Comfort Crisis

Most of us live in climate controlled homes, drive everywhere, sit a lot, and reach for food and screens whenever we feel uncomfortable. Life feels easier, yet stress, pain, and fatigue seem to be going up, not down.

That tension sits at the heart of Michael Easter’s book “The Comfort Crisis.” He argues that our bodies and brains evolved for a life with effort, hunger, cold, heat, long walks, and real challenge. Now those stresses are rare. The result is stiffness, low mood, loss of fitness, and a sense that something important is missing.

This idea lines up with what we see in practice every day. Spines that do not move enough. Muscles that switch off too quickly. Nervous systems that feel stuck in “on” mode.

The problem with too much comfort

Easter describes “comfort creep.” Each year we engineer a little more effort out of daily life. More deliveries. Less walking. More time indoors. More instant entertainment. Over time, this leaves you less prepared for any physical or emotional stress.

From a chiropractic point of view, that also means:

• Less healthy loading through your joints

• Weaker postural muscles

• Less input into your brain from movement, which influences balance, focus, and mood

  
  

Your body expects a certain amount of movement, effort, and “good stress.” Without it, things tend to tighten, ache, and lose resilience.

What is a “Misogi” and why it matters

In the book, Easter describes a 33 day trip into the Alaskan wilderness on a caribou hunt. It is cold, physical, and uncomfortable. He calls this a modern “Misogi” based on a Japanese idea of a rare, big challenge with a real chance of failure.

You do not need to disappear to Alaska. The useful message is this:

Once in a while, one serious challenge resets what you believe you are capable of. After that, daily life feels easier.

For you, that might look like training for a charity walk, a long hike, learning to ocean swim, or signing up for a strength goal in the gym. The details matter less than the fact that it feels big and a bit scary, yet still safe and sensible for your health.

“Good stress” instead of no stress

Easter talks about “hormesis.” Small doses of stress prompt your body to repair and adapt so you come back stronger. Too much stress is harmful. Zero stress is also harmful. The sweet spot sits in the middle.

In daily life, examples include:

• A brisk hill walk that leaves you puffing

• Lifting weights with good technique

• A cool finish to your shower

• Leaving a longer gap between meals instead of constant snacking, if this suits your health and medicines

  
  

These short stresses trigger your body to respond. Stronger muscles. Better blood sugar control. More confidence in your own capacity.

If you have medical conditions or take regular medicines, speak with your GP before you change your eating pattern or start harder exercise.

Nature and boredom are not problems

A big part of “The Comfort Crisis” involves long days outside with no phone, no streaming, and no easy distractions. Boredom appears. Then, after a while, your brain settles. Ideas arrive. Worry settles down.

Time in nature links with:

• Better mood

• Lower stress hormones

• Improved attention and working memory

You do not need an Arctic trip. You might:

• Walk in the bush or along the harbour with your phone on silent and tucked away

• Sit in a park for ten minutes and simply watch what is in front of you

• Do one weekly walk with no headphones and no screen time bookending it

  
  

Your spine and nervous system love variety. Uneven surfaces, fresh air, changing light, and natural obstacles feed rich information into your brain.

What this means for your spine and nervous system

As chiropractors, we focus on how your body responds to load and movement. Adjustments help restore movement and improve the way your nervous system processes information from your joints and muscles. Pair that with the ideas in “The Comfort Crisis” and you start to build a healthier base.

Think in three layers:

1. Restore movement

Regular chiropractic care, specific exercises, and daily walking help free stiff segments and wake up lazy muscles.

2. Add small doses of challenge

Rather than avoiding all effort, you introduce it in controlled ways. Slightly longer walks. A gentle hill. A light backpack on your stroll once your spine is ready. An extra repetition on your strength work. Over time your tissues remodel and your confidence grows.

3. Plan one bigger challenge

Pick something that feels meaningful and slightly intimidating. A long walk for charity. A multi day hiking trip with family. A fun run. A cycle event. We help you prepare your body so it handles that load safely.

Facing discomfort also changes how you relate to aches and niggles. Instead of seeing all discomfort as danger, you start to read your body with more nuance. “This feels hard” does not automatically equal “this is harming me.” That distinction is powerful.

A word on meaning and priorities

Easter also visits Bhutan and explores their focus on happiness and regular reflection on death. The message is not gloomy. It is simple. Life is finite, so where you place your effort matters.

When you add a bit more healthy discomfort into life, you often notice:

• You value time with family and friends more

• You feel more grateful for simple comfort at the end of a hard day

• You gain a clearer reason for looking after your health long term

That aligns with our goal in practice. Not only less pain. A larger, more engaged life.

How to get started

If this feels interesting but you are unsure where to begin, start small:

• Add one extra walk each week, slightly longer or hillier than usual

• Choose one simple “rule” such as stairs instead of lifts for trips under three floors

• Plan one tech free outing in nature this week

  
  

During your next visit, mention any challenge you want to take on. We are happy to help you test your movement, check your spine and nervous system, and build a plan that respects your current health.

Comfort feels pleasant in the moment. The sweet spot appears when you feel strong enough, mobile enough, and resilient enough to handle some healthy discomfort. That is where bodies thrive and where life feels more alive.

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Dr Mark has a special interest in helping recreational athletes of all ages perform better and prevent injury. Correct breathing and postural alignment are critical for top performance and injury prevention and is an integral part of “The Over 40 Athlete System” that Mark has developed.

Dr Julie has a special interest in helping mothers and “mothers to be”. Her Post Graduate qualifications in Paediatric Chiropractic and as an ex-midwife give her a unique ability to help pregnant women, new mums and their young children.

Yours in Health,

Dr's Mark & Julie