This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Clark chapter.
When we think of the word “health”, what first comes to mind is most likely diet and exercise. There are, however, many more components that come into play to affect our overall health. You can drink as many green juices a day as possible but none of them will cancel out negative health habits.
- Regularly checking social media: As harmless as it might seem, social media can be pretty detrimental to our mental health. Whether we realize it or not, we are always consciously or subconsciously comparing ourselves to others on social media. Checking in on what others are doing every now and then throughout the day is fine, but if you find yourself endlessly scrolling through Instagram or repeatedly checking how many likes your post is getting, then it might be time to delete some apps from your phone, at least for a little while until you get used to not checking them all the time.
- Lingering in the morning: Having a regular circadian rhythm is essential to getting a good night of sleep. Part of this is going to bed and waking up around the same time every day, but the other part is something you might not even realize you’re doing. 80% of smartphone users check their phone before even brushing their teeth. It’s really important for our minds to associate
- Netflix before bed: I’m a huge offender of this, but I make an active effort to do it as little as possible.
- Negative thinking: This can be a pretty tough habit to kick, especially if you’re accustomed to expecting the worst. Someone once told me “high standards, low expectations”, and I might have taken it a little too seriously because I can be pretty pessimistic. It’s normal to think negatively sometimes, but constantly expecting the worst can hurt your health. The best way to kick this habit is to first stop yourself from saying negative things out loud, about yourself or anyone else. The less you talk negatively, the less you will think negatively. Additionally, it can help to look for the positive in your life by writing a “gratitude list” every night before bed and looking it over when you wake up in the morning. This webpage also has some good tips to stop negative thoughts from taking over your life.
- Mindless eating: Boredom is the ultimate culprit for unhealthy eating. When we’re bored, our minds seek stimulation and we think the only way to achieve this is by snacking. Before grabbing food, ask yourself whether or not you’re actually hungry. Think back to how much water you drank that day, because sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger. If you know you’re hydrated, and still feel like snacking, opt for a healthier snack like carrots and hummus, or an apple with some peanut butter.