Toxic Habits: Overthinking, Life is a never-ending source of anxiety. I used to believe that I was the only one experiencing the sress and worry of the day because I was in my own little bubble. What I didn’t realise at the time was that I was continuously engaged in harmful habits that increased my anxiety levels over time.
Millennials, in fact, are more nervous than older Americans, feel more stress, and are less able to handle it than any previous generation, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Worse, according to the same APA survey, 13% of millennials have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, nearly double the rate among Baby Boomers.
Despite the fact that I’ve never been formally diagnosed with anxiety, I began going to therapy for it a few years ago to deal with work stress and other difficulties.
Two-thirds of millennials think their work performance has suffered as a result of worry, according to Forbes. Although a difficult job market and student debt are obvious sources of anxiety, even everyday activities can generate tension.
Toxic Habits: Overthinking
You are an overthinker.
Overthinking absolutely everything is one of the most destructive habits (and one with which I am all too familiar). The issue is that individuals spend more time thinking about the problem and feeling that this is helping them than really addressing it.
You Aren’t Sleeping Enough
Sleep deprivation not only makes you look and feel bad during the day, but it may also stress you out and make your anxiety worse. According to research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, not getting enough sleep increases your chances of developing “anticipatory worry.”
You Deliberately Press The Snooze Button
It’s difficult to resist hitting the snooze button repeatedly in the morning, and the temptation to sleep in is constantly present. Continuing this poor behaviour, on the other hand, might make you nervous in the morning since you’ll be behind schedule before you even get out of bed, according to Bustle.
You Consume an Excessive Amount of Caffeine
Caffeine boosts energy levels whether it’s in the form of coffee, tea, or soda. Caffeine, on the other hand, has been found to suppress serotonin levels in the brain, which causes people to become melancholy and irritable, according to Everyday Health.
Toxic Habits: Overthinking, You Sit On The Sofa All Day
Because I work from home, it’s basically in my job description to sit on the couch all day. Laziness and lack of physical exercise, on the other hand, are not helpful for anxiety.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, research suggests that physical exercise and mood are linked, which is why I make it a point to get up and out of the home every few hours. A brief walk outside, bringing the dog for a walk, or simply extending your legs might be beneficial.
You Consume Too Much Sugar
If you want to avoid anxiety, you should get rid of that hidden cache of sweets and sugar in your desk drawer. Although sweets might make us feel better temporarily, they only do so. According to Everyday Health, after the sugar is removed from the bloodstream, your energy level drops and you become more fatigued than before.
You Spend Too Much Time On Social Media
According to a research by the PEW Research Center, excessive social media use might lead to psychological stress. After all, checking Facebook every hour or so may be stressful, distracting, and cause serious FOMO as you keep track of what your friends, foes, and family are up to on a daily basis.
You are a procrastinator.
I joke that I am and have always been the queen of procrastination, frequently deferring deadlines until the last possible moment. However, not only can anxiety induce procrastination, but procrastination may also exacerbate anxiety. The constant sense of having a chore hovering over your head may be exhausting and cause worry.
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Read also: How to Know When You’re Overthinking?
