If you add too many fish to an aquarium, the water quality suffers. Healthy nitrogen levels are difficult to maintain, and fish can become sick and die. A crowded tank fosters territorial turf battles. If there is insufficient space for fish to move freely, muscle atrophy eats away at physical growth.

Stress is one result of overcrowding and poor water quality. The cortisol spike, which accompanies constant stress, is a problem for fish just as it is for humans. A limited space may cause otherwise tolerant fish to become overly aggressive. Too many fish competing for hiding places and breeding grounds is a recipe for disaster.

When their space is limited, fish suffer a poor quality of life.

Comfort zones are just as dangerously limiting because they do not allow room for growth. Your cramped but comfortable, self-imposed limitations keep you from living a fulfilled life.

Do You Ever Envy the Achievements of Others?

Social media can have a notoriously negative effect on the human psyche. People go there to relax and entertain themselves, but anxiety, frustration, envy, and other similarly damaging feelings are often the result.

Social media influencers paint pictures of perfection. That leads many users to feel bad about their lives. Their normal comfort zone is enjoyable. It is a safe place. They don't have to strive for anything besides what they currently have.

Then, when they see others out living life fully or at least professing to do so, the cortisol spikes, and negative emotions abound. These people might not feel so envious if they regularly visit the world outside of their comfort zone.

Here are a few more considerations if you don't like pushing your boundaries.

• Growth is usually uncomfortable. If you don't move past your comfort zone, you don't grow.

• Achieving your biggest dreams is only possible by growing in some way.

• Your day becomes a dull routine, and your life lacks excitement.

• You miss out on wonderful growth opportunities and experiences in every area of your life.

• Self-imposed complacency means self-resentment, low self-esteem, and a poor self-image.

You probably don't want that kind of life, which is why you are reading this article. Push yourself, stretch your boundaries, and learn something new every day. Comfort zones are overrated unless you want to limit your life experience and growth.