Toxic habits to me are habits you are practising that have a negative and harmful effect on your physical or mental health. You can have positive and toxic habits that can impact your life and help boost or stop you from succeeding. There are ways you can track your positive habits with habit trackers. In order to be successful and confident you must work through the toxic habits and mindsets that are holding you back.
I am definitely guilty of practising some of these habits, however I am consciously working on these areas. Toxic habits can not only effect your mental health but can bring so much negativity into your life, removing that negativity can help you to boost self-esteem and confidence. Are you guilty of these toxic habits? I am sharing 5 toxic habits you should quit immediately and start being successful.
1. Comparing yourself to others
It is natural to look at others in similar situations and compare. However, there will be someone who could be comparing themselves to you. Comparison can create such a negative mindset which can affect your thought process. Whenever I look to compare to another, I think about all that I achieved, or I focus on what I have achieved. The other way you can deal with comparison is to use that energy to motivate you, be inspired by that person.
2. Not believing in yourself
If you do not believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else too? Believing in yourself and your abilities, helps boost your self confidence and motivation to be successful. It can be hard to believe in yourself, but you can start small.
I like to use a page in my bullet journal, where I focus on my positive attributes. I found this really helpful.
Photo by Jealous Weekend on Unsplash
3. Getting little or no sleep
Having a regular routine has so many health benefits. After doing some research I didn’t realise just how many benefits it can give you,
- Reduces stress and can improve mood.
- Lowers your risk of depression.
- Can improve concentration and productivity.
- Lowers your risk of serious health problems e,g, heart disease.
They are just a few of benefits of having a healthy sleep routine. If you have trouble sleeping start off small, keep away from technology and try to avoid caffeinated drinks late in the afternoon. Make sleep a priority.
4. Surrounding yourself with negative and unsupportive people
Spending time with negative people can be taxing on your mental health it can also causes stress and anxiety. If you have unsupportive people in your life, it can effect your self confidence. Where possible try to elimanate these negative influences from your life, it can help motivate you and you will have people in your life who want to celebrate in your success.
Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash
5. Not eating well or enough
Similarly to not enough sleep, not eating enough or well enough can cause lack of concentration, tiredness which can lead to muscle aches and a whole host of other problems. You only have one body and it is important to look after it. I am guilty of this sometimes I will reach for junk food or a takeaway, skip a meal if I am busy. I am making a conscious effort to choose healthier choices.
Are you trying to quit any of these toxic habits? I’d love to hear in the comments.
LiveNotExist says
This is 5 things I have changed this last 4 years and my life is so much better😍 Good post👌
That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting!
❤️❤️❤️
Love these 5 tips to get yourself out of a funk. Thanks for this post!
Thank you! Can you link your blog so I can read!
I have a really bad habit of picking my finger nails. Not chewing on them, but picking. It is a really bad habit that I just can’t seem to break. I’ve tried so many things, but I feel like nothing I do will make me stop picking. Which also co-insides not believing in yourself. Any tips? It’s something I have been doing for so long now, from at least when I was 5. Sometimes it peals the skin off my finger and it bleeds everywhere. I just wish I could stop it, but most of the time I don’t even realise that I’m doing it. It’s so frustrating!
Maybe speak to a doctor and see if there is anything you can do to help. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I pick at my nails too. Certain things trigger it such as boredom or when I’m studying. It helps to keep my hands busy with something else such as paper or play-doh. I also tap my feet when I’m studying or stuck sitting in one spot for too long. Having non-vocal, instrumental music with a good rhythm/beat helps.
Such an interesting blog post x
Thanks!
Great post 🙂
Thank you!
Welcome 🙂
I love this blog post Lauren 😍😍
I have been cutting out toxic habits from my own life and found inspiration in your words.
That’s great! I am glad they help! 😊
💖💖💖
I have really tried to stop comparing myself to others this year, and it’s really worked wonders on my mental health. I feel like I’m now in my own little bubble, and it’s great xo
Makeup Muddle
I am still working on it. That’s great! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I feel these are all great topics of discussion right now. I really enjoyed reading this because I’ve juggled them all myself.
Thank you for reading and commenting! I hope you manage to tackle these! X
I hope to! It’s going to be a personal goal.
Such simple suggestions on paper but something I bet so many of us are guilty of doing, almost daily.
Thank you for sharing, a really valuable reminder x x
I am definitely guilty! Thank you for reading and commenting! Xx
This is a really helpful post, Lauren! Sometimes the little changes can make such a big difference in our lives. I’ve recently started going to bed earlier, and I do feel so much more productive and energetic the next day. I love the idea of using your bullet journal to list positive attributes, that is a great way to boost confidence and self-belief when we are not feeling it. Thank you for sharing these suggestions, really inspiring post! <3 xxx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you Bexa for reading and commenting! Yes, little things like that can make a big difference! Going to bed earlier is something I really need to start doing xxx
Great tips, like your lists of can, will, am and done.
Thank you for reading and commenting! Can you link your blog post so I can read c
livingeveryday2017.wordpress
These are helpful tips especially because I’ve been so stressed lately. I shared my morning and bedtime routine on my blog, daily routines help me handle stress ♡
—Athena Christy
https://athenachristy.wordpress.com/
That’s great you have found ways to help with that! Thank you for reading and commenting!
So agree with number 1! It’s such a toxic thing that can ruin even the good things in your life.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Kudos to this, with comparison being high on the toxic list. I have killed so much happiness with needless comparison, and it sucks away my belief in myself.
I will be honest and admit it has been hard to stop my mind from automatically making comparisons, and I still fail sometimes but I am getting better at loving myself, and I am happier. 🙂
It is worth the work.
It is hard, but noticing when you are doing it is the first step to tackling how much you do it. I am guilty of it also! But try and reflect on all that I have achieved x
I hate comparing myself to others but I can’t seem to stop doing it. That’s why I quit social media. I’m in a better headspace when I’m not focusing on other people and instead, focusing on what’s in front of me aka. My own life. Sometimes you physically have to stop yourself if nothing else seems to work. As for a previous commenter, I too pick at my nails. I noticed I pick at them when I’m bored, such as when I’m studying. I also pull my hair out when I’m studying, but only when I’m studying. Certain tasks seem to trigger these habits.
I try not to compare but it is so hard. It’s great you realised social media was that trigger for you and took it away x
It’s hard because it requires a ton of introspection and discipline not to compare yourself to others both online and offline. Even with good intentions, all of us end up playing the compare and despair game. I want to share a quote with you:
“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” -Oprah
That quote is very true!
Great post! I definitely agree with points 1 and 2 💛 This reminds me I really need to work on my sleep pattern to improve my productivity as I’m always tired 🙈
Yeah I am always tired too. I need to start with some early nights I think x
Me too, I think I’m gonna try to go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night, as whenever I go to bed early I find I just can’t sleep x
That’s a good idea! X
Comparing yourself to others is a futile use of your time and does nothing but drag you down. And I very much agree, doing this is a very toxic habit. I used to do this too but now, I just look up to others out of admiration and inspiration instead of feeling sorry for myself. Funny how simply re-framing your mindset can work wonders!
Changing the way you look at something can change your whole outlook. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I’m working on breaking the habit of comparing myself to others. It’s the feeling of insecurity, envious and discontented with one’s own life, it’s a thief of joy. It’s important to evaluate why do you compare yourself to others.
Definitely robs you of joy! Thank you for reading and commenting!
My pleasure.
Comparing yourself to others is such a dangerous habit it doesn’t help and just makes you feel bad about yourself! Also not getting enough sleep is my number 1 toxic habit! I just can never fit everything into one day (probably because I procrastinate so much) but I always stay up late and get up early and wonder why I am so tired all the time!
Sleep is something I need to work on! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick yep I do all 5 of those 😬🤦♂️
I’m always trying, or saying i will make the changes.
I agree with so many of these. I used to be so bad at constantly comparing myself to others. It’s still something I need to work on sometimes. I think we’re all guilty of some of these things sometimes x
Sophie
Definitely are, all we can do is be aware of them and try our best to tackle them. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I agree with some of these! I’m awful with the sleeping one because of my job and working nights haha x
Thank you for reading and commenting. Oh bless you! Can you link your blog so I can read and comment x
Oh wow did you write this about me? I am definitely guilty of so many of these…especially #1!!! But at least being aware of it is the first step towards getting better. I love those lists you’ve made. It definitely helps to put things into perspective.
Thank you for reading and commenting! Definitely noticing it and changing it is important!
This is a great post. One of the bad habits I’ve stopped is drinking Diet Coke all the time. And I feel so much better for it.
That’s a great thing! Thank you for reading and commenting!
These are some very helpful tips for sure! I definitely need to believe in my self more!
Mel
Thank you for reading and commenting! X
These are so so true and you’re gonna help so many people with these tips!
-Kyra
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Getting a good sleep makes such a huge difference! Great post X
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Thank you for reading and commenting!
YES! Being kinder to myself has been a constant work in progress. I think the last year has been the year where I’ve seen the biggest growth in my confidence and self-estreem. While it’s not a linear process and there are some days that I don’t feel that way at all. I definitely have to say that your 5 habits are a great start to the journey to love ourselves. Great post xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Definitely, self love is important and toxic habits like these can really help personal growth. Thank you for reading and commenting! Xxx
I can relate to these! I need to remember to focus on what I’ve achieved rather than what I haven’t managed to do…yet.
Definitely focusing on the positive is better for your mental health. Thank you for reading and commenting!
THese are spot on. And doing great in one can help with the next and the next… It’s a habit that exponentially creates a better, healthier you!
Thank you for reading and commenting! Can you link your blognx
Can you link your blog*
I really needed to read this post today! I’m always comparing every aspect of myself to others. One thing I loved is the list of positives rather than negatives. Thank you for the daily dose of inspiration xxx
Thank you for reading and commenting! Focusing on the positives is better than the negatives! Xxx
I agree with comparing with others. We often get so busy comparing ourselves to other people but we forget we are enough capable of doing everything in this life.
Thank you for reading and commenting! Can you link your blog x
Great post! I especially love the I can, I am, I’ve done, I will exercise – that is so helpful x
Thank you for reading and commenting! X
That is so true! And we all feel that way, even someone you think is successful will probably be comparing themselves to someone else. That’s why I like to remind myself of everything I have achieved! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I definitely compare myself to others a bit too much, it’s something I try to work on but always seem to fall back into!
Same! It’s great you keep working on it! Thank you for sharing
I agree!! I’m so proud of myself for ending a friendship that was so unsupportive and took a big amount of my energy. I don’t think anyone should waste their precious time on people who don’t really care and take a lot of your mind and energy. Great post!!
I did the same! It is very liberating isn’t it!! That’s so good! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Ah i am guilty of not getting enough sleep!
Great post!
🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting! That’s great you are learning to believe in yourself more, that’s so important xx
I need to be consistent with my sleep schedule. loved your post. It made me think what I’m doing wrong.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
I’m guilty of pretty much all of these at times – but especially the comparing yourself one! I’m the first person to compare anyone’s success against my own and its so difficult to snap out of it once you start. Definitely something I’m working on but it’s easier said than done! Xx
I hope you continue to work on that aspect! X
Love these tips! Thanks to sharing ❤️
Thank you! ❤️
I agree with everything on that list. Especially comparing yourself to others won’t lead you anywhere. We have to remember that our greatest competition is ourselves. Great post
Getting no sleep is so much more detrimental to our mental health than a lot of people think! I feel so anxious when I don’t get any sleep. Thank you for making people aware of this xx
It really is! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Yes! Totally agree! It’s so easy to compare yourself with others with all this social media around us. Sometimes you just got to turn it off!
I’m guilty of number 1. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others especially to people my age. When I see my peers more successful, than me, they have bright future, goals, travels a lot. I can’t helped but get envious and compare my life to them. I need to stop comparing myself because everyone is different. We all have different skills and paths and we just need to follow them. 🙂
Hope you can visit my blog!
Yeah I do it too. You just have to remember you have so much to offer and reflect on all you have achieved! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I’m guilty of doing pretty much all of these things, especially comparing myself to others and we should all take a step back and remember we are who we are for a reason – we are good enough! Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be nicer to ourselves!
Thank you for reading and commenting! X
I’m guilty of doing many of the above to be honest but it’s something that I am changing and working on. Last year, I surrounded myself with positive people and said goodbye to negative people and I’m so happy that I did. Such a great post and something I needed to hear today 🙂
That’s great you did that, it really does make a difference! Thank you for reading and commenting. Please can you link your blog so I can read it x
I’ve been making a real effort this year not to compare myself to others and to focus on what I can do and the sort of person I am so these first two prompts really struck home for me. Baby steps, I don’t always succeed, but it’s great to be reminded. And wow, massive congrats on 100 hours of volunteering, Lauren, that’s amazing! xxx
Thank you that’s really kind of you! I think for everyone these habits are a working progress but it’s great we all acknowledging them xxx
I can totally identify with each and every item on this list!
This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you <3
You are welcome! Thank you for reading 💛