During a summer adventure called Project Courage, I learned that we each have three zones of comfort: the Comfort Zone, the Learning Zone and the Panic Zone. For example, when you have different experiences, you feel different emotions and experience one or more of these zones. The zones differ between people, but I wrote this article to give you a general idea of what they are and how to define them.

• Comfort Zone
• Learning Zone
• Panic Zone

Comfort Zone

Your Comfort Zone is generally where you feel comfortable and safe. You might commonly be in the Comfort Zone when you are at home, with your friends or in any place where you feel safe and calm, and do not have any challenges that make you uncomfortable.
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Learning Zone

As the name says, in your Learning Zone, you are learning. This can be a little frightening or unsettling, but does not make you feel at the point of panic. You are trying new things, which you may or may not enjoy. The things you are learning may be good or bad. School or other classes you take are places that might count as Learning Zones.
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Panic Zone

In your Panic Zone, you are usually edgy and scared. You might freeze up, or just have the feeling that something is wrong, but the overall effect is that you are uncomfortable. You might enter your Panic Zone when you are doing something that seems very difficult or dangerous, such as rock climbing. If you enter your Panic Zone, it is a good idea to leave where you are or stop the activity you are doing.

All three levels are important in helping you understand where you feel safe, or where you feel uncomfortable. Learning where your Comfort Zone is may help you relax more there.
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