Hi, today I want to share an interesting topic, namely "Humans tend to avoid discomfort rather than embrace it", The main reason why I chose this topic is because many people are trapped in their comfort zone, which can make them powerless in facing modern life, besides, many people refuse to get the real problems they are studying because of the side effects of staying too long in the comfort zone, Humans tend to be drawn to instant gratification due to several complex psychological and biological factors. This is common, and we all experience it in various forms.
Here are some of the main reasons why this happens:
1. Dopamine and Brain Mechanisms
Our brains have a reward system driven by a chemical called dopamine. When we do something pleasurable—like eating sweets, getting "likes" on social media, or shopping—our brains release dopamine. This dopamine release provides a short-lived feeling of satisfaction or happiness.
The problem is, our brains tend to prioritize rewards or pleasures that come quickly and reliably, over rewards that take a long time to achieve. This scenario makes it easier for us to choose actions that provide immediate satisfaction, even if we know the long-term consequences may be unfavorable.
2. Tendency to Avoid Pain and Discomfort
Humans naturally dislike discomfort, boredom, or pain. Instant gratification often serves as an easy escape to avoid these negative feelings.
* Example: When we feel bored, we immediately reach for our phones to scroll through social media. When we're stressed, we tend to reach for sweets. These two activities provide distraction and temporary satisfaction, which we perceive as better than facing the underlying issue causing our discomfort.
3. Environment and Social Influence
We live in a fast-paced era where everything is designed to provide instant gratification.
* Social media algorithms: Designed to keep us scrolling to stay updated with content we enjoy, triggering a constant release of dopamine.
* The convenience of online shopping: With just a few clicks, we can purchase the items we desire and receive immediate confirmation.
* Hedonism: A lifestyle trend that emphasizes that ultimate happiness lies in the pursuit of pleasure and material satisfaction. This is supported by social media platforms that showcase luxurious lifestyles, triggering feelings of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
4. Lack of Delayed Gratification
The ability to delay gratification, or refrain from instant gratification for greater rewards in the future, is one of the keys to long-term success. However, this ability isn't always easy to cultivate, especially amidst overwhelming temptations. People who are less accustomed to delaying gratification tend to prefer small, immediate rewards over larger ones that require waiting.
In short, humans are drawn to instant gratification due to a combination of the brain's biological mechanisms that seek dopamine, the natural desire to avoid discomfort, and a modern environment that makes access to various forms of quick gratification easier.
Teaching someone to persist in their comfort zone means training their mind to resist giving up when faced with stressful or uncertain situations.
The concept is similar to exercising a muscle—gradually apply stress, then increase it.
Here are the steps:
1. Explain the concept first.
✅Make sure the person understands that the discomfort zone is where growth occurs.
✅Use a simple analogy, for example: "It's like learning to swim; at first you panic, but over time your body learns to float."
2. Start with small discomforts.
✅Don't immediately launch into big challenges.
For example, if they're afraid of public speaking, start by speaking in front of 2-3 people.
3. Use exposure therapy.
✅Gradually expose them to uncomfortable situations, but give them time to recover before moving on to the next stage.
The goal is to build tolerance, not to break them mentally.
4. Practice positive self-talk.
Teach affirming phrases like:
✅"I can hold on for a little longer."
✅"This discomfort is temporary."
This will transform the perception of discomfort into a sign of growth, not a threat.
5. Use breathing and emotion regulation techniques
✅Teach the 4–7–8 breathing method or box breathing to calm the nervous system.
✅When the body is calm, the mind is more receptive to challenges.
6. Record progress and reflection
After facing an uncomfortable moment, have your child write down:
✅What felt difficult
✅What they overcame
✅What they will do differently next time
This builds self-awareness and confidence.
7. Celebrate resilience, not just success
✅Appreciate persistence, even if the outcome isn't perfect.
This reinforces the mentality that the process is more important than the outcome.