5 Things You Should Avoid For Your Mental Health

Mental health issues are becoming more and more common nowadays. Whether it is depression, anxiety, or something else, it can make day-to-day life difficult for many people. It should not come as a surprise that mental health problems can even affect your ability to live a normal life. No matter how busy you are, it is important to make time for your mental health. It is less about the quantity of work you can do, and more about taking time out for yourself to rejuvenate. To stay on top of your mental health, there are a few things you need to avoid because of their potential for negatively impacting your mental well-being.

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1. Table of Contents

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   Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a behavioral pattern that involves the excessive use of intoxicants. Substance use may start as something did recreationally, but it soon spirals out of control, and the substance user develops a substance dependence. The effects on the mind and body are destructive, to say the least, and lead to other tragic health consequences. Identifying drug-induced behavioral changes in teenagers and young adults is vital to nip the habit in the bud. To safeguard yourself and your family from drug abuse, and the health problems it leads to, talk to certified professionals at recovery institutes, like Serenity at Summit, to understand the scope of the substance-abuse threat.

There are a variety of ways substance abuse disorders are treated, ranging from attending support groups, therapy, and medication to more intensive treatment options, such as rehabilitation.

2. Isolation

Isolation leads to health risks in the elderly and to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse in the young. Whether you have moved to a new place where you don’t know anyone, or you like to stay indoors, complete isolation from society will have a tangible impact on your physical and as well mental health.

If you do feel lonely or isolated, take steps to reach out and make some new friends. You might also consider joining a local club or community recreation center to connect with other people. The goal is to reach out as often as you can. Make coffee plans with a close friend or family member. You don’t have to plan big for the weekend, just a little time spent, out in the open, among friends and family can help you feel less isolated. Avoid long periods of isolated time to yourself. Even if you aren’t in the mood to go out when a friend asks you to, take a rain check and let them know that you’re interested.

3. Social Media

One of the worst things you can do for your mental health is spent hours upon hours on social media platforms. Social media sites have been repeatedly shown to increase anxiety and depression among their users. Social media trolls thrive on spreading hate and negativity, which can negatively affect your mental well-being. You should avoid the use of social media altogether if you are going through a rough patch because seeing people posting happy pictures of themselves on their social media profiles might rub you the wrong way.

If you’re the kind of person who attaches their own self-worth to the number of views and followers on social media profiles then you need to wean yourself away from social media for a while. The people who often post perfect and happy photos of their lives are rarely as maniacally happy as the pictures suggest. It’s better to unfollow or unfriend such people so that you don’t fall into the comparison trap.

4. Negative Self-Talk

Self-talk is the internal dialogue that goes on in your mind. Whether positive or negative, it has a bearing on your attitude and behavior. When you feel down or discouraged, it is convenient to fall into a victim’s mentality. First, learn to catch yourself in the act when you start internal negative self-talk.

Trying to reassure yourself with positive statements about your abilities and worth would not magically change the way feel, however, it is a way of building your self-confidence over time that helps you replace the old, and negative, way of thinking with more positive thoughts.

5. Working at an Unfulfilling Job

People are often unsatisfied at their jobs, and, not doing something about it quickly enough, can lead them to feel lost, unhappy, and vulnerable to health issues, like insomnia and depression.

In trying to overcome the insurmountable task of switching careers, take baby steps toward a better future as no amount of money or comfort is worth your mental health. The Internet has made the job space easier to navigate, along with providing platforms for skill development so you can easily transition into your career of interest.

Conclusion

This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many other things affecting your mental health. But this was enough for a general rundown of the things you need to avoid if you care about your mental well-being. Focusing on the positive and bright side of life can work wonders in keeping you mentally healthy.

Check out: Five Ways Nurses Can Improve Care for People with Severe Mental Illness