If you’re like most people, you have at least a few bad habits that are holding you back from living your best life. You might not even know it yet. Bad habits can be hard to identify, especially those that have become so ingrained in your life that they feel like a natural and normal part of your routine. However, if you take a good hard look at your daily behaviors, you might just discover a few unhealthy habits that are worth cutting out of your life for good. Let’s explore five things you should stop doing to improve your life today!
Negative Thinking
Negative thinking is terrible for your mental and physical health. According to Healthline, people with chronic negative thinking patterns show increased cognitive decline and problems with memory. Negative thought patterns can also hurt your relationships. Thankfully, it’s possible to curb negative thoughts with mindfulness techniques. Talking to a psychotherapist like Dr. Judi Bloom is a great place to start!
If you’re dealing with negative thought patterns during the dark winter months, ZenBusiness suggests taking vitamin D, exercising regularly, and getting outside in the daylight as often as possible. Research suggests that seasonal depression is mainly caused by a lack of sunlight.
Overworking Yourself
Overworking can also put your health at risk. While it can be tempting to pack your schedule with projects and commitments and enjoy a highly productive week, you will end up crashing. Burnout has become a common occurrence among people who regularly overwork themselves. To save yourself from the health effects of burnout, try to take a step back, say “no” more often, and prioritize time for self-care.
Eating Poorly
What you eat can have a profound impact on your physical health as well as your mental wellbeing. If you’re loading up on unhealthy foods, your brain is going to feel foggy, tired, and slow. Fuel yourself with vitamins and minerals that your brain needs in order to function at top capacity. BBC Good Food lists several foods that can boost your brainpower, including whole grains, fatty fish, berries, nuts, seeds, eggs, and cruciferous vegetables.
Sitting Around All Day
Spending most of your day sitting is one of the worst things you can do for your health. People who sit for 6 or more hours a day are more likely to die from a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Our bodies weren’t meant to be stationary! If you must spend a lot of time sitting for your job, make a point of getting up and walking around at least every hour. Stretching will also help to keep your blood flowing and your muscles loose. Also, try to be active outside of your workday, aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days a week.
Sleeping at Inconsistent Times
Sleep is one of the most important yet overlooked elements of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, many people sacrifice their sleep for an early morning workout or a late-night self-care session. While finding time to exercise and engage in self-care is important, your sleep is vital to your whole-body wellbeing. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every night is one of the best ways to maximize your sleep efficiency so you can get the restorative sleep you need in the shortest amount of time. Regular sleep patterns will support your body’s natural circadian rhythm, cueing your body to feel tired and wakeful at the right times.
If you want to improve your life, start by looking at the unhealthy habits that might be holding you back. Eating poorly, getting too little sleep, ruminating about negative things, and sitting around all day can zap your energy and destroy your motivation to pick up healthy behaviors. Make an effort to quit those bad habits and replace them with positive actions that support your health and wellbeing!
If you’re trying to overcome some of your negative habits, therapy can help! Dr. Judi Bloom will help you use psychological techniques to deal with depression, anxiety, phobias, relationship issues, addiction, and more. Call today for an appointment. 310-919-7834
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