incorporating more physical activity into your day, even if it’s as simple as walking instead of driving for short distances, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or doing brief bouts of exercise. This can begin to replace some of the ‘hard work’ our bodies evolved to handle, improving both your mental and physical resilience.

✏️ 2. The Importance of the ‘Misogi’ Challenge

One of the most captivating concepts Easter explores is Misogi, an ancient Japanese tradition rooted in taking on a single, seemingly impossible challenge each year. These challenges should push you to your limits, forcing you out of your comfort zone and encouraging personal growth - they should be hard enough to have a 50/50 chance of success. Easter and his friends attempt a gruelling Misogi each year, where the goal isn’t about ‘winning’ but rather testing oneself against nature or one’s own limitations.

💪🏻 Actionable Tip: Set up your own annual Misogi. This challenge doesn’t have to be extreme, but it should feel intimidating and push you well beyond your comfort zone. It could be something like signing up for a physical event like a marathon, committing to a month-long project, or even a personal goal like spending several days outdoors without any technology. Pick something that requires real effort and perseverance, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from striving to achieve it - even if you don’t succeed.

✏️ 3. Nature’s Role in Building Resilience and Mental Health

Through his Alaskan adventure, Easter underscores the importance of reconnecting with nature. Studies show that spending time outdoors can lower stress, boost creativity, and improve our physical health. Nature challenges us to adapt in ways we don’t experience in urban life, enhancing our resilience and well-being. Easter advocates for regular time spent in natural settings as a way to counteract the effects of our overly comfortable, indoor, predominantly sedentary lifestyles.

💪🏻 Actionable Tip: Commit to a weekly ‘nature break’. This can be as simple as a walk in the park, a hike, or a day trip to the countryside. Leave your phone behind, or switch it off, and allow yourself to immerse fully in the natural environment. Use this time to practise mindfulness, observe your surroundings, and take a break from screens and schedules. Even short, regular interactions with nature can make a meaningful impact on your mental health and stress levels.

✏️ 4. The Value of Productive Boredom

With constant access to entertainment and technology, we rarely experience boredom anymore. Easter explains that boredom isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a mental state that can foster creativity and problem-solving. When we allow ourselves to be bored, we are forced to think, reflect, and explore new ideas. Easter suggests that productive boredom can help us break free from over-reliance on external stimulation and cultivate a healthier inner life.

💪🏻 Actionable Tip: Try a ‘digital detox’ hour each day. Put aside all devices—no TV, phone, or computer. Spend this time engaged in an activity that doesn’t rely on screens, like reading, journaling, or taking a walk. Gradually extend these ‘boredom windows’ and see if you can find value in the silence and simplicity. You may notice yourself becoming more reflective, creative, and better able to manage your thoughts without relying on technology as a distraction.

✏️ 5. Discomfort Builds Mental Strength

A central theme in The Comfort Crisis is that discomfort strengthens our mental resilience, teaching us to handle stress, uncertainty, and even fear. When we regularly face uncomfortable situations—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—we are better equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges. Easter notes that avoiding discomfort at all costs can actually make us more anxious, as we never develop the skills to manage adversity.

💪🏻 Actionable Tip: Practise small, daily acts of discomfort. This could be anything from taking a cold shower, setting boundaries with others, fasting intermittently, or engaging in public speaking. These small acts of discomfort can build mental resilience, teaching you that discomfort is temporary and often manageable. Over time, this can help reduce anxiety and make you more adaptable to the unknown.

Michael Easter’s The Comfort Crisis is an eye-opening look at how the pursuit of comfort has limited our potential for growth and fulfilment. By embracing discomfort, challenging ourselves, and reconnecting with nature, we can reclaim a sense of purpose, resilience, and well-being. These small changes in mindset and behaviour can ultimately lead to a richer, more balanced life.

In a world that celebrates convenience and ease, let’s challenge ourselves to break the mould. By taking on meaningful discomfort, we can not only live healthier lives but also find a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Remember, true growth often lies on the other side of discomfort.

Until next time, stay thriving!

Beck
Team Thrive in Five