Sometimes, trying to relax only makes things worse. The following 7 habits are just those that do not bring the desired relaxation. They are definitely not the best way to cope with anxiety and stress.
Denial of stress
Ignoring a problem is impossible to solve, and stress is no exception. Instead of avoiding emotions, experts suggest adjusting your well-being in any attractive (but healthy!) way: for example, “disperse” the stress hormone with an intense workout or a calm walk in the fresh air, breathing practice or a shower. If the stress level is off the charts, allow yourself to take a much-needed break – this is not weakness, but your ability to sensibly assess your own condition and take action in time.
Departure to work
Taking on additional responsibilities to distract yourself is not much different from ignoring a problem. However, it has its own peculiarities. When you take on an additional load for which you do not have the resources, over time you feel not relief, but disappointment, and reproach yourself for failure. In the meantime, it is worth focusing on the main thing, setting priorities and, if possible, abandoning all unimportant tasks.
Watching TV
Often, the willingness to watch TV for days is not so much connected with a love of TV shows and movies, but with an avoidance of reality, and can be a form of procrastination. The longer you put things off, the higher your stress level. Even if two seasons of a series in a row can distract you from anxious thoughts, sooner or later you will have to face the harsh reality, where the main problem is aggravated by lost time and a feeling of guilt for your behavior.
Binge eating
As tempting as it may be to feel like Bridget Jones and ease your worries with a bucket of ice cream, you’ll only end up worrying more over time. While a few extra pounds won’t upset you, an eating disorder can become a serious problem that may require serious work on yourself, including with a specialist.
Shopping
Trying to cheer yourself up by shopping is as bad a practice as eating away stress. Any abuse will not lead to anything good. A well-established habit of pleasing yourself with a new thing can lead to full-fledged shopaholism with all the ensuing consequences: closets full of useless things and empty credit cards that were once received “just in case.”
The habit of asking for advice
Perhaps, consulting with an authoritative person in your eyes will really help to move the matter forward and finally make a decision, but try not to make a common mistake: seek advice from a person knowledgeable in the matter, and do not try to arrange a mass vote among amateurs. The more opposing opinions you hear, the more difficult it will be for you to hear yourself, and anxiety will only grow.
Pseudo-positive thinking
Trying to practice positive thinking can backfire if you don’t really see the world in bright colors, but try to forbid yourself from thinking negative thoughts. In this case, the so-called “pink elephant problem” can arise — you will think about exactly what you forbade yourself from thinking about. It’s like being asked not to think about a pink elephant for the next 30 seconds. Experts suggest “letting go” of thoughts by imagining a conveyor belt. Unless you have a compelling reason to interfere with its operation, allow the disturbing thought to automatically go away, making room for others.