Make sure quick stress relief doesn’t turn into problematic habits

Whether you’re the sort to have a smoke after a meal or might skip one too many days at the gym, these little choices can develop into bad habits. It might seem innocent at the start, but these choices can take a terrible toll on your body. It’s important to take the time to reflect on your daily habits and figure out which ones are interrupting your mental and physical health.

Change the People You’re Around

Nowadays, you’re expected to be tough and thick-skinned. Unfortunately, this societal expectation often leads to you putting up with people who bring a lot of negativity to your life. You know the type — The people who always have a counterargument to your ideas and love playing “devil’s advocate”. It can be mentally exhausting to deal with the constant stream of naysayers and brutish jokes. It’s better for your mental health to surround yourself with people who support you and your goals. A good friend doesn’t just point out your flaws but offers constructive feedback alongside it.

Break Away from Addictions

Due to stress and boredom, you might have taken up a habit you just can’t quit. This could be something socially acceptable like a caffeine or nicotine addiction, or you might have a problem with substance abuse. The important thing is recognizing the problem and getting the help you need. There is a stigma attached to men who admit to needing help, as if it’s a weakness, but that’s outdated thinking.

Don’t Watch Too Much TV

Enjoying a show or movie might seem like a harmless thing to do, but there can be consequences. The time you spend watching TV takes away from time you could allot to the gym, socializing, or productivity. TV acceptable in moderation, but using it as an endless distraction and deteriorate your physical health quickly. A simple solution to this is following the 2/30 rule. Make sure you don’t watch more than 2 hours of TV a day, and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise in. A fitter body will also sharpen your mind, which can help you in your professional and personal life.

Stop Bad Spending Habits

You might be the sort to use shopping to fill the void of boredom in your life. This could apply to new clothes, eating out, or investing too much money in a simple hobby. It’s common for people to get a rush of excitement when they buy something new, but depending on that false sense of fulfillment can lead to financial ruin. The stress from financial mismanagement can lead to high blood pressure, ulcers, insomnia, eating disorders, lowered immunity and more. One simple habit of overspending can snowball into a variety of negative effects on your financial and personal stability. You can start counteracting this habit by creating a monthly budget, using debit cards instead of credit cars, and automating your bank to transfer some money from your checking into your savings account each month.

Avoid Bad Eating Habits

When you don’t keep a balance in your life — like spending too much time working — your eating habits often suffer. People who live a busy life tend to opt for junk food instead of making a healthy, home-cooked meal. While fast food is easy and convenient, it is also terrible for both your wallet and your waistline. Making a permanent change to healthier eating habits can take time, but the difference in your health is noticeable. Good food can help you slim down, improve your skin and hair, and prevent heart-related diseases. Start with simple steps, like avoiding impulse eating and doing weekly meal prep. You should also switch out fizzy drinks with water and avoid too much red meat.

Stop Biting Your Nails

This might seem like a minor gripe, nail-biting is an unhygienic habit that can lead to dental issues. It can result in malocclusion of the anterior teeth, stomach problems, and deform your nails in the long run. Nail-biting is often a symptom of stress, so instead of chewing on your fingers, you would be better off figuring out why you’re stressed. Getting to the root cause of the problem will help you create a more stable life in the long run. In psychology, the James-Lange theory states that your emotional state is a result of your physiological actions. In other words, doing physical activities like nail biting can worsen your mood instead of alleviating your stress. Next time you feel like biting your nails, try to engage in different activities like going for a walk or listening to music.