We all have our own habits, some good, some not so good. But did you know that certain habits can actually keep us from experiencing true happiness?
Psychology tells us that there are certain daily routines that can act like happiness roadblocks. And surprisingly, some of these habits are more common than you think.
In this article, I’ll be sharing eight daily habits that could be preventing you from finding your joy. These are the practices that people who never truly find happiness tend to engage in, according to research.
Let’s dive in, and hopefully, we can help you steer clear of these happiness hindrances.
1) Constant comparison
If you’re always comparing your life to others’, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Psychologists call this ‘social comparison theory’. It’s the idea that we determine our worth based on how we stack up against others.
Sounds familiar, right? We’ve all been there, scrolling through social media, feeling a pang of envy over someone else’s vacation photos or career success.
Here’s the thing, though: research shows that constantly comparing ourselves to others can seriously chip away at our happiness.
Why? Because it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. Especially in today’s digital age where it’s so easy to paint an idealized picture of our lives online.
If your daily routine involves checking up on what everyone else is doing and measuring yourself against them, it might be time to stop. This habit could be one of the things standing between you and true happiness.
2) Neglecting self-care
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been guilty of this one.
There was a time in my life when I was so focused on work and other responsibilities that I completely disregarded self-care. I’d skip meals, skimp on sleep, and barely had any time for relaxation or hobbies.
But here’s what I learned: neglecting self-care doesn’t do you any good. In fact, it was during this period that I felt the least happy.
Psychology backs this up. According to research, not taking care of our basic needs can lead to increased stress and decreased happiness. It can even affect our physical health.
If you’re regularly skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, or always putting others before yourself, it’s time to reassess.
It’s not selfish to prioritize your needs. Self-care is essential for our overall well-being and happiness. Take it from someone who learned it the hard way – me!
3) Holding on to grudges
Holding on to past hurts and grudges can be a serious happiness barrier.
It might feel satisfying in the moment to hold onto anger and resentment, but in the long run, it only ends up hurting us more.
Interestingly, a study conducted by Emory University found that holding onto grudges can affect our cardiovascular and nervous systems. Subjects who were asked to dwell on past betrayals had an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Moreover, fostering forgiveness can lead to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and major psychiatric disorders. In other words, letting go of grudges isn’t just good for your happiness but also for your physical health.
It’s not easy to forgive and forget, especially when the wounds are deep. But doing so can pave the way towards a happier you.
4) Overthinking everything
We’ve all had those nights where we can’t stop our minds from racing, analyzing every detail of a conversation, or worrying about an upcoming event.
Overthinking is mentally exhausting and can drain your happiness.
It’s because overthinking can trap us in a cycle of negative thoughts and prevent us from taking productive action.
So if you find yourself stuck in an overthinking loop, it might be time to employ some mindfulness techniques. These can help you stay present and prevent your thoughts from spiraling out of control.
Not everything needs to be analyzed and scrutinized. Sometimes, it’s best to let things be.
5) Ignoring emotional pain
Many of us have been taught to hide our pain, to put on a brave face and keep going no matter how we’re feeling inside.
But ignoring emotional pain is like slapping a band-aid on a deep wound and hoping it will heal. It’s not only ineffective, but it can also make things worse in the long run.
Our emotions are signals, telling us that something needs attention. Yet, it can be scary to face these emotions head-on. It’s easier to push them aside, bury them deep down, and pretend they don’t exist.
Facing our emotions might be painful in the short term, but it’s a necessary step on the road to true happiness. So next time you feel like hiding your emotional pain, remember that it’s okay to feel. It’s okay to seek help. You don’t have to go through it alone.
6) Chasing perfection
I used to be a perfectionist. I would spend hours agonizing over every little detail, making sure everything was just so. But no matter how hard I tried, it never seemed to be enough. I was never satisfied.
Chasing after perfection is a losing game. It’s an impossible standard that can’t be met, and it can seriously hamper your happiness.
Perfectionism can make you fear failure and stop you from taking risks or trying new things.
If you’re like I was, constantly striving for perfection and never feeling good enough, it might be time to let go of that need for control. Embrace the beauty of imperfection. Recognize that mistakes are a part of growth and learning.
Believe me, life becomes much more enjoyable when you stop aiming for perfect and start aiming for happy.
7) Avoiding change
Change can be scary. It means venturing into the unknown, stepping out of our comfort zone.
But avoiding change can keep us stuck in a rut, preventing us from growing and experiencing true happiness.
Individuals who are more open to experiencing new things tend to be happier. They’re more likely to embrace opportunities and less likely to feel trapped by their circumstances.
If your daily routine involves avoiding change at all costs, it’s time to reconsider.
Embrace the possibility of change, no matter how scary it might seem. After all, growth happens outside our comfort zone. And who knows? That change you’re dreading might just lead you to your happiest self.
8) Living in the past or future
Living in the past or future can rob us of our present joy.
If you’re always looking back at the “good old days” or constantly worrying about what the future may hold, you’re not truly living in the here and now.
People who spend more time thinking about the past or future are less likely to be happy. That’s because they’re missing out on the present moment – the only moment we truly have control over.
If you want to experience true happiness, start by focusing on the present. Embrace the now. After all, life is happening right this moment. Don’t let it pass you by.
