Let’s be real… it seems like suffering from poor mental health is a lot more common these days than not. With the world we live in, it often times feels like negativity consumes us.
From news media to social media platforms, everyday life stresses and poor sleep schedules, it’s hard to remain unaffected by it all.
For many of us, it seems like it’s easier to ignore our mental health & carry on with the same habits, day in and day out… But in reality, these same habits can have a huge impact on our mental health, sometimes in ways that we don’t even realize!
Daily Habits to DELETE
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just generally out of sorts, it may be time to take a look at your daily routine and see what habits you can cut out to help improve your mental health day-to-day.
It will be worth it, I promise!!
Habits, good or bad, have a significant impact on our mood, productivity, and energy levels. While some habits can be beneficial, others can negatively affect our mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, & stress.
Here are five negative habits to cut out of your daily routine TODAY to get you feeling back to the powerful badass that you are:
- Social Media Overuse
I know you’ve already heard this, probably more than once… but social media really can be detrimental to our mental health. Whether you realize it or not, the amount of time that the average person spends on social media platforms everyday is NOT healthy.
Studies have shown that social media overuse can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, & loneliness.
Trust me, I know how easy it is to get sucked into the world of social media, spending hours scrolling through our feeds, comparing our lives to others & obsessing over likes & comments.
But cutting back on the amount of time you spend on social media really can make a huge difference in your mood, I know it has for me!!
How to Limit Your Social Media Time
To cut back on social media, try setting limits on your usage. For example, only check your accounts during specific times of the day or for a set amount of time. You could also consider taking a break from social media altogether.
I know it’s not easy as these platforms are highly addicting, but try to keep yourself busy by doing other things you enjoy.
Use the time you would have spent scrolling to engage in activities that bring you joy, like reading, hiking, or spending time with loved ones.
Learn new things, do things your future self will thank you for.
- News Media
Along with social media, the news can have a huge impact on your mental health. With more bad than good, there’s really no reason you should be subjecting yourself to that.
I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but in my opinion, the news media is just a big negative hub to share all of the bad things going on in the world in order to keep you in a state of fear.
& sure, staying informed about important issues & events is definitely important, but excessive exposure to negative news can have a detrimental effect on our mental & physical well-being.
So be mindful of what you are consuming on a day-to-day basis & consider turning to other sources in order to stay informed.
- Procrastination
Procrastination is like your toxic ex, it feels good in the moment but the consequences that come with it just aren’t worth the hype. & if you fuck around with it for too long it becomes addicting, it becomes hard to cut off.
But for real… who doesn’t procrastinate these days, with all of the distractions around us it’s nearly impossible not to!
Procrastination might be a common habit amongst us all, but it can significantly affect our mental health. When we procrastinate, we delay tasks and responsibilities, leading to stress, anxiety, & guilt.
Procrastination can also impact our productivity, making us feel overwhelmed & anxious, which can result in a cycle of negativity.
When I tell you the states of overwhelmingness that procrastination has caused me… I’m talking anxiety induced panic attacks, tears, anger… & all. my. fault.
How to Cut Off Procrastination Like You Did Your Toxic Ex
Start by setting achievable goals and deadlines. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable ones, & prioritize your tasks based on their importance.
Create a to-do list and stick to it. Limit distractions, such as social media or TV, during work hours, & take regular breaks to prevent burnout.
I know it’s not easy, but when you put your mind to it, it’s very achievable! & trust me, It’s worth it!
- Negative self-talk
Stop trash talking yourself!! I MEAN IT. Stop that right now. You’re an unstoppable, POWERFUL baddie & you’re worthy of more than anything anyone has ever told you.
Negative self-talk is a terrible habit & it can severely affect our mental health… leading to low self-esteem, self-doubt, & anxiety. When we engage in negative self-talk, we criticize and judge ourselves harshly, leading to a cycle of negativity & self-doubt.
Would you ever say the things you say to yourself to someone close to you that you love? Your best friend? Loved one? Sister/brother? Mom? Dad?
I didn’t think so!!!
Treat Yourself Like the QUEEN/KING That You Are
To cut out negative self-talk from your daily routine, start by identifying your negative thought patterns. Challenge these thoughts by replacing them with positive affirmations & focusing on your strengths & achievements (because you’re a badass).
Practice self-compassion & treat yourself with kindness & understanding.
Look in the mirror & tell yourself “I love you” every morning! I don’t care if you feel silly doing this, if you make this a habit your mind will eventually start believing it & you will forget about all of the negative self-talk that you were exposing yourself to.
Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who can uplift & encourage you. It takes time & practice to change negative self-talk, but with dedication, you will make progress.
- Poor sleep habits
I know sleep seems to be a luxury these days… for a lot of us, sleep doesn’t happen easily. Whether it’s work, stress, sleep disorders, environments… Getting a good sleep can be a job in itself.
But as I’m sure you’re aware, sleep is essential for our mental health & well-being.
Poor sleep habits, such as irregular sleep schedules, lack of sleep, & poor sleep quality, can significantly impact our mental health, leading to fatigue, irritability, & mood swings.
Tips to Sleeping Like a Pro
To cut out poor sleep habits from your daily routine, start by creating a sleep-friendly environment.
Establish a regular sleep schedule & stick to it, even on weekends. This can include winding down with a book or calming music, avoiding screens for an hour before bed, & keeping your bedroom cool & dark.
You could also try incorporating relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, into your bedtime routine to help you fall asleep faster & stay asleep longer.
Do your best to limit caffeine, alcohol, & large meals before bedtime. I know it’s not always possible, but not eating for a few hours before bed & avoiding alcohol has been a huge life saver for my quality of sleep.
- Sedentary lifestyle
Let’s treat our bodies to some movement, ya??
I know for some of you, this is already a big part of your daily routine & lifestyle. And for others, exercise might be put on the backburner.
But I’m telling you right now… the endorphins after a good workout sesh… unbeatable.
Living an inactive lifestyle can negatively affect our mental health & well-being. Lack of physical activity can lead to fatigue, low mood, & poor concentration. It can also increase the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease & diabetes, which can further impact our mental health!!
Ways to Incorporate Activity Into Your Everyday Routine
Find an exercise routine that works for you, whether it’s walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing.
Set realistic goals & gradually increase your activity level.
Take breaks during the workday & stretch or go for a short walk.
Home workouts are another great place to start. Youtube is a great platform to find workout videos that range from beginner to advanced, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, etc. The options are endless!
Let’s focus on making physical activity a priority – schedule it into your day & your body will thank you!
- Unhealthy diet
Okay, another no brainer… When you eat good you feel good!
Most of us have a basic understanding of the importance of diet & our health. But diet also plays a significant role in our mental health.
Unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming processed & sugary foods, can negatively affect our mental health, leading to fatigue, irritability, & mood swings (there seems to be a common theme here).
I know it’s easy to indulge in yummy foods, especially when you’re blessed with a metabolism that lets you eat anything & everything!
But constantly feeding your body with highly processed foods, sugars, and oils, could be a root cause of your anxiety, depression, & other mental illnesses you may be suffering from.
Gut health seems to be a hot topic these days, & I’m here for it! Our gut-brain axis is a complex system that’s still being studied, but it’s clear that our gut health plays a crucial role in our brain health & function.
So let’s take care of our gut microbiome (the microorganisms inside our intestines) by nourishing our bodies with healthy, delicious foods.
Remember, everything in moderation!!! You don’t have to cut out all your favorite treats indefinitely, that would be torturous.
Fuel Your Body & Treat Your Brain
To cut out unhealthy eating habits from your daily routine, start by making healthier choices. Switch your favorite dessert for a healthier alternative, or swap your favorite breakfast cereal for a bowl of fruit.
Try incorporating a variety of whole foods into your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, & lean proteins. Avoid eating an excessive amount of processed & sugary foods.
Again… everything in moderation! I live by the 80/20 rule – nourishing my body with nutritious whole-foods 80 percent of the time & indulging in less healthy options or treats the remaining 20 percent.
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
Mental health is a crucial aspect of our well-being that deserves our attention and care!!
To improve our mental health, we must look inward & DO THE WORK, starting with cutting out obstructive daily habits that can negatively impact our minds & bodies.
Let’s focus more on cultivating positive habits that can enhance our mental & physical health, such as practicing self-care, staying active, eating an overall healthy diet, getting enough sleep, & surrounding ourselves with love & positivity.
Cheers to stepping into our powerful, BAD B era of love, abundance, HEALTH & WEALTH.
xx,
hh
What are you going to cut out of your everyday routine? What is something you already do everyday that makes you feel good?
Leave a Reply