5 Bad Habits That Silently Contribute To Stress

Our day-to-day habits which if kept unchecked can add up to the pre-existing untreated stress. With the help of our expert, we have listed down a few habits to keep note of. 
1. Poor Eating Habits

Stating an obvious correlation between stress and food, our expert said, Poor eating habits create room for developing Unhealthy relationships with food like dieting, guilt, calorie obsession etc. Henceforth, the body is devoid of basic essential vitamins and nutrients. Poor nutrition impacts mood and energy, increasing stress. Citing an example, she said, Vitamin B12 Deficiencies are linked to fatigue, depression, and poor memory. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with depression and seasonal affective disorder.

2. Excessive Social Media Usage

Social media undoubtedly is a great space to connect with people but can we rely on it for credibility? Users often miss this point and believe in what is posted on social media, which can generate stress in them. For easy understanding, our expert listed down how it affects one’s mental health. 
1. Constant comparisons – Seeing carefully curated profiles and posts of others encourages negative social comparisons and envy, lowering self-esteem.
2. Distorted perceptions – Like in case of beauty product brands. Exposure to unrealistic portrayals of success and beauty creates skewed perceptions of how life “should” be. 
 
4. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) – The constant connectedness breeds anxiety that others are having more fun or fulfilling experiences.
6. Superficial relationships – we often assume our virtual interactions can replace our in person interactions. Research suggests otherwise. Lack of genuine in-person social interaction impacts quality social connectedness important for mood.
3. Lack Of Physical Activity

According to our expert, lack of physical exercise cuts serotonin synthesis, the key neurotransmitter regulating mood, sociability, appetite and sleep. This negatively impacts stress resilience. She added, “Inactivity contributes to weight gain and obesity which have been linked to higher inflammation, oxidative stress and mood disorders.” Exercising boosts the feel-good endorphins neurotransmitters that help counteract stress. Lack of exercise removes our coping strategy.

4. Not Going Out In Sunlight

Talking about the importance of sunlight citing history, our expert said, “I am someone who functions with the sun. Historically speaking, our bodies also function with the sunlight. We are the most active in the morning as our digestive fire is the highest. Our digestive fire sets down along with sunset and so does our body. Pushing our body against this natural rhythm causes harm to our wellbeing.” Yes, we are all like JAADU and we all need sunlight for survival. Shedding light on the benefits of sunshine in our lives, our expert said, “Sunlight promotes serotonin production which is a key neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, digestion and sleep quality. Serotonin boosts feelings of calmness.” 
5. Playing Video Games

You might be playing video games as a leisure activity. You might think it is playing a role of a stress buster for you, but is it? I’m sorry to break it to you but, video games may add to your stress levels. On this our expert said, “Intense gaming concentrates high levels of sensory input, cognitive load, hyper-focus, emotional investment which cause mental overstimulation and fatigue. Games that can not be easily stopped conflict with responsibilities at work, school or in relationships contributing negative stress when things do not get done. It also displaces your in-person social activities leading to loneliness and feeling disconnected and depressed.”
All the above mentioned habits induce stress if left untreated, they can further lead to chronic mental health problems. 
Our expert said, “Unmanaged stress often breeds negative thought patterns like worry, self-criticism, catastrophizing, and rumination about the past or future. These thought habits fuel anxiety.  It can lower one’s threshold for getting stressed out by subsequent difficulties. As a result, even small trivial triggers are anxiety provoking.”

Habits To Reduce Stress
1. Practice mindfulness meditation, even 5-10 minutes a day can impart calmness.
2. Keep a gratitude journal
3. Use affirmations. 
4. Have personal outlets – Whether hiking, reading, painting or dancing, build in time for recreational outlets you find mentally absorbing and soothing.
5. Maintain supportive relationships and develop a strong support system.
6. Ask help if and when required.
7. daily physical exercise – yoga, gym, Pilates, jogging, calisthenics.