The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self

Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle influenced by light and darkness in the environment. Easter uses this term to discuss how modern life, with its artificial lighting and irregular schedules, disrupts these natural rhythms.

The Comfort Crisis portrays discomfort not just as a physical sensation but as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. Easter explores how modern society’s aversion to discomfort has led to a range of physical and psychological maladies. He argues that willingly facing discomfort, whether through physical challenges, exposure to nature, or fasting, can lead to enhanced resilience, mental clarity, and a deeper appreciation of life.

Energy density refers to the amount of energy (calories) per unit weight of food. Easter explores this concept to explain how modern diets, often high in energy-dense processed foods, contribute to overeating and obesity. He contrasts this with the diet of our ancestors, which was low in energy density, necessitating the consumption of larger volumes of food to meet energy requirements. The book suggests choosing foods with lower energy density as a strategy for weight management and health improvement.

Misogi is a Japanese concept traditionally involving a Shinto ritual of purification. In The Comfort Crisis, Easter reinterprets misogi as an extreme physical or mental challenge that pushes individuals to their limits. He discusses how undertaking challenges with uncertain outcomes can lead to personal transformation, increased resilience, and a sense of accomplishment.

The nature pyramid is a model akin to the food pyramid introduced by Easter to illustrate the different levels of nature exposure necessary for optimal health. The base level involves short, daily interactions with nature, while the higher levels recommend more immersive experiences in semi-wild and wild settings.

Prevalence-induced concept change is a psychological phenomenon where the reduction of a problem leads individuals to redefine what constitutes a problem. Easter discusses this in the context of “comfort creep,” suggesting that as life becomes more comfortable, people lower their thresholds for what they consider uncomfortable. This concept is used to explain why despite advancements leading to more comfortable lives, people often do not feel correspondingly happier or more satisfied.

Rucking, derived from military training, involves walking or hiking while carrying a weighted pack. Easter advocates for rucking as a form of exercise that combines cardiovascular and strength training. He notes its historical significance—how our ancestors regularly carried loads as part of their survival—and suggests rucking as a way to mimic these natural, functional movements in modern fitness routines.