We are aware that certain behaviors are undoubtedly harmful to our health. Consider the detrimental effects of binge drinking, smoking, or eating unhealthy food, which include cancer, obesity, diabetes, and a plethora of other health issues. However, did you realize that a variety of other daily routines might negatively impact your quality of life? And let's face it, the majority of us frequently commit these small errors in our day-to-day activities.
It may take months or even years to become aware of the negative impacts of some of these habits because they are not always simple to identify. But trust us when we say that over time they can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health. Let's count the number of these harmful behaviors you possess.
Reliving tense situations
Given our busy schedules and constant barrage of information from the digital world, stress is thought to be the leading cause of modern-day proxy death. However, dwelling on regrettable past experiences, whether they took place five years ago or more recently, is probably the simplest way to subject yourself to unneeded stress.
Repeatedly talking about these recollections will only have a negative effect on your mental health. According to a study, people are more prone to experience depression the longer they dwell on a traumatic past occurrence. People who think ahead and don't dwell on painful memories, on the other hand, tend to be happier and more driven in life.
Why waste your energy on things you no longer have any control over if there is no value in repeating them? Instead, make a commitment to undertaking more useful tasks and making future plans, which will prevent you from amassing more regrets.
Communication with Friends:
People usually talk to friends or family members about their difficulties after having a difficult day. According to a 2011 study from Hormones and Behavior, this persistent complaining and exchanging of unpleasant feelings is associated with a higher risk of sadness and pessimism.
Researchers discovered that women who co-ruminated about their issues had higher levels of the stress hormone in their bodies than those who maintained more good relationships with their peers. Furthermore, complaining to a friend isn't exactly a good way to let out unpleasant feelings; rather, doing so merely makes the feelings worse over time and keeps you down.
Self-Criticizing
The majority of us are occasionally guilty of being too harsh on ourselves, but this tendency may quickly develop into other mental health problems like despair and anxiety, especially if you are continuously putting yourself down or believing that you are unworthy.
Do you criticize each and every imperfection you notice when you glance in the mirror? Do you punish yourself for every error you make? Before it starts to affect your psychological health, it's crucial to break this harmful habit. Consider developing your self-compassion more, which has been shown to improve not only your relationship with yourself but also those around you.
Use of social media in excess
Our lives have become so dependent on social media that many of us find it impossible to imagine living without it. Therefore, using virtual apps excessively can harm your mental health, whether you enjoy talking with friends on Facebook or posting photographs on Instagram. Being well-known on social media may result from having hundreds or thousands of followers on these platforms, but if you've overindulged in the virtual world, you'll feel lonely in the actual world.
Spending more time physically engaging with others will help you build stronger relationships with them and feel less alone than focusing all of your efforts on social media.
Staying up later than you should
Not simply how much sleep you receive matters, but also when. Most of us are guilty of putting off going to bed due to work or other obligations, but studies have shown that those who stay up late have a difficult time getting motivated and energized in the morning to make good choices.
According to a 2016 study, those who stayed up later had a higher likelihood of experiencing late-night cravings and indulging in unhealthy foods as a result. Your waistline may suffer as a result of this and a lack of exercise.
