Mental health can be impacted in many ways. You’ve probably read several articles about the negative impact of a poor diet and lack of physical activity on your mental health. But you’ll be surprised to know how many ‘common’ daily habits could damage your mental health, even if you exercise regularly and eat healthily. These habits can easily increase your risk of depression, leave you stressed out every day, or even cause you to feel more anxious. So while you stick to your fitness routine and healthy food menu, ensure that these habits have no place in your daily life.
1. Information overload
The sheer volume of emails, online research, social media conversations, text messages, online notifications, social media feeds, news, and updates, can be overwhelming for the brain. And this can cause information overload, leading to the brain being over-stimulated unnecessarily. When not managed properly, such information overload can stress you out and affect your decision-making. That’s why taking regular breaks from social media, work, and any other source of information overload is important.
2. Not helping others
There is a neural link between generosity and happiness, which increases happiness. Although you may like to focus only on yourself and not bother about other people’s issues, you don’t want to deprive yourself of the happiness and fulfilment you can get from helping others. Helping others here does not necessarily require you to be a millionaire first. You can find a cause you believe in and help in a small way. For example, if you believe in gender equality, you can donate to an organization that supports that cause.
3. Spending too much time in the dark
Some people prefer to spend their days indoors, curtains drawn and windows closed for long hours. However, staying in the dark too much can damage your brain. Believe it or not, your brain function can slow down if you don’t get enough natural light. Plus, you may end up depressed. Some research also shows that sunlight plays a huge role in keeping the brain working properly, and a lack of it can affect your mental health. Spending a few minutes each day in sunlight can improve your mood and mental health.
4. Negative thinking
Having negative thoughts every day can damage your brain. Constantly stressing over daily issues, worrying, complaining, and so on can take its toll on your brain and increase your chances of brain-related issues like dementia. Research shows that people who nurse negative thoughts too often have more amyloid and tau deposits in their brains, which are key indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Although it may sometimes be easier said than done, it’s important to find ways to embrace positivity and always look on the brighter side. You can start by speaking positive words daily and surrounding yourself with positive people.
5. Poor posture
Poor posture isn’t a problem for the elderly alone. More and more younger people, especially those working from home, experience it. Working from a makeshift home office, on the bed, from the sofa, or even in the kitchen often causes people to sit in very unhealthy positions wreaking havoc on their posture. Poor posture has been linked to poor mood, depression, fatigue, and poor self-image, to mention a few.
Knowing these habits can help you avoid them to protect your brain and mental health.