6 Habits to Avoid to Maintain Good Mental Health

Where our bodies are concerned, there are certain habits that we know can be harmful to us. For example, we understand the negative effects of consuming too much junk food. We know that overeating and lack of exercise can cause obesity which then leads to all other sorts of physical health issues. We know that smoking cigarettes can cause cancer. We know that not getting an appropriate amount of sleep can lead to exhaustion and a break down of our immunities.

However, in matters of the mind and mental health, we seem to be lacking some of the same knowledge. But just as we all have a state of physical health, we also exist in a certain state of mental health as well. And just as our physical health is affected by our habits and the world around us, so, too is our mental health. Every action we take and every decision we make has an impact on our mind and our state of mental well being. Basically, everything we do has a consequence whether it be good or bad. For those suffering from anxiety, the website Rolling Paper offers a useful online guide to fighting anxiety using natural methods. To avoid the bad consequences that can take a toll on your mental health, there are six habits or activities that you should avoid.

1. Hiding Inside All Day

Existing predominantly in a state of isolation from contact with other people is not a healthy habit. While we all feel like hibernating and hiding away every now and then, it is not conducive to good mental health to spend consecutive days, weeks, or months, alone in your house. Segregating yourself from others not only limits social interaction, but it also deprives you of the natural benefits of fresh air and sunlight. Even when you are feeling like you want to avoid contact with people, you should still venture outside at least once a day to breathe in the fresh air and absorb the healthy vitamins that come from exposure to natural sunlight. This is especially important for people who work at home and spend most of their days inside. Take short breaks to catch some fresh air. It will make a world of difference in your state of mental wellness.  

2. Living in a Messy House

Even though most people find cleaning house an unpleasant chore, it is still a necessary burden that we all must endure. If you procrastinate on the basic maintenance of a clean and orderly home, the mess will grow bigger until the amount of work required to clean it can become overwhelming. This can lead to a lot of stress. It is a natural reaction for many of us to feel weighed down by clutter, both emotionally and physically, making it an important habit to periodically purge your home. By clearing out the unnecessary things that take up valuable space in your house, you free yourself of damaging clutter and are able to create a more relaxing and happier environment within your home.

3. Ditching Your Workout Plans

Exercise helps us maintain physical fitness, but it also vastly improves our mental health. This is one of the best reasons to add exercise into your daily routine. Most health professionals recommend at least thirty minutes of exercise each day. If you are planning to increase the amount of physical activity in your daily routine, it is helpful to set clear goals and intentions. In creating a new exercise plan, a smart goals worksheet would be valuable. Without definite exercise goals, it may be tempting to skip your daily workout on occasion which could end up with you ditching your workout regimen completely.

4. Sleeping in on Weekends

While maintaining a steady level of daily physical activity is important, you must also ensure that you are getting adequate rest. This does not mean, however, that you should sleep as much as you can whenever you can. Sticking to a regular sleep routine even on the weekends is beneficial in maintaining structure which supports good mental health. Sleeping in on weekends to make up for a lack of sleep during the week actually has a counterintuitive effect, making you feel even more tired than you were during the week. When you upset a regulated sleep schedule in this way, it offsets your circadian rhythm which does more harm than good. You should adhere to the same bedtime hours every day of the week.

5. Depending Heavily on Alcohol

Many people enjoy a glass of wine or a beer at the end of a long day to help them unwind, relax, and destress. However, when you begin to rely on alcohol as a method of coping with daily life stressors, it can quickly lead to dependency. You will build a tolerance to the alcohol and will soon discover that you need to consume more and more in order to obtain the desired effects. The consequence of this habit is that the overconsumption of alcohol begins to have a depressive impact on your mood and can result in poor sleep habits as well. The consumption of alcohol in this manner can also lead to other bad habits such as drug use and drug addiction. If you fear this could be a path you might go down, it would be wise to surround yourself with people who care for you and who will not enable this kind of behavior. Furthermore, visiting an ibogaine clinic can help to treat addictions of varying kinds.

I rarely consume alcohol anymore as a way to decompress after a long day. Instead I find the benefits of products like Blessed CBD to be much more effective and healthier than the overconsumption of alcohol. If you need something a little stronger than what CBD offers, THC products are another option. Click here to see where can you purchase delta 8 THC.

6. Refusing to Seek Help

Many people struggle with the idea of reaching out to others for help. However, it is probably one of the most important things you can to find your way back to mental wellness if you feel yourself falling into a depression. Asking for the help you need is never wrong and it should never elicit a feeling of shame. In fact, it is an incredibly brave and sensible thing to do, no matter how off putting it may feel. Struggling alone through life in a state of poor mental health will only contribute to the worsening of the issues. If you reach out and speak to a professional, you can receive objective feedback and learn other helpful coping mechanisms to help you return to a mentally healthy state. There are a multitude of effective treatment options available which basically any health care provider can recommend based on your specific needs. 

It is immensely important in the interest of living your best life to consider your mental health as important as your physical health. Poor mental health can quickly lead to serious physical ailments as well. Take great care of yourself because this is the only life you get.

What activities do you include in your daily routine to maintain mental wellness? What types of things do you avoid to stay on the healthy track?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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