10 Harmful Habits That Are Stealing Your Peace of Mind

Like Agent Cooper, I adore a darn good cup of coffee. A morning without the familiar aroma of a hot brew wafting through the office feels like a missed opportunity. However, according to a sociological study of people aged 20 to 45, our beloved habits can often indicate the presence of stress. The more triggers we have, the more varied the harm we inflict on our bodies. Today, I want to share with you 10 harmful habits and how to break free from them.

1. Caffeine Overload

While coffee is generally harmless and enjoyable, caffeine itself has a prolonged effect on the body. It takes an average of 5 to 6 hours to metabolize caffeine, which impairs the body’s ability to absorb adenosine—a chemical that calms the body and enhances alertness. This can lead to sleep problems, increased adrenaline and dopamine levels, leaving you feeling inexplicably anxious.

Solution: Limit your caffeine intake after 2 PM.

2. Impulse Spending

Using stress as an excuse for shopping sprees? Think again. Excessive spending can lead to financial problems, which are known to dampen your mood rather than lift it.

Solution: Be more mindful with your money. Avoid unnecessary trips to the mall. If you need a change in your daily routine, try eliminating something mundane like laundry or social media scrolling.

3. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Seeking truth in wine too often can disrupt your brain’s “normal settings,” altering its chemistry. This leads to the release of excessive cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone. When this hormonal balance is disrupted, it affects your body’s stress resilience. Long-term alcohol consumption can result in high anxiety levels, so moderation is key.

Solution: Limit your alcohol intake to one drink per day. We recommend a glass of champagne for a touch of elegance.

4. Overeating or Undereating

One in four Americans turns to food to cope with stress, and every 62 minutes, someone in the world dies from an eating disorder. In Russia, 57% of people suffer from excessive weight. Stress-related eating manifests in two ways: craving carbohydrates and sugar or a complete loss of appetite. While sugar may temporarily boost your mood, glucose levels drop after about two hours. Poor diet leads to health deterioration, weight gain, malnutrition, and chronic fatigue.

Solution: Maintain stable blood sugar levels by eating a balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner with healthy snacks in between, such as granola bars or carrot sticks.

5. Over-reliance on Medication

Painkillers, sleeping pills, and muscle relaxants are like band-aids on a gaping wound. They may slow the bleeding, but what you really need are stitches. While medications can help, they often mask symptoms rather than address the root cause if your issues are chronic.

Solution: If you suffer from frequent headaches, consider whether lack of sleep might be the cause and consult a doctor. For sleep problems and muscle tension, try a good workout or massage.

6. Smoking

According to the WHO, 5 million people die each year from smoking-related diseases. This harmful habit impairs concentration as progressive arterial and venous blockages lead to oxygen deprivation in the brain. Like caffeine, nicotine is a stimulant that prevents relaxation.

Solution: Quitting smoking is tough. If you feel overwhelmed, seek support from friends or family. Sharing your feelings and problems can make a big difference. It might also help to talk to someone who has successfully quit smoking. Learn more about quitting smoking here.

7. Lack of Sleep

Research from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland shows that adults in developed countries are chronically sleep-deprived. This leads to impaired cognitive functions, weakened immunity, reduced productivity, and lost motivation. Pulling an all-nighter to finish work might do more harm than good.

Solution: Turn off phone notifications and create a comfortable sleep environment. Consider using sleep masks or comfortable pajamas to enhance your sleep quality.

8. Overworking

If you think working more will help you manage stress, think again. Overworked individuals make more mistakes and are less productive.

Solution: Work smarter, not longer. Take regular breaks, go for walks, and return to your tasks with renewed focus and productivity.

9. Hiding Under the Covers

When stressed, it’s tempting to stay in bed for days. While this escapism might feel good temporarily, prolonged social withdrawal can be a sign of impending depression.

Solution: Reach out to friends or family for relaxation and support.

10. Avoiding Problems

Sometimes, problems seem so overwhelming that we prefer to sweep them under the rug and forget about them. However, ignoring stress won’t make it disappear.

Solution: Determine how long you can postpone addressing the problem without consequences, and return to it by that deadline. Stop convincing yourself that ignoring stress will make it go away.