Life takes care of itself to present us with situations that cause pain and sadness, such as the loss of a loved one or financial problems. We cannot avoid these situations, and it is normal for ours emotional balance is sliced, at least until we reassemble the pieces. But the small decisions we make every day have a Butterfly Effect and affect our mood too, much more than we think. Our daily habits can make us happy or demoralize us and make us feel frustrated, irritable and empty. The good news is that being aware of these habits is the first step to getting rid of them.1. Walk with your shoulders hunched and dragging your feetOur brain is constantly fed by the sensations it receives through the body. This means that the postures and gestures we make serve as indicators of how we feel and can improve or worsen the mood. A study carried out by the University of Witten Herdecke revealed that when people walk with their backs and shoulders hunched, dragging their feet and making small movements with their arms, their mood worsens. The problem is that this pace is associated with depression and despair, so that it triggers negative memories and worries. The good news is that in that same experiment it was observed that when we walk upright by moving our arms vigorously, our mood improves almost instantly.
2. Photographing everything we encounter on our pathWith the advent of digital cameras we have stopped seeing the world through our eyes and we do so through the lens. But this tendency to photograph everything can put a heavy toll on your mood. It was confirmed by a curious study carried out at Fairfield University, in which participants were asked to visit a museum. Some could only watch, while others were allowed to take as many photos as they wanted. At the end of the visit, the people who took a lot of photos had a lot of difficulty remembering the objects they had photographed. In real life, this means that we may be missing out on those little details that make every moment unique and special. The camera lens is like a veil that obscures our experiences. Therefore, try to focus on the world and in what you feel, you will be much happier.
3. Procrastinate continuouslyThere is nothing more stressful than the burden of incomplete activities. Constantly remembering these open tasks is simply exhausting and exhausting. A study conducted at Case Western Reserve University has shown that, although at first procrastination frees us from the stress and anxiety generated by the activities we want to avoid, in the end, it significantly increases the level of tension, decreases our effectiveness and also weakens our immune systems, making us more prone to disease. Another study conducted at Carleton University revealed that the guilt and shame generated by procrastination prevent us from enjoying other activities. The solution is simple: don't postpone what you can do today until tomorrow.
4. Don't spend too much time aloneSpending time with friends and family is important, social contact is essential to prevent depression and be happier. However, not finding time to be alone can also take a lot of emotional toll on us. A curious study conducted at the McDonough School of Business revealed that people often overestimate how good they feel in the company of others, only to find that they can actually enjoy doing some things themselves much more. Many times we limit ourselves and don't do the things that would make us happy just because we don't have someone to share them with and we're afraid of what others might think of us, who might label us "weird" or "lonely". But spending time with yourself is immensely liberating and is very good for your emotional balance.
5. Constantly depend on the mobile phoneWhen was the last time you spent a whole day without your cell phone? If you don't remember it is a bad sign. Constantly depending on the mobile phone generates great tension and stress, even if we are not always aware of it. In fact, incoming calls and messages generate overstimulation that ends up affecting attention and memory. When you feel your phone vibrating or ringing, but it doesn't actually, it means that you constantly have this worry in your mind, it is a continuously lit alarm in your brain. And that doesn't help you relax. And according to a recent study conducted at Northwestern University Feinberg, the more time we spend using our cell phones, the more likely we are to suffer from depression. In fact, people with depression tripled the amount of time they used their cell phones, about 68 minutes a day. The solution is simple: schedule an electronic rest day once a week, or at least half a day.
6. Practice multitaskingWe have all practiced multitasking. But when doing many things together becomes a habit it can cause us serious problems. Contrary to popular belief, multitasking does not save time. A study conducted at the University of Utah revealed that drivers take longer to reach their destinations when they use their cell phones while driving. In fact, multitasking is estimated to reduce productivity by 40%. But the more serious problem is the emotional damage it causes. Research conducted at the University of California measured the heart rate of workers as they quietly went about their jobs and when they were interrupted by emails and phone calls that forced them to be constantly alert. Multitasking was found to increase stress and heart rate, with serious long-term health consequences. Therefore, it is always best to do one thing at a time, and focus on that activity and move on to the next one once finished.
7. Take life too seriouslyThere are people who get angry about everything, who are always ready to attack and have the complaint always ready. It is normal for us to get angry in some circumstances, but if it becomes our behavioral style we have a big problem. Taking life too seriously and getting angry about everything is like trying to hold a big balloon underwater. We will have to make a great effort because it will try to emerge continuously. So it is not surprising that a study conducted at the University of Michigan, which involved 696 volunteers over 17, found that both those who react by showing anger as those who feel it but repress it, run a three times greater risk of dying. prematurely. Fortunately, the solution is simple: laugh more and learn to deal with problems with humor.
