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Are your habits interfering with your mental health?
We ALL have bad habits, while some are easier to recognize than others, like biting your nails or eating too much junk food. Other bad habits might go unrecognized and have serious effects on your mental health, without you even really realizing.
In this post we will cover 10 of the worst habits for your mental health, so you can recognize any that you might have overlooked and change them!
You really can create a life that you love, and live life on your own terms, the first step is to take control.
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. These tips come from my own thoughts, research and experiences. Do not take this as medical advice, and see a health care professional if you require medical or mental health care.
1. Comparison
When we compare ourselves to others, we are robbing ourselves of the joy of being ourselves.
If you’re constantly comparing yourself to other people, whether it be in ability, looks, what they have, you are taking away from the enjoyment of what you have to offer the world and the beautiful things in your life.
Learn to admire others but not compare your life journey to theirs.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
theodore roosevelt
2. Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the need to look or be “perfect” in all areas.
Sure, it’s great to have high standards, but perfectionism can have a nasty side too.
Often nothing will be good enough which can lead to disappointment, anxiety, procrastination.
NO ONE IS PERFECT. You might know some people who seem “perfect”. I promise you they’re not, and they likely don’t feel perfect either.
3. Overthinking
Overthinking can be exhausting and lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Second-guessing everything, thinking about what you should have done differently, and imagining different scenarios are all ways people overthink.
How to stop overthinking:
-Remember thoughts are not facts
-Distract yourself from the thoughts with something you enjoy
-Clear your mind by writing your worries down
-Ask yourself if you can change what you are overthinking about?
4. Negativity
What you focus on grows in your mind. If you’re always thinking negative, you will see more negative in the world.
Life can throw you some crap sometimes, but try to find the positive and don’t overlook the good little things in life.
“I knew a woman who went about bragging of her troubles, so, of course, she always had something to brag about.”
FLOrence Scovel Shinn
5. Anger
Feeling anger often or holding onto anger is not only bad for your mental well-being but has physical effects on your body. Mental signs of anger can feel like tension, irritability, feeling resentful, and feeling nervous and unable to relax.
Physical effects of anger on the body can look like:
-tense muscles
-increased heart rate
-pounding head
-sweatiness
Obviously anger is a natural emotion that humans experience, but when it isn’t managed in a healthy way it becomes an issue.
6. Chronic stress
Yale Medicine defines chronic stress as “a consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.”
Chronic stress seems to be the “norm” these days. Between the current events, work stress, financial stress or the stress to fit in. We are constantly under some sort of pressure.
Symptoms of chronic stress:
-aches and body pains
-issues with sleep (either insomnia or fatigue)
-changes in social behaviour, like staying in all the time when you used to socialize
-Low energy
Although we are all under some sort of stress in our lives, you can help relieve some of these pressures by:
-making time to relax and practice self-care
-set realistic goals
-don’t overwhelm yourself
-learn to say no
-building some stress management skills for when the stress is unavoidable
7. Social Media/Technology Addiction
Being glued to your phone and social media is hazardous to your mental health. The constant comparison, fake images, pressures can be too much to handle.
Make sure you take a step back, put down your phone and go outside. Enjoy the real world once in a while and remember the majority of what you see on social media is not real, or not as it appears.
Practise mindfulness and meditation to bring you back into the present moment.
8. Poor sleeping habits
Hustle culture and the push for everyone to be a go-getter, means alot of people don’t get enough sleep. Poor sleeping habits can wreak havoc on your body and your mind.
Set a sleep schedule, turn off technology before bedtime and try to commit yourself to getting a good, restful sleep each night.
9. Procrastination
Procrastination is deadly to goals and growth . Trust me, I know first hand.
The endless cycle of putting things off, then stressing about it and often getting nothing accomplished is exhausting.
There is research to suggest that chronic procrastination stems from an emotional regulation issue. Maybe you feel like you aren’t capable, or something will go wrong.
If you’re dealing with constant procrastination it might be helpful to figure out what limiting beliefs could be causing this.
Try time blocking your schedule or setting a timer and working in intervals.
10. Staying in toxic relationships
This one is tough because toxic relationships come in many forms. It could be a parent, a relative, a romantic partner, even a “best” friend.
Some of the signs of a toxic relationship:
-Lack of or poor communication (toxic communication eg. passive aggressive comments)
-Judgement
-Controlling
-Dishonesty
-Lack of trust
You might feel obligated to stay in these toxic relationships, especially if it’s a family member. I suggest if you feel like you’re stuck in a toxic relationship you talk to a counsellor for some ideas on how to communicate and create boundaries with this person.
Try to be understanding, many people behave the way they do because it’s all they’ve known in their lives. If it’s something you can work on, great! If it’s something you can’t, you need to take care of and respect yourself.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of the 10 worst habits for mental health was helpful. What habits on the list are you going to try to eliminate from your life? Share this article if you found it helpful or interesting!
Related Posts:
21 Positive Habits for Mental Health
Journal Prompts for Mental Health
How to Stop Thinking About The Past
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