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Comfort, Stretch, and Panic Zones – Levels of Comfortability and Growth

  • Hangar Accounts
  • Jan 30
  • 1 min read
Person ziplining above trees on an outdoor adventure course.

Comfort Zone


This is the zone where one feels the highest level of comfortability. You are not challenged and not experiencing a thrill or adventure in this zone. This zone is where you feel the most in control of yourself and your surroundings. This zone leaves you in a relaxed and unchallenged mental state.


Person relaxing in a grassy field with yellow wildflowers.

Stretch zone


This zone is also known as the Growth Zone. The Stretch Zone is outside of your Comfort Zone. It encourages adventure and challenge without being overwhelming or overly challenging. The Stretch Zone is the optimal zone for learning, resilience, creativity, and self-trust. This is the zone where you feel capable and empowered to evolve and grow.


Person wearing a helmet swinging from a rope on an outdoor challenge course surrounded by trees.


Panic zone


This is too far outside of your comfort zone and your capacity. When you push your Stretch Zone too far you will end up in the Panic Zone which can lead to feelings of burnout and discouragement. The Panic Zone can make participants feel frantic or anxious and make unsafe decisions. The Panic Zone can halt growth and block progress.


Group wearing helmets and life jackets white-water rafting through fast river rapids.

What is the Point?


OFY invites participants to spend time in the Stretch Zone through our variety of outdoor leadership and learning activities. OFY encourages challenges, helps grow self-trust, and develops impactful connections. OFY encourages campers to reach their Stretch Zone and experience personal growth and development without reaching the Panic Zone.


 
 
 

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