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What would you say if I asked you what you thought damages mental health? While most people might think in terms of big things, like trauma, abuse, and so on, there are a lot of small things that we do that majorly impact our mental health.

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illustration of a sad unhappy girl standing under a big dark cloud and rain. Metaphor of depression, grief, psychological problems, fatigue

Many of these small things that destroy our mental health are quite common and even commonly accepted. However, if you want to find peace, and find change, it might be time to change some things. With that said, I understand that stopping these things may not entirely fix your mental health problems, but you most certainly will see an improvement.

Here are 7 small things that majorly impact your mental health.

1. Constant social media scrolling.

Social media scrolling is not good for your mental health, especially if you do it constantly. Yes, it’s fine to scroll sometimes, but if you find yourself spending hours on your phone it can impact your mental health. The book “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World is an excellent guide for those looking to reclaim their time and attention from the grip of social media.

2. Comparing yourself to others.

It’s far too easy to compare yourself to others these days. One-click on an app, and you are instantly able to access anyone you want, along with their highlight reel. However, at the end of the day, you are comparing yourself to what others allow you to see, not the reality. To combat the harmful effects of comparison, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown is a powerful read. This book encourages self-acceptance and authenticity, providing a healthy perspective on self-worth.

3. Procrastinating.

We often procrastinate, thinking it makes life easier. But, procrastination is no hack. Instead, it merely causes you more anxiety as you wait until the last moment to get the task done. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time is a practical guide that offers strategies to overcome procrastination and enhance productivity.

4. Eating a nutrient-lacking diet.

No, a perfect diet won’t solve all of your problems, but having a nutrient-dense diet can most certainly help. Think about it: your body needs to be in good shape to handle what life throws at it and needs rest to heal. Nutrition-dense food ensures your body is working at peak performance.

5. Avoid exercise.

It might seem like exercise is stressful, but actually, exercise can make your stress much easier to deal with. Not only does it build resilience, but it also encourages your body to create endorphins and produce serotonin, both of which are necessary for good mental health.

6. Perfectionism.

Perfection isn’t possible. So, if your aim is perfection, you will be surely disappointed every time. Present Perfect: A Mindfulness Approach to Letting Go of Perfectionism and the Need for Control is a helpful resource for those struggling with perfectionist tendencies. It provides mindfulness techniques to cultivate self-compassion and acceptance.

7. Too much alcohol.

Alcohol is one of those things that we do, thinking it will benefit us. Yes, momentarily, alcohol may ease anxiety, but if you are drinking it often, it can cause anxiety and depression. Remember, alcohol is something that only helps in moderation, not excess.