Safe haven

The importance of a comfort space

By: Elliott Prehm

Everyone needs some stress relief, a place to forget the day. A warm cup of tea and your favorite songs. Having a place to sit and let all worries and stress melt away makes that a comfortable space. Many people with comfort spaces find it has many benefits mental health-wise. But what exactly makes a comfort space a comfort space?

A comfort space is different for everybody; some people find rooftops a comfort space while others find it as their bedroom. “While I’m in my room I have plenty of time to think and I can just get away from the world,” junior Kalea Manner said. A comfort space is less of what is physically in the space and more of how space makes a person feel. Lots of teens spend a ton of time in their rooms doing their everyday activities because it's the most comforting place in the house where they feel the most comfortable to be themselves, and it's where most of their possessions are.

“My cat makes my comfort space the most comfortable place in the house,” sophomore Carmen Torres said.

“A little Pikachu stuffy that a friend gave me for Christmas is one of my comfort items,” Manner said.

There are a ton of benefits to having a comfortable space like calming anxiety, overstimulation, and stress. Life is hectic and full of ups and downs, but having a place to be able to just sit down and relax really helps.

“My Comfort space would have to be my room and my great grandma's garden,” sophomore Samatha McAlister said. “I’ve always found nature comforting and a great way to get away from the world.” Lots of people find comfort by being outside and in nature going for a walk around the neighborhood, hiking, or just sitting on a park bench. Being outdoors is helpful for the mind and body. Getting out and breathing some fresh air can brighten up the day and have you feeling happier and healthier than before. In vegas, the mountains are always a good option for going hiking and get your mind off of things. The air is always crisp and fresh compared to the city air and there are lots of hiking trails to follow.

So why do people retreat to their comfort spaces?

“Sometimes I just wanna be alone and by myself,” McAlaster .

“I go there when I don’t want to socialize with the people I live with,” Torres said.

While some people go to their comfortable space to be alone others go to theirs to be with other people. Comfort spaces aren’t always at home by yourself, while some people find comfort in just themselves, others prefer people by their side when they're most comfortable. A comfort person is anyone from a childhood best friend, family member, or loved one.

“My grandma Cowley has always made me feel calm and wanted and when I’m with her she makes my life feel so much better,” Mcalister said.

A comfortable person is someone who doesn’t judge and lets you be yourself around them.

After a long day of stress sometimes all you need is to sit down and just breathe, life is difficult and there’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs so it’s nice to have a space to call yours.

Elliott Prehm // EOTT