Despite the turbulence at times, life is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest for as long as you possibly can. Yet, this is best accomplished when you have your health. Reduced physical or mental health sucks up your happiness and also reduces your ability to get through those rough patches.
Taking care of your mind and body means erasing bad habits and replacing them with healthy ones. It’s learning of the little things you’re doing that are harmful and finding better solutions. Here are some little things that could be keeping you from living your best life.
Smoking Cigarettes
Cigarette smoking, though legal, is harmful to your mental and physical well-being. From anxiety to heart disease and cancer, many are aware of the risks, but breaking the habit is often impossible without some form of assistance.
If you’ve developed a habit of smoking cigarettes, you’re literally puffing years of your life away. You might consider switching to electronic cigarettes. Vaping is better than smoking and with time, can help you kick the habit for good.
Drinking (in Excess)
Alcohol has become the “adult pacifier” for many. Those looking for a means to cope with overwhelming emotions turn to drink alcohol despite the fact that it increases your risk for mental illness like depression and physical complications like liver and kidney disease. Though it’s ok to drink one serving per day, try to keep it to a minimum.
Skipping Meals
How is it that a person can become so inundated with other responsibilities that they forget to feed themselves? Believe it or not, this happens more often than not. A mother might skip breakfast in an effort to get her kids to school on time. A busy professional might skip lunch in order to meet a deadline.
This just isn’t smart as not eating can cause weight issues and other weight-related problems like diabetes, heart disease, not to mention mental problems like lack of focus or comprehension. Start keeping healthy snacks and meal replacements on hand so you don’t miss the nutrients your body needs to operate effectively.
Too Many Sweets
Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Just about everyone has some sweet treat that they crave on a regular basis. Yet, no matter how good it tastes, too much sugar is detrimental to your well-being. You might think that adding a ton of sugar to your coffee or having some ice cream on a daily basis is small, but the impact can be large. Known for increasing a person’s risk of developing diabetes and other health issues, sugar needs to be reduced. Instead, look for alternative items with natural sugars like fresh fruit.
Social Media Overload
How can you live your best life when you’re too busy comparing it to others? Or, even worse, trying to get approval from others that your life is ideal? Social media is a blessing and a curse. Too much time on it can result in feelings of anxiety and depression. It can consume your mental space making it challenging for you to enjoy every aspect of your life.
Unplug every now and then and be mindful of how you use social media. It’s okay to like, comment, and post, but don’t get so wrapped up that you’re hanging on the words or approval of others to live your own life.
All Work and No Play
Life is meant to be lived. Though you certainly have to work to earn a living, work isn’t everything. Everyone has become so consumed with making it big and having a ton of money (while confusingly mismanaging the money they do have), that they work themselves into a hole. If you spend all of your time working, how do you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor? All work and no play essentially leads to resentment and decreased happiness.
Find time to do things you enjoy more. Whether it’s hanging with your friends, taking a much-needed vacation, or learning a new hobby, you need to get out and experience life.
Who doesn’t want to experience all the things life has to offer? As much as people want to be happy, most don’t understand that true happiness comes from within. If you’re not making the right decisions to take care of your health, eventually, it will catch up to you making it hard for you to enjoy your life. To cut it off at the pass, acknowledge the little things you do and start making changes for the better.