Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone & Step Away From Anxiety
- Corrin Van Lanen
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 3
When it comes to personal growth, it is often heard, "Step out of your comfort zone." But what exactly does this mean, and how can moving from the comfort zone to the unknown improve your mental health?
Understanding the Zones
- Comfort Zone: This is where your decisions and behaviors are like a pattern that minimizes stress and risk. It feels safe, but it also tends to be stagnant. It's like a cozy blanket—we love being wrapped in it, but sometimes we need to get up and move.
-Â Fear Zone: This is the zone where you may start to experience the anxiety of leaving your comfort zone, or the unknown. Worry and second-guessing kick in, and it is often accompanied by thoughts of stepping back into your comfort zone, leading to a sense of doubt.Â
- Learning Zone: Breaking through the fear leads you to the learning zone, where you encounter new challenges and develop new skills. This is where growth starts to happen—your past patterns, abilities, and new coping mechanisms are all stretched.
- Growth Zone:Â This is where you may start reaching your goals. Progress is being made, purposes are discovered, and significant breakthroughs happen. Here, you find that you can deal with life's challenges more regulated & resiliently.
The Connection to Mental Health : Reduced Anxiety
Sticking to the comfort zone can create a narrow view of the world, making you anxious about even small changes. When you step into the learning and growth zones, you expose yourself to new experiences and challenges. Over time, this helps reduce overall anxiety since you're training your brain to adapt and cope with new situations.
At Best Self Counseling Center, we're here to help you build, change and grow as you move away from your comfort zone. Keeping in mind that the ‘fear’ zone is part of the process! Welcome to growing!