Are These Bad Habits Making You Moody, Anxious & Depressed?

Improper Sleeping Habits

Poor sleeping habits, such as staying up too late and getting up early, sleep deprivation, and constant sleep disturbance, often caused by technology and the surrounding environment, can negatively impact a person’s emotional and mental wellbeing more than they realize. Sleep disturbance is one of the many symptoms of depression, often causing a negative sleep cycle to take place. Sleep disturbance can be either difficulty falling and staying asleep, or the complete opposite of sleeping too much.

Chronic sleep deprivation is another common trigger of depression and anxiety that directly impacts an individual’s mood, and can at times, feel like a never-ending cycle. Establishing good sleeping habits can significantly help to stop a negative sleep cycle in its tracks, especially unhealthy sleeping habits associated with sleep deprivation and depression. Individuals are encouraged to keep sleep and wake times consistent, shutting off all electronics and technology a couple of hours prior to bedtime, and eliminating the temptation by keeping all electronics outside of the bedroom as well.

Social Isolation

When life becomes overwhelming and stressful, it can be quite easy for someone to completely shut off the world and become isolated from those in their life. This makes it increasingly difficult to reach out for social support when just leaving the house feels daunting. Having meaningful social support though is what is necessary during this time, as it can greatly help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Research has proven that having social support, especially when going through a difficult time in one’s life, can moderate environmental and genetic vulnerabilities for numerous mental conditions by providing effective coping strategies and building a strong resilience to stress. To clarify, social support is more than just a text message or quick phone call. Spending time with your support system of loved ones can help an individual dealing with depression, moodiness or anxiety, and can help the individual work through their thoughts and feelings in a healthy environment that encourages positivity rather than negativity.