12 Seemingly Harmless Habits that Are Actually Stressing You Out

Rebecca Lewis April 04, 2014

Stress – it’s our number one enemy. And a very stressful fact is that we can never get away from it completely. Stress is always there – waiting for that perfect timing to ruin our life and make it miserable.

Good thing – it is possible to lessen the impact of stress on our health and well-being. Meditation and therapy are among the most effective ways to deal with stress. The problem is that no matter what techniques you use to combat stress, they would be useless if you are stuck into stress-inducing habits. You may not realise it but the following common habits could be stressing you out to the max.

You’re holding yourself back. Not letting yourself cry when you want to is like confining all those unwanted emotions inside, which could be hurting your physical and mental health. Sometimes, you just have to “let it go”, so goes a popular song. Find someone who will listen to you without judgement. This can really lighten up the load you’re keeping inside.

You never disconnect. If you’re spending most of your time on your devices, you won’t be free from stress. Numerous studies show that people who are constantly plugged in to social media are more likely to get stressed. So make sure you give yourself more time away from your laptop or mobile phone. Connect with nature instead. Feel the air as it touches your skin, look at the clear blue sky above you, and watch the trees sway in harmony. With nature, you will surely find peace and serenity.

You’re sitting all day. Being sedentary is one of the most common causes of stress and many other illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. In a study published in the journal Health Psychology, participants who finished the 10-week exercise programme developed cognitive function, psychological function and physical endurance. When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that improve your mood and lower the impact of stress on your body. Even low-intensity exercises have been shown to lower stress levels.

You’re always trying to be perfect. Perfectionists are often the most stressed out people because they strive hard to make everything right, even if it isn’t possible. The world is full of imperfection, and you just got to deal with it. Instead of focusing on the perfect, focus on the good. Learn how to improve yourself, accept failures, set realistic goals and expectations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

You ruminate, a lot. No problem can be solved if you do nothing but obsess about it. Ruminating on anxious thoughts only worsen anxiety. Research has shown that rumination is linked to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and binge-eating. To avoid rumination, try to engage in activities that foster positive thoughts. That could be anything from a fun sport or a meditative practice like yoga. And instead of playing that negative experience in your mind over and over again, focus on the solution.

You’re dealing with stressed people. When our dear friend or family member is stressed or anxious, we tend to experience the same thing. Experts call it “secondhand stress”. You might find yourself trying to rescue someone from his or her difficulties that you have almost forgotten to overlook your well-being. It is important that you find freedom from a stressful burden that is not your own, and remove yourself from the situation, and assess what is really going on. It doesn’t mean that you have to walk away and stop helping that person. You just have to set boundaries and remember that it is not you, but another person is going through a stressful situation.

You don’t get enough sleep. Having enough time for shuteye is important to fight stress. Lack of sleep affects your cognitive function and mood, and lowers your energy, which makes you more stressed over time. Make sure you’re having 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Set a regular bedtime and waking schedule. And remember that stress and sleep may go hand in hand. If you are stressed, you may find it hard to fall asleep. And if you lack sleep, you are more likely to be stressed. If you are experiencing sleep problems, it can be helpful to seek professional advice.

You’re working too much. Spending countless hours in your workstation may be the key to a rewarding career and a prosperous life but it can also pave the way towards stress, chronic illness and unhappiness. Often, the more we try to earn, the more we spend less time doing things that give us genuine happiness and relaxation. Practising work-life balance is the key. Engage in activities that make you feel good, whether it’s your favourite pastime or a new craft. Just what some people say – work hard, play harder!

You shop, a lot. You might think that shopping is a good way to deal with stress but it may be doing you just the opposite. According to a study by Michigan State University, participants who scored as materialistic in the experiment had an increased likelihood of experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms and had a higher chance of compulsive or impulsive shopping. Instead of alleviating stress, researchers found that materialism tend to intensify it.

You’re too busy. Is 24 hours not enough for you to finish your daily tasks? Maybe you are running all day trying to balance your tasks at home and at work but still, you can’t manage to tick everything off your to-do list. It could be because you are not setting realistic goals, or you have poor time management skills and not setting your priorities. Learning how to manage your time well can really reduce your stress levels for obvious reasons. Handle each task one at a time to save energy and make sure you are getting good results.

You don’t accept things as they are. Some people do not realise or deny the fact that some things are out of their control. If you try to change something that you really can’t change, you are creating unnecessary stress. There are circumstances that we have to face and accept, no matter how difficult they are.

You fail to take time out and relax. Relaxation will help your body return to its normal healthy state. Set a daily schedule for things that relax you. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, or else, you might end up dealing with serious health problems. Love yourself and take care of your body.

Stress is all around us. We can’t completely get away from it but we can certainly do something to avoid its harmful effects. If you relate with some of these stress-inducing habits, now is the time that you consider replacing them with positive ones.

Have a less stressful weekend!