7 Negative Habits That Everyone Should Break

Many people rush to think of all the things they should start doing for a better, healthier routine when it comes to self-improvement and that elusive sensation of self-love, but they rarely consider the habits they may cease for their immediate well-being.

Remove activities that drain you, which includes your poor habits, as part of developing your productivity routine. Whether you like it or not, unhealthy habits are harmful to your mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. While certain negative behaviors are more difficult to break than others, the reality remains that you must do so.

Here are 7 terrible habits to break immediately:

1. Putting yourself in the shoes of others

Humans are social creatures, and comparison has been prevalent throughout history. Unhappiness and low self-esteem result from excessive comparing. We grow irritated with ourselves or furious with others because we “aren’t good enough.” Social media platforms also help by constantly assaulting us with posts about our shortcomings. These apps are comparison traps that cause us to doubt ourselves.

Reverse the habit: focus on your strengths; use comparison as motivation instead; remember that insecurities are universal; you are special in your own way.

2. Taking full responsibility for everything

Taking responsibility demonstrates empathy. The apology isn’t necessarily remorseful; rather, it acknowledges and cares about someone else’s situation. Over-responsibility, on the other hand, eventually stops working and becomes a hindrance. It’s easy to slip into the trap of doing the majority of the work to ensure the end result is great, whether you’re working on a big project at work or preparing for a family reunion.

Reverse the habit: step back and tackle things one by one; allow yourself the opportunity to pursue interests and activities that are unrelated to your over-responsible to-do list

3. Keeping track of who disappoints you

Many people can overcome their disappointments in others. They find the strength to reflect on what has occurred to them, learn from the experience, and go forward. They emerge stronger from such disappointments.

Others, though, face difficulties in overcoming them. A sense of disappointment can sometimes paralyze you. You can feel as though you don’t know what to do or where to go next. It can also put you in a bad mood and cause you to transfer negative feelings onto others.

Reverse the habit: don’t let disappointment fester in you; know when to look for help; put things in perspective; breathe your way to a clear mind.

4. Checking your phone all the time

According to studies, the desire to check notifications and feeds has been shown to interfere with people’s ability to focus. Smartphone use has become habitual for some people, with negative effects in the long run.

Reverse the habit: keep yourself on a schedule; analyze how you use your phone and set limits; minimize notifications and get rid of distracting apps.

5. Break free from materialism

Unfortunately, we live in a very materialistic world. Despite the increasing riches of today’s society, social specialists claim that individuals are not necessarily happier. Why? Because, more than ever, the ancient saying that materialism breeds discontent holds true. While material things do make some people happy, it’s always not the same case for everyone.

Reverse the habit: practice gratitude; value experiences over possessions

6. Thinking a little too much

An unpleasant lifestyle of overthinking causes a cascade of stress hormones to be released, which raise blood pressure and blood sugar, reduce immunity, impair digestion, and make you feel ungrateful. Stress in modern living can lead to chronic stress and long-term health consequences, such as an increased risk of obesity and devouring high-fat, sugary meals. It also increases your chances of developing heart disease or diabetes.

Reverse the habit: differentiate between overthinking and helpful thinking; practice self-compassion; meditate.

7. Clinging to a grievance

Repressing and holding on to anger can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Even if you’re aware that your coworker intentionally excludes you from happy hour invitations or that a neighbor has disparaged you, revisiting these complaints will only make you feel worse.

Reverse the habit: write out your grievances; get to the root of the problem; loosen your grip and then let go.