Top 5 Bad Habits That Sabotages Your Well-Being

If you have something else to do but have been scrolling through this article then hey, welcome to world of bad habits.

What is your instant reaction when you listen to the word Habit ??

Next time, notice your reaction … The word ‘Habit’ triggers our mind to improve ourselves and reminds us of all the negativity.

So if you are on this page with the same feeling then, I know how it feels. 

The Mariam Webster definition for ‘Habits’ is ; 

Habit is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously.  

We have been conditioned to believe this but.. 

Let me give you a different perspective to view habits.

Imagine, habit as a syringe with which you are injecting yourself.

You have the authority to decide if you want to kill yourself or heal yourself.

What is the possible situation ??

• You can overdose yourself.  
• Either with good or bad antibiotics (bad habits). 
• You have the option to heal yourself or slow poison yourself.

Here are 10 habits that we are injecting in our life which is like a slow poison : 

1. Rushing in the Morning 

This might have not even crossed your mind but believe me when I say. 

It matters. 

We are living in an age where we use technology  to make our life easy and with sheer honesty … It does! 

But, we give technology the authority to micro manage our life (honestly, at this point, it’s macro manage). 

We all use our phones to put ourselves to sleep or we don’t sleep until late as we are indulging in watching series or movies which eventually lead to an unhealthy pattern of sleep but we all have to go for work in the morning.

And the moment we hear the alarm and we just check our phone with our squinty eyes… we realize that we have snoozed it more than 10 times and we are running late as usual.

What I want you to notice here is the immediate panic that we get ..

Every morning if we start our day on this note then there is no good chance of you having a productive day.

You may ask … How can I fix this ??

A slow morning is better than no morning.

Here are five micro changes that can lead to amazing results:

1. Sleep early.
2. Wake up earlier than usual.
3. Make yourself a good breakfast.
4. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read.
5. Prepare yourself calmly for the day ahead.

2. Scrolling  

“ Everyday I go back from work and think of getting some things done … I just lie down for 5 min and watch reels but suddenly it’s time to have dinner and get back to work again.”

This statement, made by one of my colleagues, resonates with many of us. I feel the same way.

 I’m not saying, Put a ban on your scrolling. We are living in an age where some of us earn because we scroll.

But it’s about how much and when we scroll … 

I know people who scroll while they’re dumping , if you are not aware this is a potential way to attract hemorrhoids. 

There is a billion dollar answer to why you can’t stop scrolling. I have written a detailed article on it. Read it here.

How can you stop this ??

• If possible, log off from the platforms you scroll for a few days.
• Set a time limit and stick to it.
• Never start and end your day with it. 
• Break the phone on your head if you exceed the time limit.(It works!)

3. Comparison 

The biggest reason that we don’t appreciate ourselves is because we compare. You might say, ‘No Mrinal , I never do that.’

But consider this, 

• Everytime you see a friend buying the car that has been on your bucket list since you were 17.
• Eveerytime you scroll through an influencer who is younger than you and bought their own house.
• Everytime your colleague gets a promotion that you had an eye for.

The list can go onnnn but each time when you come across such situations, there is a tickle in your stomach and for a quick moment you question your accomplishments. 

Here is how you can deal with it ?

1. Take Regular Social Media Detoxes: Stepping away from social media can help you focus on your own journey without constant comparisons.
2. Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Acknowledge these feelings instead of suppressing them.
3. Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on and appreciate what you have achieved and the positive aspects of your life.
4. Celebrate Others’ Wins: Learn to genuinely appreciate and celebrate the successes of others. It helps shift your focus from envy to admiration.

4. Stalking 

I regularly take breaks from Instagram, but the day I log in, I find myself spending hours scrolling and catching up on what’s happening in the world around me. This behavior is the very reason I took a break in the first place, but as soon as I log back in, my priorities shift.

Stalking people on social media gives us a significant dopamine release, but it also disrupts our patterns and makes us question our status in society. Agree or disagree, we all present a masked version of ourselves on Instagram and other platforms.

As the saying goes, “If you didn’t Instagram it, you didn’t do it!”

Unlearn these patterns and embrace a private life. Here are some methods to help you:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Decide on specific times and durations for social media use and stick to them to avoid endless scrolling.
• Engage in Offline Activities: Replace social media time with hobbies, exercise, or face-to-face interactions to foster a healthier lifestyle.
• Reflect on Your Motives: Ask yourself why you are checking social media. Is it boredom, procrastination, or something else? 
• Practice Digital Detoxes: Regularly take longer breaks from social media to reset and focus on your real-life priorities.

5. Overthinking 

If you’ve noticed, you must have realized that all these points—comparison, overthinking, stalking—are interconnected. The biggest backlash we face from practicing these habits is the habit of overthinking.

When we compare ourselves to others, we overthink our own worth and achievements. When we stalk people on social media, we overthink our social status and life choices.

 Overthinking is the common thread that ties these habits together, and it can lead to anxiety, stress, and a diminished sense of self-worth.

How can you deal with overthinking?

1. Identify Triggers: Recognize what specifically triggers your overthinking. Is it social media? Certain people or situations? Identifying these triggers can help you avoid or manage them better.
2. Develop a Healthy Routine: Create a daily routine that includes time for relaxation, hobbies, and self-care. Structure can help keep your mind focused and reduce idle overthinking.
3. Talk it Out: Sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist can provide perspective and reduce the intensity of overthinking.
4. Challenge Negative Thoughts: When you catch yourself overthinking, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself if they are realistic and if they are worth your mental energy.

Even after trying all of these things if you are still struggling with it .. reach out for help and go to therapy, there is no shame in taking care of yourself. 

Conclusion 

To bring it all together and wrap up, I would say one last thing: Don’t start every habit at once. Don’t try to fix your life all at once. Instead, take baby steps. With time, you will feel the change and find contentment in where you are.