The state of your mental health should be a priority as it influences your relationship with others, your career success, and your physical health to name just a few areas.
A healthy mental state is characterized by things like positive thinking, strong self-esteem, and effective stress management while a poor mental state is indicated by things like thoughts of self-harm, anxiety, and depression. If you fall in the latter category, knowing what things negatively affect your mental health is the first step in protecting yourself from them.
Here are 4 common causes of poor mental health.
Debt
Money problems are one of the most common sources of poor mental health. If you’re in debt, it can feel like you’ll never get ahead no matter how hard you work or how much you save. This financial insecurity can quickly lead to other problems such as insomnia, and poor eating, further deteriorating your mental state.
Luckily, there are certain steps you can take to manage financial insecurity. For example, consider negotiating your debt with your creditors. Many are willing to work with you to create a payment plan that works better for your budget. You can also look into taking free financial literacy courses offered by local organizations or even the government to get a better handle on your money.
Loneliness
While it’s normal to feel lonely from time to time, chronic loneliness can have serious implications for mental health. And loneliness doesn’t only refer to feelings of being alone, but also to feelings of not belonging or being disconnected from others.
Loneliness not only negatively affects mental health by increasing stress levels but it can also lead to physical health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity.
If you’re feeling lonely, try reaching out to friends and family, signing up for online activity classes for painting, traditional ceramics, candle making, etc, or volunteering. Doing these things can help alleviate loneliness by giving you a sense of purpose and connection.
Sleep Deprivation
Not getting enough sleep can have some pretty serious consequences for mental health including difficulty concentrating, moodiness, irritability, depression, and anxiety.
To protect your mental health from the negative impacts of sleep deprivation, first, try to establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible even on weekends. Second, create a relaxing bedtime routine such as winding down for 30 minutes before sleep with a warm cup of milk as you read. Finally, avoid using electronics in bed. Instead, create a dark and quiet environment to optimize conditions for sleeping.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
When faced with difficult situations, some people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or using drugs as a way to deal with their problems. While these might offer some temporary relief, in the long run, things will only get worse.
Substance abuse not only leads to addiction but also exacerbates mental health issues. If you’re struggling to cope with difficult life events, consider talking to a therapist who can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Making small changes in your life to protect your mental health can have a big impact. Start by avoiding these 4 common causes of poor mental health and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier mind.
Shift Frequency © 2022 – 4 Things That Negatively Impact
Your Mental Health