Stress is a common condition that affects the majority of individuals. While short-term stress is acceptable, hours of continuous anxiety can lead to chronic stress and various health issues.

It’s crucial to take care of your body and practice healthy habits. However, some stressful habits can damage your well-being and compromise your overall health. In this article, we highlight some stressful habits that could ruin your body and measures to alleviate these habits.

1. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is a vital part of a healthy body; getting a decent night’s sleep can help reduce stress levels significantly. However, it’s not just about the quantity of sleep you get, but the quality of sleep also.

People who suffer from insomnia or sleep disorders often experience high levels of anxiety, stress, and fatigue.

Here are some ways to improve your sleep habits:.

Establish a sleep routine
Create a sleep-conducive environment (cool, dark, and quiet)
Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
Decrease screen time usage before bedtime

2. Overwhelming Workloads

Work-related stress is one of the most common causes of chronic stress. It affects individuals in different ways, leading to physical and emotional problems like headaches, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression.

Here are some ways to manage your work-related stress:.

Delegate tasks
Organize your work schedule
Take regular breaks
Talk to your supervisor or human resources department for support

3. Overindulging in Junk Food

Having a balanced diet is essential for a healthy body and mind. Overindulging in foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and low energy levels.

When you are stressed, it’s tempting to grab a quick unhealthy snack to make you feel better. But this only provides temporary comfort, and in the long-term, damaging to your physical health.

To improve your diet and prevent stress, include:.

Fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Lean proteins (chicken, fish, beans)
Healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts)

4. Drinking too much Alcohol

Alcohol is often regarded as a temporary stress reliever. But overindulging in alcohol can lead to more problems in the long term, which can cause chronic illnesses, impact mental health, and damage brain function.

To minimize the alcohol-related stress and damage to your body, consider:.

Having a non-drinking day
Reducing your alcohol intake per session
Drinking a glass of water after each unit of alcohol
Finding alternative stress-relieving methods (like talking to someone or participating in exercise)

5. Neglecting Exercise

Exercise is essential for a healthy body and mind. It helps to reduce stress, improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles, and provides you with more energy.

However, when you are stressed, it’s easy to push aside exercise activities and focus on other ‘more pressing’ issues. This habit can lead to more problems long-term, such as weight gain, an increase in blood pressure, and low mood.

To incorporate more exercises and tackle stress in the process, try:.

Participating in simple physical activities around your home
Taking a short walk close to your home
Joining a class (like yoga or Pilates)
Setting and achieving realistic exercise goals

6. Binge-watching TV Shows

Watching your favorite series on TV can be an enjoyable leisure activity. However, binge-watching till late hours of the night can lead to insomnia and disrupt your sleep pattern. This condition can also lead to increased anxiety levels and low mood.

To enjoy your favorite TV shows and prevent increased stress levels, you could:.

Set a time limit to watch your series
Take frequent breaks between episodes
Try to switch off your screens 30 minutes before bedtime
Engage in physical activities with your loved ones as an alternative leisure activity

7. Multitasking

Some people believe that multitasking can help them be more productive, but it can lead to overburdening the brain and increased stress.

Multitasking can impair brain function, impacting decision making abilities and in the long-term can lead to poor memory and concentration.

To reduce the risk of multitasking-related stress, consider:.

Setting and prioritizing realistic goals
Organize your work schedule
Avoiding unnecessary distractions (phone, internet, social media)
Focusing time and attention on one task at a time

Social isolation is a common issue for people who experience stress and anxiety.

Staying at home and avoiding social gatherings can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and drastic decreases in an individual’s mental health and happiness levels.

To prevent social isolation and improve your mental and physical health consider:.

Staying in touch with friends and family – via your phone or video calls
Joining online social groups with like-minded individuals
Taking up a hobby that connects you with other people
Participating in volunteer activities in your local area

9. Ignoring the Signs of Stress

Many people often trivialize the signs of stress, thinking they will eventually disappear. In reality, ignoring and neglecting the earliest signs of stress can worsen the condition and lead to more severe health issues in the long-term.

To better manage your stress and avoid worsening symptoms, see your healthcare provider and prioritize:.

Setting and prioritizing realistic goals
Taking regular break days away from work
Eat healthily and exercise regularly
Find time to practice relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, or deep breathing)

10. Not Seeking Support

When managed correctly, stress can be a temporary condition. However, prolonged stress symptoms over extended periods can damage your overall health long term.

Seeking support and reaching out to someone you trust can help alleviate feelings of isolation and pressure, reducing levels of stress.

Here’s how to seek support:.