20 common habits you don’t realize cause you stress

It might not seem like that big of a deal to pour yourself another cup of coffee when you’re in the moment, especially if you’ve got a lot going on or didn’t get enough sleep the night before, but drinking too much coffee can get you over-caffeinated, and too much caffeine puts lots of stress on your body. 

Okay, you might already know this one, but spending too much time on your phone causes stress to your body in many sneaky ways. It strains your eyes, can hurt your posture, and can even cause arthritis. Put your phone in a different room and engage in some real-world habits instead. 

Scrolling social media isn’t great for your mental health either, even if you’re doing it on the computer. It can serve as a huge distraction, which causes stress later on when you have to rush to get things done, and it can cause you to compare yourself to others, which is an entirely different type of stress that’s just as harmful. 

Procrastinating might feel good at the moment, but it’s a major cause of stress. It’s a tough habit to break, but better time management can lead to a healthier life. 

Cleaning is very few people’s favorite task, but it’s very important. Not only is it good for your physical health, but it’s good for your mental health, too. When your space is cluttered and dirty, it causes you stress that you might not even realize you have. At the very least, keeping your space picked up can ease your stress. 

Biting your nails is often used as a form of stress relief, but it can also cause you to become even more stressed. If it’s your go-to when you’re not feeling your best, see if you can find a replacement habit that actually relieves stress rather than causing more. 

It’s easy to think that the worst thing that can come from not getting enough sleep is being tired the following day, but there are far more consequences that stem from poor sleep. When you’re sleeping, your body is recovering from all the stress and activity it incurred while you were awake. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body doesn’t adequately recuperate. 

Sometimes, just the thought of standing up is stressful, but in reality, staying seated causes much more stress than getting up and walking around. Sitting for too long is bad for your circulation, and many of your organs, and not treating them properly causes stress to the body. 

We often hear how exercising relieves stress, but we don’t usually consider that avoiding it can cause stress, too. Find forms of physical activity that you enjoy enough to remain consistent to avoid a double whammy of stress. 

Ordering takeout can relieve stress at times, like on the days when you’re too swamped to cook, but when it becomes your go-to for lunch and dinner, it can cause you lots of stress. Most takeout is highly processed and doesn’t contain enough nutrients. Get into the habit of eating home-cooked foods to manage your stress levels better. 

While ordering takeout isn’t great for your stress levels, neither is skipping meals. It’s important to keep your body fueled properly, so the next time you’re considering skipping a meal because you’re stressed, remind yourself that that can exacerbate what you’re trying to reduce. 

Smoking is terrible for your body. While many people do turn to it for stress relief, it’s another coping mechanism that only furthers the problem. And it’s not just cigarettes. Vaping causes stress to your body, too. 

All things in moderation. It’s no big deal to have sweets here and there, but when you incorporate too much sugar into your diet, you become sluggish and cause extra stress to your body. 

Alcohol isn’t a good coping mechanism, either. It’s perhaps the most classic go-to after a tough day or bad week, all in the name of taking the edge off, but alcohol only stands to cause more stress to your body. It’s fine in moderation, but too much of it will only harm you. 

Many of us struggle to drink enough water throughout the day, but it’s a bad habit that you need to address because a lack of hydration causes stress to your body. Without enough water, your body isn’t able to carry out its functions properly. 

It’s good to stay up-to-date on current events, but watching the news too much can cause you stress. It’s no secret that the state of the world isn’t great, so once you’ve gotten through the headlines, consume something a little less dreadful. 

Working hard is important, but so is having boundaries. If you take your work home with you, you’re likely causing yourself lots of undue stress. Even if you work from home, be sure to step away from your work at times to avoid stress. 

Again, everything in moderation. It’s good to unwind with an episode or two of your favorite show, but watching too much content isn’t good for you. Be sure to limit your binge-watching so that one of your favorite hobbies doesn’t cause you stress. 

Overspending isn’t helpful to your stress levels, either. And it’s easy to do without realizing. Spending a few extra dollars here and there might not seem detrimental, but it adds up. Get a handle on your budget and factor in the cost of some fun treats here and there that won’t break the bank. 

Catastrophizing, or blowing things out of proportion, might be a habit you don’t even realize you have. The next time something small goes wrong, reflect on your subsequent train of thought. If you find that you’re catastrophizing, work to change your thought habits so you’re not stressing yourself out over nothing.