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Any habit is an automatically reproducible action, without which our life would turn into chaos. The only problem is that not all habits are equally useful, and we are not always aware of this.
Like it or not, our whole life consists of habits. They allow us to cope with everyday tasks and do more. Only here some of them can be called toxic – they poison our lives, and we do not even notice it.
1. Make a lot of subscriptions for a “free trial period”
The pursuit of “free cheese” takes a toll on our financial health: signing up for a free trial period, we rarely think about the fact that sooner or later it will end. Then money will begin to be debited from our account – do you often remember in time to cancel your subscription? Most likely not, and this results in unexpected costs for services that you may not even use.
So right now, review all the services you subscribe to and discard the ones you don’t need. You will be surprised, but this will help you save a considerable amount every month.
2. Get instant satisfaction
It has long been proven that people are attracted to new things: when we see them, the brain begins to compare them with what we already have, and it immediately turns out that we have exactly what we have been missing all this time. Alas, the ability to instantly buy a new thing online deprives us of the chance to think carefully about whether we need it at all.
To stop momentarily “pecking” at the tempting offers of online stores, try to adhere to the following tactics: leave the item in the “basket” for at least a day. If, opening it the next day, you realize that you still need it, you can safely make a purchase. But there is a high chance that you will forget that you planned to buy something at all.
3. Develop codependency in relationships
Do you think that without a partner you are like without hands, and completely dependent on your loved one? Perhaps you find it difficult to make decisions on your own and be aware of exactly how you feel? Or do you desperately need your partner’s approval to feel whole and meaningful?
“If the goal of your life is to please everyone, sooner or later you will feel exhausted and powerless, if only because other people’s desires can harm you,” explains psychotherapist Beverly Ingel. “It’s okay to say no to others, especially if the other person is asking for something insignificant or if your views and opinions do not coincide.”
4. Lie to please others
“I’m almost there!”, “Yes, in the end it turned out not at all expensive”, “I don’t watch TV”, “I don’t care how I look”, “Yes, I also read this book”, “I’m fine” , “There was a traffic jam”, “I go to the gym four times a week” – often we pronounce these phrases automatically, without thinking, out of habit. Just to “fit” into the company, so that other people would accept us.
It seems to us that this is a harmless lie, a “white lie”, but what will happen if one day we are caught in a deception? Most likely, this will negatively affect our relations. Almost any lie comes with stress, pain, and anxiety in the long run, so it’s definitely not worth the risk. Don’t try to pretend to be someone else – look for people who will accept you for who you are.
5. Eat in front of a TV, monitor, smartphone screen
When we are distracted by a series, reading the news, or a book, we are more likely to overeat. And some scientists, including Masaru Emoto, argue that our state is affected by the emotions with which we take water and food. The experiences that watching a series or reading a friend’s tape cause in us do not always have a beneficial effect on digestion and our general well-being.
6. Use headphones for a long time
It would seem so convenient: wireless headphones give unlimited freedom of action and movement, and we willingly use them when going for a run, while doing household chores and on our way to work. But, alas, this can turn into unpleasant consequences for our health: it has been proven that prolonged use of headphones leads to hearing loss, the development of infections, dizziness and ringing in the ears.
7. Deal with skeptics
These people have a problem for every decision you make. They smash any of your ideas to smithereens. Instead of supporting you, they scare you with obstacles that may come your way. They may seem like they want the best for you, but they really don’t.
To recognize such a person in your environment, concentrate on your sense of self. If you suddenly begin to feel that you are a worthless, incapable person, perhaps a toxic interlocutor is next to you. Yes, our feelings are indeed our area of responsibility, and yet we cannot disagree with the fact that other people also influence us, and some of them should be kept away.
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Each of the above habits may seem insignificant and harmless. But in the long run, they can negatively affect life. Of course, getting rid of them will not be easy, but your sense of self is at stake. The sooner you give up everything that drains you, the sooner you will feel better and be able to start moving towards your goals.