23 Mind-Melting Habits You Absolutely Must Dodge

17. Loud Music Through Earbuds

Cranking up the volume on your earbuds may feel like a great way to zone out, but over time, it can quietly degrade your brain’s performance. Loud, prolonged exposure to sound directly in the ear canal can cause irreversible hearing damage—and that’s just the beginning. Hearing loss has been strongly linked to cognitive decline, with studies showing that individuals with even mild hearing impairment are more likely to develop dementia. When your brain has to strain to process distorted or incomplete auditory information, it diverts energy away from higher-order functions like memory and learning. Over time, this cognitive load can lead to mental fatigue and decreased performance. Protect your hearing—and your brain—by keeping the volume below 60% and taking listening breaks. Investing in noise-canceling headphones can also help by allowing you to listen at lower volumes.

18. Overreliance on GPS

GPS is undeniably convenient, but constantly outsourcing your sense of direction to a device may come at a hidden cost to your brain. The hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation, becomes less active when you follow step-by-step directions instead of actively navigating your environment. Over time, this passive behavior can lead to hippocampal atrophy, a risk factor for cognitive decline and even dementia. Research from University College London found that people who rely heavily on GPS have significantly reduced engagement in brain regions that are typically active during wayfinding. To keep your spatial memory sharp, challenge yourself to navigate by memory, use visual cues, or plan routes ahead of time. Walking or driving without relying on your device—especially in familiar neighborhoods—is like a mini workout for your brain. Reclaim your inner compass and give your hippocampus the mental exercise it needs to stay healthy and alert.