6 Mindless Habits That Cause Anxiety & How To Overcome Them (Actionable Plan)
Do you ever feel like the day-to-day of life has become a dizzying whirlwind, causing your body and mind to fill with anxiety?
You're not alone - all too often, our mindless habits can end up creating physical and mental stress. While outside stressors and impacts may be outside our control, and it’s not going to be possible to eliminate all anxiety and sources of stress, shifting these habits will absolutely make a big difference in your day-to-day mental health.
Moving forward, we'll discuss common habits that lead to feeling anxious and how you can take back control in order to live a more peaceful life.
So, grab yourself a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s get to know what is really making you stressed out - and of course, how to begin to solve it:
Mindless Habits That Cause Anxiety & Stress
Listed below are some of the mindless habits the majority of people indulge in that result in stress and anxiety:
Excessive Social Media Consumption
Constantly scrolling through social media exposes us to a barrage of filtered content, bringing comparison and triggering feelings of inadequacy.
It often showcases idealized versions of life, leading to unrealistic expectations and a diminished sense of self-worth.
Solution:
Mindful Consumption: Allocate specific times for social media usage and stick to them. Engage intentionally, focusing on meaningful interactions rather than mindless scrolling.
Curate Your Feed: Unfollow accounts that evoke negative emotions or perpetuate unrealistic standards in order to get rid of mindless habits that exhaust you. Follow pages that inspire and promote positivity.
Analog Activities: Dedicate time to offline activities—reading, hobbies, exercise, or socializing—to foster genuine connections and reduce reliance on screens.
2. Procrastination
Procrastination can result in heightened stress and anxiety as deadlines approach. It stems from various sources, including fear of failure, lack of motivation, or feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand.
Solution:
Break Tasks Down: Divide tasks into smaller, achievable steps. Focus on completing one step at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable deadlines and prioritize tasks. Celebrate each milestone reached to maintain motivation.
Address Underlying Reasons: Explore the reasons behind procrastination, such as perfectionism or fear of failure. Practice self-compassion and challenge negative self-talk.
3. Being In A Cluttered Environment
A cluttered environment is among the mindless habits that can contribute to stress, making it challenging to concentrate and relax. It reflects a lack of order, causing stress and anxiety.
Solution:
Declutter Regularly: Dedicate short periods regularly to organize and declutter spaces. Start small, focusing on one area at a time.
Organizational Systems: Establish systems for organization, such as categorizing items, labeling, and creating designated spaces for belongings.
Mindful Maintenance: Cultivate a habit of tidying up daily to prevent clutter from accumulating, promoting a sense of calm and control in your environment.
4. Mindless Snacking
Consuming snacks without awareness, especially in response to stress or boredom, can lead to unhealthy eating habits, weight gain, and feelings of guilt and anxiety.
Solution:
Mindful Eating: Pay attention to the sensory experience of eating. Chew slowly, savor flavors, and be aware of portion sizes.
Healthy Alternatives: Replace unhealthy snacks with nutritious options (mindful eating). Keep fruits, nuts, or other wholesome snacks readily available.
Emotional Awareness: Identify and address emotional triggers (emotional eating) for mindless snacking. Find alternative ways to cope with stress or boredom, such as going for a walk or practicing deep breathing.
5. Negative Self-Talk
Engaging in self-critical or negative thoughts undermines self-esteem and result in a pervasive sense of anxiety and inadequacy.
Negative self-talk is one of the major habits that make people feel stressed out occasionally.
Solution:
Cognitive Restructuring: Challenge negative thoughts by questioning their validity and replacing them with more balanced and positive perspectives.
Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a friend. Acknowledge mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Positive Affirmations: Integrate positive affirmations into your daily routine. Affirmations can reshape thought patterns and reinforce a more positive self-image.
6. Letting Little Tasks Pile Up
Allowing small tasks to accumulate creates a sense of chaos and can be overwhelming. It contributes to a constant undercurrent of stress.
Solution:
Prioritize and Plan: Create a to-do list, prioritize tasks, and plan your day. Focus on completing small tasks promptly to prevent them from accumulating.
The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from turning into larger stressors.
Delegate When Possible: Recognize when tasks can be delegated or shared. Don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.
Final Thoughts
All in all, our minds are very powerful. They can drive us to achieve incredible feats, or push us into the depths of despair.
Therefore it’s incredibly important that we recognize the habits we engage in that could negatively impact our mental health, and make a conscious effort to avoid them.
However, at the end of the day, all it takes is to recognize how our minds work and use it as an advantage.
Our minds can be our best friend if properly managed, so take some time today to take control over your life and start making small changes to get rid of mindless habits that cause stress and anxiety.