Cushioning

Cushioning refers to the practice of providing an extra layer of safety or protection in various contexts. It can apply to physical products, like sports shoes designed to absorb shock and reduce impact on the feet, or to financial strategies that create a buffer against losses. In psychology, cushioning can describe behaviors intended to soften emotional blows, like preparing for bad news by lowering expectations. Overall, cushioning is about creating a safeguard or comfort zone to help mitigate risk or reduce harm in different situations.