Depression is typically brought on by factors beyond our control, such as job loss, the death of a loved one, or financial issues. However, the small choices we make every day might also affect our mood more than we may realize. Your exercise routine, social media habits, and even the way you walk might be sucking the happiness out of your day, and you might not even know it. Luckily, these behaviors can be changed. Here are some habits that are sabotaging your mental health and what you can do to turn it around.
Slouching when you walk.
How we feel can affect how we talk, but the inverse is also true, according to a study in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. Researchers found that when participants were asked to walk with their shoulders slumped, hunched over, and with no arm movements, they experienced worse moods than people who had more pep in their steps. What’s more, those who walked in the slouchy style remembered more adverse things than positive things. To improve your mood, try lifting your chin and rolling your shoulders back to keep your perspective on the positive side.
Taking pictures of everything.
This message is for the Instagram queens. According to a study in Psychological Science, haphazardly taking pictures might dampen how you remember those moments. In the study, partakers took a museum tour, seeing objects and taking pictures of others. Afterward, they had challenges remembering the items they took pictures of compared with the ones they looked at. Associate Professor Diedra L. Clay said that the lens is a veil in front of our eyes, and we don’t realize it’s there. One way to get happy is to focus on your subjects when taking pictures or just sit back and enjoy yourself. Soak up the moment and participate in the action because these are things that will make you mentally stronger.
Letting a bully get the best of you.
Unfortunately, bullying doesn’t end when you leave school. Approximately 54 million workers are pursued by a bully in their careers, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute. Over 70 percent of people have seen a workplace bully, according to author Erin K. Leonard. She says that being maliciously attacked in the place of self-esteem and pride continuously can be devastating, making you emotionally volatile so that it’s even challenging to get up and go to work. The Workplace Bullying Institute recommends making an appointment with your doctor to talk about your mental and physical health. Then, carefully document as many of your interactions as possible and follow the organization’s three-step action plan.
Not exercising.
Think about this: if you become more active three times a week, your depression risk decreases by 19 percent, according to a study from JAMA Psychiatry. After following over 11,000 people born in 1959 up until 50 years old and recording depressive symptoms and readings of physical activity at regular intervals, University College London researchers found a link between depression and physical activity. People who were depressed were less likely to be active, while others who were active were less likely to suffer from depression. In fact, for every time they were active, depression risk decreased. The solution is to get out and move. It doesn’t have to be long, but any activity will help keep your mind moving.
You procrastinate.
Imagine a task you’ve been putting off. If the reason why you’ve been putting it off is because you don’t feel like doing it or it’s boring, then there’s no help for you. However, if you’re avoiding the task because you’re afraid of failing or it makes you anxious, then procrastinating simply makes completing it more nerve-racking. The solution to this issue is before you tackle your issue head-on, you should do something that helps ease your stress, like listening to music or going for a run. You should engage in an activity that helps break up the anxiety so you can include a bit of fun into it instead of stress.
You’re in an unhealthy relationship.
Most people suffering from depression and anxiety don’t realize it’s because of a toxic relationship, as it eats away at their self-esteem. Their partners have them thinking they’re selfish or incompetent. Sometimes, it takes years for people to realize that their anxiety and depression come from their relationships and that they’ve been dismantled. The best way to solve this issue is to figure out if your partner is abusive. Then, consult a family member, a professional, or a close friend to help you see the signs.
You take life too seriously.
You fall on the sidewalk, and instead of shrugging it off, you cringe with embarrassment. If that sounds like you, it may be time to find some ways to laugh more. Several studies show the benefits of laughter on our health, and this includes mental health. Laughter is the fastest medicine for depression and anxiety. The best solution to this issue is to seek out humor every day. You could spend time with friends and family who make you smile or watch a funny movie or TV show. You could also try volunteering with kids because they really do the darndest things.
Self-care is a set of lifestyle habits and strategies that you can use to promote your psychological, emotional, social, physical and mental health and well-being. Being proactive about your self-care includes promoting relaxation and sleep, improving diet and exercise, and setting goals for yourself. This work has been shown to help with depression, stress, and anxiety, as well as support positive physical health results.
