The way we think, act, and feel can greatly impact our mental health. While some habits can be beneficial, there are others that can slowly drain our energy and cause negative effects.

In this post, we’ll discuss some common hidden draining habits that you need to be aware of if you want to improve your mental health.
Let’s start with the analogy of a leaky faucet. When there’s a small drip, it might not seem like a big deal at first. But if the leak continues without being fixed, it can eventually turn into a steady stream that can cause significant damage. Similarly, small habits that we do every day might not seem like a big deal, but if they’re consistently draining our energy and negatively impacting our mental health, they can create larger problems over time.
As an example, let’s consider the postural habit of slouching. While it might feel comfortable and natural to slump in our chairs, this habit can actually cause a variety of physical and mental health symptoms like headaches, back pain, and negative mood states. The same is true for mental posture and how we respond to situations. If we consistently focus on negative thinking patterns or default to negative solutions or behaviors, it can sap our energy and create negative mental habits.
Another analogy that can help us understand draining habits is comparing your mental energy to a personal bank account. Just like a bank account, we have a finite amount of energy that we can deposit and withdraw as we go about our day. Certain habits, like getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking time to relax, will contribute to positive deposits in our mental bank account. Unfortunately, there are other habits that can turn into withdrawals by draining our energy. This can include working too long without taking a break, scrolling through social media feeds and news for too long, or avoiding things that lead us to stress or anxiety.
While some of these habits may feel necessary or even addictive in the moment, they can create further negative effects over time. A great example of this is compulsively checking our phones. When we constantly check our notifications and browse social media, we interrupt the flow of our work and distract ourselves. This leads to us being less productive in other areas, fragmenting our focus, and creating a need to constantly check in. Our brains are driven by the reward centers, so when we create fun, short-term enjoyment like that of a Facebook notification, we cause a positive kick in the brain. However, the broader impact is that we become even more distracted and fragmented, leaving less attention available to address our priorities in life. It can become a habit that leads to hyperarousal and addiction over time, ultimately leaving us tired and frustrated.
Finally, metaphor like how we nourish and take care of a plant can highlight how we also need to practice self-care to avoid draining habits and improve our mental health. A plant needs proper sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow and thrive. Similarly, we need to nourish ourselves with proper sleep, relaxation, and self-reflection to cultivate good mental health. Neglect or mistreatment of ourselves and our bodies can lead to dissatisfaction, burnout, and illness.
In conclusion, it’s important to identify the habits that are draining our energy and affecting our mental health. Slowly but steadily draining behaviors create a compound effect of negative outcomes over time. With mindfulness, it is possible to recognize these habits and replace them with habits that contribute to positive mental health. By employing helpful analogies like these and staying vigilant in keeping an eye on our self-care habits, we can improve our wellbeing and experience the many benefits of having good mental health.
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