Ever feel like you’re just treading water? Turns out, there’s a scientific name for that stuck-in-a-rut feeling, and our expert breaks down exactly what it means and how to move through it.

Simone Boer is a strategist, high-performance mindset coach and the author of Ultimate Brain Hacks. She helps business owners and teams unlock the science behind change, rewire their mindset and create success in their lives and businesses.

Feeling a little “meh” about life lately? You might be stuck in what psychologists call the comfort trap. Perhaps you’re coasting in a just-okay relationship or an uninspiring job. Your days feel repetitive, not bad enough to complain, but not good enough to feel fulfilled. It seems “almost fine” – and that can be the most dangerous place to be.

This pattern is explained by a concept known as the Region Beta Paradox. It shows how mildly uncomfortable situations often trap us longer than truly painful ones. Ironically, a serious crisis like a job loss or a breakup often pushes us to act, while “just okay” situations linger for years because they’re not quite bad enough to force change.

What is the Region Beta Paradox?

The Region Beta Paradox is a psychological concept describing how we may recover faster or grow more from severe experiences than from tolerable ones. Imagine you hurt your leg. A serious break gets immediate care and healing begins. A minor sprain? You limp along for weeks, never quite addressing it properly. The paradox lies in this: the worse condition prompts a quicker resolution.

In everyday life, this means we often stay in unfulfilling jobs, relationships, or routines simply because they’re “not that bad.” The discomfort doesn’t reach the threshold that would trigger a change.

Why the brain keeps you stuck

Our brains are wired for comfort and familiarity. Even if we’re unsatisfied, the known feels safer than the unknown. This is partly due to the brain’s amygdala, which activates fear in response to uncertainty. As a result, we often prefer the predictability of “meh” over the risk of change.

There’s also loss aversion at play – a bias where we fear losing what we have more than we value gaining something new. Combined, these tendencies keep us rooted in comfort zones that gradually dull our energy, creativity, and growth.

Real-life examples of the comfort trap

Relationships

You stay in a relationship that lacks spark because there are no big arguments or red flags. But you feel a low-grade dissatisfaction that never quite goes away.

Careers

The job you’re in isn’t exciting, but it pays the bills. You’re not miserable, just unmotivated – so you delay looking for something better.

Health

You feel tired and sluggish but haven’t hit a medical crisis. Without a wake-up call, the motivation to change your habits never kicks in.

Signs you’re stuck in Region Beta

Here are some signs that you’re choosing the certainty of now over a more potentially more fulfilling future:

• Telling yourself, “It’s fine”, even when you feel drained or resentful.
• Fantasising about change but always find reasons to delay.
• Using comparisons to others to justify staying put (for example, “Others have it worse”).
• Waiting for something external to force you to make a decision.

How to break free without a crisis

1. Name It – Admit that “just fine” isn’t enough. Acknowledging dissatisfaction is the first step to change.
2. Visualise the Cost – Ask yourself “if nothing changes, what will life look like in a year? Five years?”. Let that long-term view drive your urgency.
3. Reframe the Risk – Instead of fearing change, consider what you might gain. Growth requires discomfort, but the payoff is renewed purpose and energy.
4. Start Small – You don’t need to overhaul your life. Begin with micro-moves like updating your CV, joining a new class or having a new conversation. Small steps disrupt inertia.
5. Add Accountability – Set deadlines or tell a friend or coach what change you’re committing to. Making it public increases follow-through.
6. Shake Up Routine – Change your environment or habits. Novelty sparks creativity and helps break mental ruts.

You don’t need to hit rock bottom to make a change. Often, it’s the quiet, chronic “almost fine” that drains us the most. Recognising when you’re stuck in Region Beta is the key to reclaiming your momentum.

Don’t wait for a crisis. Let self-awareness be your catalyst. Comfort might feel like safety, but growth lies just outside its edges. If something in your life is no longer enough, that’s reason enough to begin.

What steps have you taken to break free of a situation that was comfortable but unfulfilling? Leave us a comment below.