Comfort

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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,^[1][2] maintaining the presence of familiar objects,^[1] 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.^[3] 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.^[3]

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.