All of us are looking for ways to be happy. As humans, we have an innate desire to rid our lives of worry and make our living environment as pleasant as possible. However, the only issue is that sometimes our choices add to our misery. We acquire destructive habits that diminish our chances of achieving lasting happiness. Fortunately, you may break the pattern and reclaim the ultimate joy by quitting the following habits:
Table of Contents
Lack of Sleep
Lack of sleep has been shown to negatively affect a variety of physical functions, including immunity, decision-making skills, and heart health. Besides, it may also exacerbate sadness, impede weight loss efforts, and increase the likelihood that you will give in to tomorrow’s cravings.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the recommended amount of sleep every night is 7 to 8 hours. Consistency is the most telling characteristic of high-quality sleep. Therefore, make it a habit to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
Binge Drinking
Though many people are aware of the dangers associated with binge drinking, they still cannot stop indulging in it. Even on rare occasions, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is harmful to your health.
For example, it increases your risk of developing liver and heart problems and has a variety of unpleasant short-term side effects, including drowsiness, weight gain, and weariness. If you have started consuming excessive alcohol regularly, you might be addicted to it. In that case, going to the rehab facilities like the Palm Beach Institute is your best bet.
Comparing Yourself With Others
Real joy-theft comes from comparison. It has become quite easy nowadays to compare yourself with others, thanks to the pervasiveness of social media. The catch is that nobody posts about the boring, everyday stuff that really matters. No one is flawless in every way; no one has the ideal skin, hair, eyes, teeth, weight, or place of residence.
Instead of losing your sleep by comparing yourself with others, why not spend that time thinking of ways to improve your life? This does not necessarily imply conforming to societal norms but rather making choices that are true to who you are and what you value most. Despite its shortcomings, be grateful for what you currently have. This is a surefire path to a more joyful life.
Always Being On Your Phone
The second thing that ruins your life is using your phone for too long. Indeed, access to your smartphone is more convenient than ever. But you need to limit your screen time. Go to your phone’s Settings, and it will show you exactly how much time you have spent on this little device. The number will astound you!
There is no getting away from the fact that we are living in an era of information overload. If you put down your phone for a minute and then take it back, you will see a plethora of new posts on your Instagram or Facebook feeds. The world continues to progress, with new notifications popping up every second. So, it is not hard to justify staying glued to your phone around the clock. But you must not forget that there is a world beyond the tiny, dazzling display in front of you.
One way to avoid being on the phone 24/7 is to set specific hours to use your mobile. Depending on your job and personal schedule, this could be every three hours, every hour, or once a day. If you can find a method that works for you, you will not have to keep checking your inbox or responding to alerts every five seconds.
Getting Stuck In The Past
The things we have been through greatly influence who we are today. However, it is important to recognize that rehashing painful memories can bring on a lot of emotional distress. It prevents us from living in the present and advancing in our lives.
Therefore, if you find yourself dwelling on the pain someone else caused you or on your own mistakes and regrets, remind yourself gently to shift your thoughts to the current moment and that you do not need to hold on to them. You might have to repeat this process several times, but do not give up.
Falling In The Trap Of Blame Game
Blaming other people all the time for your troubles or situations is a bad habit that will adversely impact you. Blaming others allows us to escape responsibility for our own actions. Making other people the scapegoat for our problems can prevent us from solving them ourselves, thereby hindering our growth in the long run. Besides, by disregarding any indication of the shifting blame, we may even turn away people who are offering their support to us.
Those who are quick to point fingers tend to be insecure. They assume that any instance of error disproves their perfect nature. Talking to a therapist can assist you in realizing your human frailty and error potential without self-deprecation or evasion of accountability.
Not Taking A Break
Many people get stuck in a rut when they have the same routine every day and work in the same spot. Constant mental and physical strain gets in the way of optimally focusing on any given task. Working for long stretches without rest hinders our ability to concentrate. Even if we put in a lot of hours, that does not indicate our hard work is paying off. Taking time off is crucial for maintaining mental vitality and generating new ideas.
If you spend your day sitting in front of a computer, you could make the most of your break by getting physically active. The long-term advantages of even a little bit of physical activity can be substantial.
Conclusion
The first step to improving your lifestyle is to start identifying bad habits. While motivation is a good way to eliminate poor patterns, it is unlikely to get the job done singlehandedly. Instead, you should replace a poor habit with a healthier one, lay down small goals, and modify your environment to increase the likelihood of success.
