FACTORS THAT AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH

UNHEALTHY HABITS

Suppressing your emotions

• Anger is linked to low self-esteem, depression, obesity, high blood pressure, etc

• Acknowledge and confront your emotions

Letting stress pile up

• Not expressing or over-analyzing your situation is unhealthy

• The hormone, cortisol, is released in the brain when stressed, and when released in large amounts, it prevents the brain from functioning properly

• Constant levels of stress increases the possibilities of getting sick

Having constant negative thoughts

• Harmful to self-esteem and emotional wellbeing

• Stops motivation to set and accomplish goals

• Recognize when you're having negative thoughts, and consider talking to a mental health professional

Being on social media too much

• Comparisons with people online can affect self-esteem and cause a cycle of negative thoughts

• Comparisons with people online can affect self-esteem and cause a cycle of negative thoughts

Not being true to yourself

• Doing what others tell you to do and living your life for others

• Suppresses your needs and wants

Having bad posture

• Upright posture can have a positive effect on emotional wellbeing (e.g. by reducing fatigue)

• Having an upright posture can increase positive effects, reduce fatigue, and decrease self-focus in people with mild to moderate depression