Table of contents:
- 1. Pessimistic
- 2. Perfectionist
- 3. Obsessive thoughts
- 4. Low self-esteem
- 5. Lack of sleep
- 6. Lazy to move
- 7. Holding on to anger
Without realizing it, your biggest enemy is not other people, but yourself. Your thoughts and habits, although often overlooked, can affect your mood and hurt your mental health. Just like physical health, mental disorders will also cause symptoms that eventually hinder your daily activities if not treated immediately.
Here are some habits that can hurt your mental health:
1. Pessimistic
Pessimistic people tend not to have good hopes and easily give up. Because of this, pessimism not only affects the way you view life, it also affects your mental health. Loss of hope and hopelessness, if allowed to drag on, can be symptoms of the disorder mood, namely depression.
So, learn to think positively. Identify your weaknesses and strengths, and focus on your strengths. Don't just dwell on your weaknesses or the bad situation at hand.
2. Perfectionist
Perfectionism tends to make a person want everything to be perfect, go according to plan, and be flawless. These perfect standards often leave a person disappointed and sad, especially if what is planned does not come true. When not controlled, you become prone to anxiety disorders (anxiety disorder).
Set realistic, more attainable goals, and deal with mistakes or failures as a form of learning. If you are already feeling anxious, calm yourself with relaxation techniques, such as taking deep breaths.
3. Obsessive thoughts
Obsession is a negative thought that arises out of control and recurs on a past event or one that is currently being faced.
For example, if you are obsessed with checking your cellphone or social media, you don't want to miss any trivial information. Do not hold the cellphone for a while, in your mind negative things have appeared such as, "What if the partner called because of something?" or, “Could it be that a client calls to schedule meeting urgent?".
This will stress your body and brain, make your breath and heart rate increase rapidly, and your body will release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. All of this will have an impact on your physical and emotional health.
4. Low self-esteem
The way you value yourself can also support or even hurt your mental health. People who tend to have low self-esteem, judge themselves as lacking, compare themselves with others, and blame themselves too often will be prone to stress and depression.
It's better to focus on what you have, maximize your potential, prove to yourself that you have a myriad of abilities, and don't think too much about other people's comments about yourself.
5. Lack of sleep
Sleep is the body's way of regenerating. Therefore, lack of sleep not only makes you easily sleepy, but can also disrupt the performance of the body's systems. This will certainly interfere with your mental health. Numerous studies have shown the link between lack of sleep and various types of mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Get used to sleeping 8 hours a day. Or if you experience sleep problems, check with your doctor immediately to find out the cause and how to deal with it.
6. Lazy to move
A study conducted by experts from University College London found a link between physical activity and depression. The study states that people who are active are less likely to experience depression, because physical activity will reduce the risk of depression.
Start with simple physical activity. For example, walking outside the house, going up and down stairs, cycling, or any activity that can keep your body and mind active.
7. Holding on to anger
Make no mistake, harboring anger can also interfere with a person's mental health. In the journal Advances in 2017, experts in the UK found that people who are unable to vent in a healthy manner are more prone to experiencing a variety of depressive symptoms.
Therefore, learn to vent and express anger, disappointment, and other negative feelings properly. Don't just be buried alone, especially if it disturbs your mental health. Talk to people you trust or write down your feelings in a journal.
