Bad habits break hard. We all do things we know aren’t good for us, and as much as we know we should stop, we keep going back for more.
Do you engage in any of these bad-for-you activities? If so, it’s time to make a change.
Self Isolation
Humans are social creatures. We need friends and community to thrive, but the internet makes it too easy for us to hide away at home.
It’s time to engage with people again. Invite a friend over, set up a happy hour, or join a hobby group that sparks your interest. Get out of the house and interact with people in real life.
Not Sleeping
Most people need about eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. We don’t get it because we refuse to go to bed at a decent hour.
You can get more sleep by creating a routine. Set a bedtime and stick to it. Put your phone down at least an hour before bed and read a book to ease yourself into it.
Procrastinating
There’s so much stuff to do and plenty of time to do it, but we don’t. Procrastinating increases stress, and we know it’s terrible, but we can’t stop putting things off.
To stop procrastinating, get an accountability buddy. Having someone to keep you on task provides a fantastic motivation boost to get things done.
Doom Scrolling
Social media platforms want you to keep mindlessly scrolling. They promote the most outrageous content to keep you engaged.
Put the phone down. It’s the very worst of humanity purposelessly elevated to keep you there.
The real world isn’t nearly as bad as social media makes it appear.
Bed Rotting
Gen Z coined a new term to describe days when we just can’t get out of bed. The refusal to get up and engage in the world is detrimental to our health and wellness, but we can’t seem to get up.
Doom scrolling leads to bed rotting. Put down the phone and engage in the real world. If it’s more than that, consider seeing a therapist for depression.
Indulging in the Sweet Tooth
The world abounds with delicious pastry treats and candies, tempting you with their sugary goodness. However, too much sugar causes numerous health concerns, like diabetes and obesity.
It’s okay to eat sweets now and then. Put one sweet snack on your weekly grocery list. If you indulge occasionally, you’re less likely to feel restricted, which will prevent binge eating.
If you absolutely can’t stop, you may want to see a doctor. Disordered eating is all too common, yet we don’t always recognize it for what it is.
Drinking
Relaxing with a cold one after a hard day’s work takes the edge off, but it’s horrible for your health and wellness.
Find other ways to relax instead. Swap the booze for tea, or work out after work to take the edge off. You’ll be surprised at how good you feel after giving it up for just a few short weeks.
Too Much Cheap, Easy Foods
With daily life’s stress, we don’t always have time to cook meals from scratch. But relying on cheap processed junk all the time is horrible for your health. They’re loaded with chemicals and lack nutritional value.
Meal prepping can help you find time to eat healthier. Take a few hours on the weekend to prepare nutritious meals for the week. In addition, try to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your routine. A lunch of cut veggies and hummus takes a few minutes to prepare.
Overworking
American work culture involves working late nights and long weekends to get ahead. Sometimes, we need the money to survive, but often, we work so much because we think we have to.
Examine your bills and your budget. Are you working yourself to death because you’re trying to keep up with a lifestyle you don’t need? Let go of those expectations.
If you spend too much time at work because the boss demands it, you should try to find a new job.
Smoking
We’ve known about the adverse health effects of smoking for decades, yet many people still pick up the habit. Younger generations think vaping is better, but it’s just as addictive.
Quitting smoking is no easy task. You must fully commit to it. When you do, try over-the-counter patches and nicotine gum. If that doesn’t work, see your doctor about prescription help.
Excessive Shopping
Buying something new makes us feel good about ourselves, but if we shop too much, we can destroy our budgets.
Window shopping allows you to enjoy shopping without busting your budget. Leave your wallet at home, and if you see something you absolutely have to have, go back and buy it. Chances are, you won’t want it that bad.
Negative Self Talk
We’re harder on ourselves than anyone else. We constantly criticize ourselves, which hurts our self-confidence and limits our growth.
Breaking the habit takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it. Start by shifting the negatives into positives. Don’t dwell on failures; think about what you have learned. Grab your journal and write things you love about yourself. After a while, the negative self-talk disappears, and you feel a renewed sense of self-worth.
Nail Biting/Picking
Look at your fingernails. Are they well-manicured or rugged, bitten and laden with little scars?
Biting your nails or picking at your cuticles is terrible for your teeth and nails, but it’s hard to stop. Try getting a professional manicure. They will remove all the annoying little bits, so you won’t have anything to pick at. Spend time carefully filing your nails at home between manicures to avoid the habit.
Gossipping
Humans bond through communication, but talking badly about others isn’t the way. It’s hard to avoid gossip when everyone around you is engaged in it, but it’s better for your mental health and social standing to opt-out.
When someone starts gossiping, tell them you don’t want to hear it, or change the subject to something positive. When you refuse to engage, people will stop gossiping with you.
Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous, yet many people can’t pull themselves away from their phones. We’re so used to driving that we forget the massive perils on the road.
To stop texting and driving, embrace mindfulness about what you’re doing. You’re controlling a two-ton metal box at extremely high speeds. One mistake can destroy your life. No text is worth that.
Interrupting Others
Conversations are a two-way street. You’re supposed to listen to what the other person is saying rather than just wait for your turn to speak. Some folks don’t even wait, jumping in whenever they have a thought to add. This habit is disruptive and disrespectful; you risk losing friends if you don’t stop.
Be more mindful when engaging in conversation. Try active listening so you’re fully aware of what the other person is saying. If you do interrupt, apologize and ask the speaker to continue what they were saying. Your friends will appreciate the acknowledgment and effort.
Hoarding
You can’t throw away that random cord; you might need it one day! The random cord becomes ten, and suddenly you have an entire box full of cables, chargers, battery packs, screws, and thingamabobs that might go with that whatchamacallit.
You don’t need all that stuff. Create a spring cleaning ritual once per year to get rid of the stuff you haven’t used. If you can’t bear to throw things away, have a garage sale or donate it.
Yes-Man
Saying no feels awful, but if you say yes to everything, you’ll stretch yourself far too thin.
It’s time to prioritize and set boundaries. Say yes to what you truly value, and learn to say no to things that don’t bring you joy. Remember, “No” is a complete sentence; you don’t have to give an excuse. Get comfortable saying it.
Avoidance
While avoiding conflict may seem easy at the time, it never really solves anything. It’s time to confront your problems head-on.
Start by writing a checklist of what you need to do. If you need to confront someone, having your talking points in writing will help you stay on task.
Addressing conflict is challenging, so if you need assistance, consider taking online courses in conflict management or seeing a therapist.
Mindless Snacking
Munching on that bag of chips while scrolling through Netflix looking for something to watch hurts your budget, waistline, and overall health.
You’re not hungry; you’re bored. If you feel a little hungry, try drinking a glass of water to fill your belly. If you need something to do with your hands, try needleworking like crochet or knitting.
Cultivate Healthy Habits
Swap those bad habits for healthy lifestyle changes. These activities will make you feel better without negatively impacting your wallet.