If you regularly feel unhappy, physically tired or emotionally drained, it's time to reevaluate some of the choices you make on a daily basis. More than likely, you adopted some unhealthy behaviors that contribute to these negative feelings. For the sake of your mental health, you must make some changes fast. Review this list of unhealthy behaviors, and do your best to eliminate them from your life as quickly as possible.
1. Little or No Physical Activity
If you spend the majority of each day sitting behind a desk or in front of a screen, your muscles eventually become tight and tense, and simple tasks, such as climbing a single flight of stairs or walking to your car, become difficult. The inability to move around freely and effortlessly can drain your physical and mental energy. Lack of movement also prevents your blood from effectively carrying nutrients to your brain and throughout your body, leaving you feeling lethargic and mentally drained. Make time to exercise at least a few times each week and move about regularly throughout the day to eliminate this unhealthy behavior from your life.
2. No Regular Sleep Routine
According to some studies, insufficient sleep or the lack of a regular sleep routine can have a negative impact on a person's health and might even contribute to depression. If you have to get up early for work each day, staying up too late can hamper your productivity and diminish your energy and enthusiasm at work. This unhealthy behavior might also lead to increased work errors and incessant worry about your job performance. Therefore, if you don't have a regular bedtime, create one, and be sure to get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
3. Too Much Technology
Many individuals, from very young children to older adults, find it difficult to walk away from computers, smartphones and other technological devices. This unhealthy behavior promotes inactivity, and the abundance of information presented on smartphones and other media devices overstimulates the brain, making it tough to relax the mind and unwind. Countless individuals suffer from social media addiction, and any addiction has the ability to wreak havoc on a person's mental health. Use technology to make your work life easier and to entertain yourself, but establish clear usage limits and don't cross them; at the same time, try to spend more time with loved ones or out in nature.
4. No Relaxation Time
If you're always on the go and have a difficult time saying "no" to your boss, friends or family, eventually, you're going to burn out. This type of routine leads to physical and mental exhaustion and can suck all of the joy out of your life. Learn to say "no," and schedule time to relax each day. Enhance your relaxation time with simple breathing practices or physical activities like stretching or yoga.
Once you eliminate these unhealthy behaviors from your life, you' may start feeling better almost immediately. Your behaviors and habits have a strong impact on your mind and overall well-being, so it's essential to monitor them closely to ensure you're not unconsciously making decisions that lead to unhappiness, anxiety or poor health.
Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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