Cultivating mental health: Things to avoid for better state of mind
In today’s fast-paced and ultra demanding world, we are frequently caught up in a never-ending pursuit of success, productivity, and societal expectations. This constant hustle can create an environment in which the pressures of work, relationships, and personal responsibilities become overwhelming.
While dealing with these challenges, the importance of mental health emerges as the primary concern for all.
Here is the thing!
Much like our efforts to maintain physical health through exercise, a balanced diet, and regular check-ups, we must give our mental health the same level of attention and care.
Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illnesses; it refers to a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Achieving and maintaining good mental health necessitates a comprehensive approach that includes not only adopting positive habits but also actively avoiding harmful practices that can disrupt our psychological balance.
Related Article: 9 Strategies to Manage your Worries Well
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In this article, we will discuss the things that can hamper our mental health and how to avoid them effectively.
- Table of Content
- What should you avoid to practise mental health?
- Final Thoughts
Why should you practise mental health?
When psychological wellness is compromised, it can lead to harmful behaviours that not only harm personal health but also risk relationships with others. Maintaining a robust state of mind for overall well-being and a fulfilling life is vital.
And here is how you can do this:
What should you avoid to practise mental health?
The decisions we make in our daily lives have a significant impact on our well-being. Avoiding certain pitfalls can increase resilience, emotional balance, and overall well-being.
What should we avoid when practising mental health?
1. Don’t trust everything Blindly (ANT attack)
Blindly trusting all beliefs exposes people to the adverse effects of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), which can be harmful to their mental health.
ANTs are unplanned, often irrational, and pessimistic thoughts that can arise without conscious effort. These thoughts may contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy.
Developing critical thinking abilities to counteract the potential harm caused by ANTs is critical. This entails consciously assessing and questioning the validity of thoughts and beliefs before accepting them as genuine.
CBT assists individuals in becoming more aware of their thought processes, identifying distorted or unhelpful thinking patterns, and replacing them with healthier and more balanced thoughts. By actively participating in this process, individuals can develop resilience against the negative impact of ANTs, promoting a positive and adaptive mental outlook.
2. Never Say Everything you are thinking (ADD/ADHD)
Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently struggle with impulsive behaviour, which can manifest as expressing thoughts without careful consideration. This can lead to misunderstandings, strained relationships, and potential conflicts.
Mindfulness techniques can help control impulsivity. Meditation and mindfulness exercises can help you develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills. These techniques enable people with ADD/ADHD to pause, reflect, and choose their words carefully, reducing the impact of impulsivity on communication.
Learning to filter thoughts helps to improve overall self-control. This skill is beneficial in verbal communication and extends to various aspects of life, assisting individuals in making more considered decisions and navigating challenging situations with more remarkable composure.
3. Limit Alcohol Consumption (PSTD)
Excessive alcohol consumption is hazardous for people with PTSD. While alcohol may appear to be a way to numb or escape painful memories and emotions, it can interfere with the natural healing process.
It may cause increased anxiety, decreased concentration, and disrupted sleep patterns. Long-term alcohol use can contribute to an avoidance cycle, making it difficult for people to confront and process traumatic memories.
Individuals with PTSD may struggle to recover due to substance abuse, including alcoholism. Effective treatment frequently includes confronting and processing traumatic experiences through therapy. Excessive alcohol consumption creates a barrier to participation in these therapeutic processes, impeding progress towards healing and resolution.
4. Don’t eat everything you are offered (Junk)
Regarding mental health, the adage “you are what you eat” is very true.
The temptation to eat readily available but often nutritionally deficient junk food is alluring, especially in today’s fast-paced society. However, avoiding excessive consumption of junk food is an essential practice for promoting mental health.
A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is essential for optimal brain function. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are good neurotransmitter sources that help maintain a stable and positive mental state.
Excessive consumption of processed foods, sugars, and caffeine can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which affect mood and energy levels. Furthermore, some of the additives and preservatives found in junk food have been linked to increased anxiety and depression.
5. Don’t compare yourself to others
People regularly post the highlights of their lives on social media, resulting in an idealised version that may not accurately reflect reality. Constant exposure to these seemingly perfect lives can create a distorted view of reality.
Everyone has a unique set of circumstances, experiences, and life paths. Comparing yourself to others misses the uniqueness of your journey. You may feel inadequate when you believe other people are more successful, attractive, or happy than you are.
Comparison can lead to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards others, which can harm your mental health and strain relationships.
Comparisons frequently involve setting unrealistic standards based on others’ accomplishments or appearances. Struggling for unattainable goals can result in chronic stress and perpetual dissatisfaction. It may also limit your ability to appreciate and celebrate your achievements.
6. Stop dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Continuously dwelling on past mistakes, failures, or negative experiences without finding a solution can cause guilt, shame, and regret, preventing your progress and personal growth.
Pondering about the past or worrying about the future distracts you from the present moment. Being mentally preoccupied with what has happened or might happen next can impair one’s ability to appreciate and engage in the present moment. The loss of present-moment awareness can result in feelings of detachment and dissatisfaction.
When you’re preoccupied with the past or future, finding practical solutions to current problems can be difficult. This can lead to a cycle of stress and hinder personal and professional development.
7. Ditch your couch
Play sports and engage in physical activities.
Physical activity is a powerful stress reliever. When we participate in sports or exercise, our bodies produce endorphins, natural chemicals that improve mood and reduce stress. These endorphins reduce tension and promote well-being as a buffer against the daily stressors that can accumulate in our lives.
Regular physical activity is an effective strategy for coping with anxiety and depression. Exercise increases the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which play essential roles in mood regulation.
Physical activity has been linked to improved cognitive function, such as memory, focus, and overall mental clarity. Sports require strategic thinking, concentration, and quick decision-making, which can improve cognitive skills and mental agility.
8. Don’t Compromise your sleep
Sleep is intricately linked to a variety of cognitive and emotional functions. Chronic sleep deprivation can cause increased stress, anxiety, and irritability. Insufficient sleep has also been linked to an increased risk of developing mood disorders like depression.
Developing a consistent sleep routine entails going to bed and waking up at the same times every day, even on weekends. This helps to regulate the body’s internal clock, resulting in a more natural and restful sleep pattern.
Adequate sleep is required for optimal cognitive performance. It improves memory consolidation, problem-solving skills, and general mental clarity. Prioritizing sleep ensures that the mind is well-rested and prepared to face daily challenges, both cognitively and emotionally.
9. Sedentary Lifestyle With No Purpose In Life.
Focus on your passion
Having a passion gives you a clear sense of purpose in life. It gives people a reason to get out of bed every morning, feeling excited and motivated. This sense of purpose is a motivator that can hold people together during difficult times, providing a sense of direction and contributing to a positive mental outlook.
Engaging in activities that align with one’s passions can be intrinsically rewarding. Pursuing something meaningful and personally satisfying brings joy and contentment into everyday life.
Immersing oneself in a passion provides a healthy distraction from the stresses and pressures of everyday life. This diversion can be a natural stress reliever, encouraging relaxation and emotional balance.
10 . Avoid over-exposure to technology
Regularly monitor and limit your daily screen time. Excessive screen time can cause eye strain, fatigue, and disrupted sleep cycles. Many devices include tools for tracking usage. This can help you maintain a healthier balance.
Constant social media use can lead to feelings of inadequacy, social comparison, and even cyberbullying. Consider disabling notifications to avoid constant interruptions. Unfollow or mute any accounts that harm your mental health.
Mindless scrolling can cause information overload and add to feelings of overwhelm. Choose carefully which news, articles, and social media posts to engage with. Set aside specific days or hours to disconnect from your digital devices.
Final Thoughts
To promote mental health and avoid distressing situations, one can actively engage in practices that promote emotional resilience and balance. This includes developing self-awareness, using cognitive strategies to manage negative thoughts, prioritising healthy sleep and eating habits, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and devoting time to activities that align with personal interests.
Adopting a holistic approach that considers physical, emotional, and social well-being leads to a more comprehensive and long-term mental health strategy.
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