17 Everyday Habits That Might Be Hurting Your Mental Health

Are you feeling weighed down by stress and unhappiness? Your daily routines and habits might be playing a bigger role than you realize. Instead of ignoring these emotions, it’s worth exploring what might be causing them. Take a closer look at these everyday behaviors that could be harming your mental health. By recognizing and changing these habits, you may start to feel a difference right away. It’s always the right time to make small adjustments that can lead to a healthier and happier mindset!
Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Lack Of Physical Activity

Essentially all forms of exercise and physical activity can help alleviate stress in your life. When you don’t prioritize at least a little bit of physical activity throughout the week, it lowers your cognitive function and puts you at a greater risk for anxiety and depression.
Too Much Screen Time

One of the biggest negative impacts on your mental health, brought on by excessive screen time, is a disrupted sleep pattern. This happens because too much screen time disrupts the production of essential sleep hormones, and we know how important sleep is to feeling strong mentally.
Negative Self-Talk

If you constantly criticize yourself, focus on your shortcomings, and doubt yourself, you begin to erode your self-confidence. You end up creating a lasting belief system that says, “I’m not good enough.” This negative self-talk not only affects your confidence but also impacts your overall well-being and ability to pursue opportunities and connect with others.
Unhealthy Eating Patterns

Scientists have been able to link poor diet & unhealthy eating patterns to an increased likelihood of mental health issues. Their research has shown the production of blood glucose (often found with a poor & unhealthy diet) can be associated with depression.
Accessive Consumption Of Alcohol & Substances

Alcohol and other substances are well known for having adverse effects on the natural chemistry of the brain. If we follow the trail of what happens when a person develops a chemical imbalance, it’s easy to see how it ends up altering mood and behavior for the worse.
Suppressing Emotions

Emotions are a natural response to everyday stimuli we experience as humans. If you suppress them, you deny yourself and your mental health the ability to process and release them, creating tension that will negatively impact you.
Having An Irregular Sleep Cycle

An irregular sleep cycle leads to an irregular circadian rhythm, which regulates many important functions in the body. This can negatively impact your mood and behavior, and experiencing drowsiness and sluggishness throughout the day can also negatively impact your mental health.
Avoiding Challenges

Challenges aren’t necessarily just hard and meaningless; they give us a tremendous amount of knowledge and personal growth. If you intentionally avoid life’s challenges and convince yourself you can’t do hard things, you deny yourself the opportunity to grow, learn, and lead a fulfilling life.
Dwelling On The Past

Spending too much time dwelling on your past mistakes, regrets, or painful experiences stops you from moving forward in life. It keeps you stuck in a negative feedback loop within your mind and brings excessive worry that drains you of your life energy.
Perfectionism

If you feel the need to execute every move in life perfectly, you add a level of intensity that can be more harmful than helpful. You bind yourself with an overbearing fear of making mistakes, and having that constant pressure hang over your head can have an undeniable effect on your mental health.
Not Accepting Help

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being independent in life, especially for women who are taught they can’t. But sometimes, in life, things get to be too much for one person to handle or juggle on their own. This is the beauty of community, family, and loved ones, but when you deny yourself help from those who love you, you risk allowing yourself to drown in stress and overwhelm.
Lack Of Personal Boundaries

It’s necessary to have clear boundaries with people in your life because they won’t always know the limits of what you can handle until you tell them. Lack of personal boundaries can bring you extra stress and work from the lives of other people and lead to resenting not only them but yourself as well.
Lack Of Mindful Practices

What mindful activities do you tend to practice daily? Meditation? Journaling? Breathing exercises? If you cannot come up with a single one, it is time to do so. Try a few mindfulness practices and see which works best for you. For instance, you could try to keep a gratitude journal, go for daily walks in nature, or spend a few minutes reading a book daily.
Inability To Let Go Of People

The people we surround ourselves with have a massive impact on our lives. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known someone. You should cut ties with them if you realize they are draining your energies and bringing negativity into your life. This may be seen as selfish by some, but the truth is that your mental health should always have priority.
Avoiding Social Situations

While it is important to take time for yourself, it is also important to have some social interactions. Being around people is good for your mental health. It can stave off feelings of loneliness and make you feel part of a community. It may even help you live longer. Connect via the internet or by phone, but in-person socialization has been proven to be the best for your mental health. Stop avoiding people and get out there, even if it is in small doses.
Never Saying No

Many of us are people pleasers. We always say yes when asked to complete a task, go to an event, or do someone a favor. We push ourselves to the brink of exhaustion just because we are afraid to say no. Learning how to say no is essential to your mental and physical health. It empowers you to prioritize what truly matters and prevents burnout by not overcommitting yourself. It is okay to say no, and it is something we all need to learn to master.
Living in Clutter

Living in clutter can create a constant sense of being overwhelmed. It can be impossible to focus and relax in the midst of the mess. The chaos of disorganization can lead to increased stress levels as your mind struggles to process the clutter surrounding you. Living in a messy place can also drain your energy, leaving you feeling mentally exhausted and less motivated to tackle tasks. Organization is key to not only keeping your home clean but also to clearing up your mind.