It’s one of those questions you ask yourself when you’re feeling down. “What should I do to feel better?” Often, the answer is simple: stop doing something that makes your life worse. You may not realize it, but there are many habits that negatively impact your mood and make you feel less than optimal. So here are four things to stop doing to feel your best!
1. Not getting enough sleep
The first thing to put an end to is not getting enough sleep. When your body doesn’t get the rest it needs, your physical and mental health can suffer over time.
For example, research shows that not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to gain weight and feel depressed. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night or just want a little help relaxing in the evening before bedtime, try drinking some chamomile tea.
This herbal tea has been used for many years as a natural remedy to calm people who are feeling a lot of stress. It doesn’t have caffeine either.
2. Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
Also, consider scaling back on caffeine if you want to feel at your best. While many people drink coffee or tea every day, it’s vital that this habit isn’t taking over your life and making it difficult for you to function without a morning cup of joe. Caffeine is addictive, meaning the more you drink, the less effective each serving will be at helping you relax.
Over time, this habit can make you irritable and cause other health problems like headaches, stomach aches, and insomnia. All things in moderation, as the saying goes.
Alcohol is also right up there on the list of things that only make you feel worse. Drinking less will not only make you feel more refreshed, but it will also help your liver and kidneys out immensely. If you’re having trouble cutting out alcoholic beverages cold turkey, try looking at a detox center for drug and alcohol abuse for professional help.
3. Stop smoking to feel at your best
No smoking is a good thing. While many people may view cigarette breaks as a time for mental relaxation, it’s essential that this habit isn’t causing damage to the rest of your body.
Smoking causes inflammation and has been linked with heart disease, chest pain, and high blood pressure. If quitting cold turkey seems like too much of an undertaking, consider asking your doctor about nicotine gum or patches, or another treatment method. They can make cutting back on cigarettes easier but still provide some level of relief if cravings are severe.
4. Sitting the whole day
Another thing that’s impacting your health negatively is sitting for too long during the day. While it may seem like a good idea to spend hours at work or home in front of the TV after a busy day, this behavior can take its toll on your body.
To help reduce how much time you spend seated every day, consider taking short walks around the office. Or, park further away from places when running errands to get some exercise.
Concluding words on feeling at your best
After making these changes, many people find themselves feeling happier and healthier overall. Try implementing one change at a time to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Cheers to living to your full potential!