Teenagers are constantly stressed with academics, extracurriculars, and maintaining an active social life. It’s hard to find a safe space in which they can feel comfortable and at ease without the anxiety of everyday life. As a result of increasing stress, these teens have resorted to “comfort zones,” that significantly resemble their childhood. Most of these activities are linked to fond memories of childhood when life wasn’t so stressful. 

A prime example of a comfort zone is rewatching childhood TV shows. The simplicity and directness of the shows provide a sense of calmness that other productions don’t. Each episode follows the same plot and every issue is always resolved by the end. Unlike newfound teen dramas where the storyline is complicated and dilemmas are left open-ended. 

Among teenagers, Bluey and Peppa Pig have become popular children’s shows to watch to find comfort in.

Emily Melman, a fellow reporter for The Eagle’s Cry, says, “My comfort show would have to be Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” These shows do not require any additional higher-level thinking, which gives the teenage brain a break from an overwhelming week of school. 

Another way that people find comfort is in food. Eating foods that comforted us as children brings a newfound sense of comfort to our lives now. Some find that the nostalgic taste of mac & cheese or chicken nuggets brings a feeling of comfort from childhood. Like the memory of coming home from running outside all day and having dino chicken nuggets waiting for you at dinner. Or when it was socially acceptable to go to a restaurant and order the chicken tenders from the children’s menu, which came with the waxy crayons that inevitably broke. 

Even activities like coloring in a coloring book or doing a paint by numbers can be stress relieving. Coloring relaxes the center of the brain, the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional responses. Sometimes after a long hard day, all you need is to sit down and color.

Gianna Buto, a senior at BHS, explains, “I like expressing myself and being reckless in a safe way while creating art.” Especially color or paint by numbers because it takes away any decision-making for what color to use; it does it for you already. 

Reverting back to old comfort zones allows students to reminisce on a time period in their lives when they lived stress-free. Amidst the daily chores students have to complete being able to enter a zone of serenity and peace is necessary to prevent them from burning out. The return of childhood comfort zones gives teens a break from everyday life and an opportunity to relax with no expectations.