Habits are behaviours that have either positive or negative effects on your life. Most people already know how damaging bad habits can be but breaking these habits is a problem for many people. The dangers of bad habits go beyond just your physical health. Your mental health is also at risk.
Some bad habits may increase your risk of anxiety and depressions. You may begin to experience low self-esteem as a result of a poor body image.
These five bad habits may be affecting your mental health negatively:
Abuse of social media
Social media abuse is one of the leading causes of depression in young people today. When young adults overexpose themselves to social media, they may begin to experience low self-esteem. Social media is a fantastic tool for staying up to date with new trends and knowing what's going on in the world or watching funny videos. However, there is a darker aspect of social media that many people may not realise.
Behavioural scientists found that a higher percentage social media users reported feelings of jealousy and inadequacy from comparing themselves with other users. Social media abuse is on the rise, and it accounts for a large number of worsening mental health cases among young adults. Social media promotes unrealistic standards of beauty and achievements, which drives people to negative thoughts and feelings.
Reducing the amount of time spent on social media is a step in the right direction.
Not getting enough sleep
Sleep is crucial to living a healthy physical and mental life because it allows your mind and body to rest. Lack of adequate sleep can affect your energy levels, mood, drive and mental health. Sometimes, it is okay to stay up late to catch your favourite TV show on weekends, but it should never become a habit to miss sleep every other day. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to anxiety and depressions, which further exacerbates sleep deprivation.
To prevent yourself from developing this bad habit, create a sleep schedule that you must adhere to. Doing so will ensure that you are getting enough rest, and you will feel motivated to engage in daily activities.
Bad eating habits
Bad eating habits can be anything from eating unhealthy junk food and overeating to eating at the wrong time. Some people go as far as starving themselves because they want to lose weight. Everyone loves to indulge in some chips and fries from time to time, and while this isn't wrong, you should limit how often you eat them.
Eating foods with a high fat and sugar content can create health problems that further affect your mental health.
There are varieties of healthy snacks rich in fibre and nutrients that you can substitute for junk food.
Spending too little time outdoors
Some people consider themselves introverts and tend to keep to themselves or go out less. While this may not be a bad thing, spending too much time indoors may be bad for your mental health. Humans are naturally social animals and need that human connection and the outdoors to breathe fresh air and enjoy some sunlight. Spending too much time indoors can make you less enthusiastic about different aspects of your life, leading to depression.
Spending time outside your home can help you to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Lack of exercise
Developing a sedentary lifestyle is not only bad for your heart but also your mental health. Regular exercise helps to enhance mood and release endorphins and other chemicals responsible for feeling good. Regular exercise helps to improve your confidence, social skills and manage stress more efficiently.
