The Ontario Broker - Volume 21, Issue 4 - 18

LIFESTYLE
OF WORSENING YOUR
MENTAL HEALTH
6 Ways
W
e typically share tips on improving some
aspect of our lives-embracing change, making
our homes a zen space, supporting small
businesses in our communities. This issue,
we're listing the things you might already be
doing that are holding back your happiness.
SLEEP IRREGULAR HOURS
BURY YOUR FEELINGS
Studies have shown that consistent, sufficient sleep has so many
health benefits including promoting mental and emotional
resilience, whereas bad sleep habits are linked to depression and
anxiety. But what are you going to do-not stay up rewatching
Brooklyn Nine-Nine? What if the next one is a Halloween episode?
Suppressing your emotions is only a temporary solution.
And holding things in can cause additional health problems.
Talking through your feelings with a professional or someone
you trust allows you to process things in a safer, more
productive way, rather than having it all come out at once.
It's definitely preferable to the standard alternative method
-creating a huge scene at your cousin's wedding.
STARE AT YOUR PHONE
Social media provides non-stop news algorithmically-selected to
raise your blood pressure and displays envy-inducing, deceptively
curated versions of other people's lives. No surprise, neither
are great for you. Beyond that, filling pockets of boredom by
constantly checking our phones prevents us from using our
downtime to process our thoughts and feelings-but isn't there
an app that can do that for us?
JUST SIT THERE
It's no secret that activity is good for your physical health,
but it's extremely important for your mental health too.
Sedentary lifestyles have been shown to contribute to stress,
depression and diminished well-being. You might not be
able to run from your problems, but trying to do just that is
better than curling up on the couch beside them.
SPREAD YOURSELF TOO THIN
Saying yes and agreeing to plans feels good in the moment,
but constantly filling your schedule can wear you down
over time, leading to exhaustion and a weakened immune
system. The constant feeling of not being in control of your
time and not allowing yourself space to recharge will have
similarly harmful effects on your mental state. Start saying
no and replace your FOMO with BOTO (Benefits Of Time Off).
DWELL ON THE PAST
Overthinking and obsessing about past events, also called
rumination, is especially common among the anxiety prone.
Since we can't change the past, this is obviously not productive
and can lead to neglecting the present-day situation. Difficult
as it can be, when these thoughts come to mind, try to focus on
where you're headed next. After all, you can't drive safely while
staring in the rear-view mirror.
18
THE ONTARIO BROKER
The Ontario Broker - Volume 21, Issue 4

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ontario Broker - Volume 21, Issue 4
