9 Worst Habits for Mental Health

Mental health

We all give importance to physical health. We concentrate on workouts like cardio and strength training. But we tend to forget that our mental health is also important. Healthy food keeps our bodies healthy. Likewise, healthy habits keep our mental health in good shape.

Additionally, the foods we eat impact our mental health. Consuming too much junk and a sedentary lifestyle can impact our mental health.

However, times have changed, and the world is giving equal importance to mental and physical health. Here is a list of habits that can be bad for your mental health, and if these habits are on your checklist, they might be messing with your mental health.

9 things that are bad for mental health

Having a Sedentary Lifestyle

Most of our hobbies will be Netflix and chill. But we need to realise that our hobbies can become our daily lifestyle. Being a couch potato can be cool and relaxing. But as we become sedentary, we tend to become lazy.

At some point in time, it can affect our overall health. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. Additionally, our cravings for junk can increase while having a sedentary lifestyle.

This, in turn, can lead to health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular health. Research states that a sedentary lifestyle can tremendously affect our mental health. People who spend more time sitting and lack physical exercise have a higher risk of depressive symptoms.

Tips to improve physical activity in life

Try to incorporate some form of physical activity in life. If you have to go to a nearby place, walk or use a bicycle. Instead of using an elevator, use the steps. Physical activity reduces stress and improves confidence. It also makes you happy by releasing endorphins.

Other forms of physical activity you can incorporate are yoga, cardio session and weightlifting at the gym. It isn’t necessary that you only have to hit the gym to stay fit. Dance to your favourite music, doing yoga, and brisk walking also helps improves your mood and keep you physically fit.

Spending Too Much Time on Your Phone

We all are equally addicted to our cell phones. Without the help of our phones, we cannot even wake up in the morning. Mobile phones give us various benefits like booking a cab, ordering food or ordering our favourite cosmetics. Everything is one touch from your phone.

This makes us addicted to our mobile phones. Social media is also another reason for us to use mobile phones. Social media’s purpose is to connect with people. But most of us concentrate on how we appear on social media platforms. So, we miss out on genuine in-person connections.

Studies concluded that too much time on your device can increase stress and anxiety. It affects not only teens but people of various ages. Another study states that adults who overuse social media have reported loneliness, jealousy and inadequacy.

Tips to reduce phone usage

Reduced phone usage can improve your creative skills. Try to start a new hobby that will not require your mobile phone. Have a mobile-free zone. Read a book, go for a hike or play a sport.

Eating Junk Food

Who can say no to a packet of chips, cookies or pizza? These foods can be enjoyed once in a while. But if you are chewing them continuously, then it can have an impact on your mental health.

Some people tend to munch on these foods daily, which can have negative health effects on our bodies. Research states that people who consume too much junk will impact their mental health negatively and can lead to anxiety and depression.

Tips to prevent overeating junk

Instead of snacking on junk, consume crunchy vegetables and fruits like carrots and apples. These vegetables and fruits contain natural sugars that will not cause a spike in blood glucose levels.

These foods also satisfy your sweet cravings. They are rich in fibre and prevent overeating.

Suppressing Anger and Other Strong Emotions

Some of us have mastered the art of hiding our emotions and putting up a fake smile on our faces.

However, some have learned to handle the situation and suppress their anger. Research states that suppressing anger and other emotions can impact your mental health.

When you bottle up emotions or fail to set up boundaries, you might tend to outbursts due to a small convenience.

Anger is also a strong emotion, and if you master the emotion, it is a powerful weapon.

Tips to express anger in a healthy way

Try to vent out your emotions. Do not bottle it up. Practise yoga and meditation to help calm you down and bring out the best of your character.

Other healthy ways to pour out your emotions are by writing your feeling on paper and burning it. Try to channel your anger in sports and music. When you are angry, don’t take any decision and wait till you calm down. If you are angry, count to ten; if you are very angry, count to a hundred.

Living in a Messy Environment

Living in a messy environment can cause damage to your mental health. When an individual is surrounded by clutter, it can exacerbate anxiety. Additionally, it reduces motivation, productivity and weakens decision-making skills.

Being surrounded by waste and clutter can reduce focus on important tasks. It can hold you back from living your life to the fullest.

Tips to reduce stress by de-cluttering

When your room is filled with trash, you cannot clean it all at once. Instead, you can start small. Try to concentrate on a place you want to concentrate on. Turn on your favourite music and start cleaning.

Set up a time and start cleaning. If cleaning makes you tedious, take short breaks. Try to schedule a day for cleaning. Let go of the things you never use. So, donate the things you no longer need.

Insufficient sleep

Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. Sometimes, we stay up late and watch our favourite movies and series on weekends. This practice is fine until it does not occur every day.

Not getting adequate sleep can affect your mood, and you will not have sufficient energy to do activities. It can lead to anxiety and depression.

Tips to get adequate sleep

Have a sleep schedule and stick to it. Try not to stay up even during weekends. Do not have any device around you during sleeping hours, which can interrupt your sleep cycle.

Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships can affect our mental health. In most cases, we do not notice, and most of us end up in depression. It is important to identify if there is any toxicity in your relationship and end it for your good.

A toxic relationship is filled with verbal and physical abuse, sabotage and hatred. We use social media a lot nowadays, so unfollowing toxic people on social media is also important.

Self-Sabotaging

Self-sabotaging can lead to depression and anxiety problems. It also gives a feeling of worthlessness. It initially starts when we leave work unfinished. It can lower our self-esteem and confidence.

Tips to prevent thoughts on self-sabotaging

Try to practice mindfulness and acceptance. Learn to accept failure and bounce back from it. Set up a goal and work towards it. Try to set up achievable goals, which will help boost your confidence.

People Pleasing

Every one of us wanted to be accepted and appreciated. But in some cases, it can become a habit. We tend to do things to please people. Eventually, in the process, we might end up spoiling our mental health. We will be unable to do things we like and lose our originality.

Conclusion

Our habits can affect our mental health. In most cases, we will not know these habits are deteriorating our health. If you think there is something that affects your mental health. Try to check your routine.

Also, remember that you can get help, and there is no shame in getting help. The first step to getting help is by talking to your loved ones.