Energy, Stress and comfort zone

The third model which could describe the human comfort zone (a mental conditioning) is a 3D atomic structure. In this model our beliefs and habits, like electrons, shape our comfort zone configurations.  Whenever we try to step out of  our boundaries and  experience somewhere out of the  comfort zone, the 3D model will change  from one configuration to another. This change will release the energy which we used to keep our mental boundaries.

 In atomic physics this emission of  a quantum of energy, is in the form of a photon, of light! This  light is created by the release of energy from an excited atom.  To excite an atom, charged particles increase the energy of an atom, while simultaneously decreasing its stability.

In the same way, our mind seeks for the stability of its comfort zone by avoiding any excitement. Because getting out of the comfort zone causes uncomfortably   and anxiety.  We all love to keep the (seeming) stable situation to avoid the stress of confronting the unknowns, even if it takes lots of energy.

 

 The older and stronger our beliefs/habits (our core patterns) are, the more energy would be released.

The transformation is moving from the structured  known  state to a new unknown  state. After a short period the new structure will be formed to keep the  orbital stable. That's when our new habits/beliefs are being formed and again we could feel safe in our new comfort zone.

So, we need to deal with some level of stress (when we get at the excited state) to change our comfort zone. But is stress always a bad thing? How sure we could be that we'll never face any stress from outside of our comfort zone?

Studies show that there is a direct relation between the human performance and the level of pressure. Although, the long term enormous stress  could lead us to a 'burn out' state but we need a certain level of arousal to reach our optimal performance (Yerkes–Dodson law).

 

 

 While we are staying in our (seeming) stable comfort zone, we are trying to be at the 'Stage 1' of the stress-performance curve. We are experiencing the safe, known mental/ emotional states and performing our ordinary tasks and habits (more automatically and unconscious).  By choosing to step out of our comfort zone and dealing with the excitement/ fears/ anxiety of the unknowns, we'll enter to the 'Stage 2'.

At this stage our body starts increasing the circulation levels of Glucocorticoids (GC  - the stress hormones) to reach our optimum  level of cognitive performance. It's astonishing that some examples of the situations which could have such body stress response are: novel, unpredictable,  not controllable or  social evaluative threat (negative social evaluation possibly leading to social rejection).

So, next time when you are stepping out of your comfort zone (even by a simple act like smiling to a stranger) remember that such stress won't kill you, unlike it would certainly enhanced your body and mind performance (esp. your memory which will keep it for a while)!!