Comfort

Comfort is a state of physical or psychological ease, often characterized by the absence of hardship. Individuals experiencing a lack of comfort are typically described as uncomfortable or in discomfort. A degree of psychological comfort can be achieved by recreating experiences that are associated with pleasant memories, such as engaging in familiar activities, maintaining the presence of familiar objects, and consumption of comfort foods. Comfort is a particular concern in health care, as providing comfort to the sick and injured is one goal of healthcare, and can facilitate recovery. The phrase "comfort zone" is sometimes used to describe a psychological state associated with perceived safety and familiarity. Because of the personal nature of positive associations, psychological comfort is highly subjective. As a verb, "to comfort" generally denotes the act of providing relief to someone in pain, distress, or sorrow. Where the term is used to describe the support given to someone who has experienced a tragedy, the word is synonymous with consolation or solace. More broadly, comfort may also refer to the enhancement of a person's state of ease in the absence of explicit discomfort. For example, while sitting in a chair may not cause discomfort, the addition of a pillow can increase a person’s perceived physical comfort.