Your physical, emotional and mental health are all connected, which means that certain behaviours and thoughts can affect your physical and mental health in the long run. Here are 5 habits that you need to let go of for the sake of your health.

Poor sleep habits

It may not look like it, but sleep’s really important for your health. While you’re asleep, your body tries repair and energise itself for the next day. So, forget the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” hustle culture and rather get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily to give your body the rest it needs.

Poor Diet

You’re allowed to treat yourself once in a while, but when you start replacing fresh fruit, vegetables and clean drinking water for fast food and fizzy drinks, you’re putting your body under a lot of strain. Think of it this way – you wouldn’t put juice in a car instead of petrol, so why deny your body the vitamins and minerals it needs?

Negative self-talk

Negative self-talk has a direct and negative impact on your mood, so when you give into negative thoughts, you’re actually harming your emotional and mental health.

Keep a positive self-talk journal. This way when negative thoughts creep up, you can stop them immediately and quickly replace them with true and positive statements about yourself.

Substance abuse

It’s okay to have a drink or two occasionally, but drinking all the time actually harms your brain in the long run. Keep in mind that alcohol’s a bad way to cope with negative emotions and alcohol abuse also increases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviour. So, drink responsibly and if you need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.

Risky sexual behaviour

Sex is only healthy when practiced the right way. Unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners at the same time, increase your chances of getting sexually transmitted infections (STI), HIV infection and unplanned pregnancy.

It’s really important to have conversations with your partner about safer sex habits and if you don’t know your status, go to your nearest health clinic and get tested. Remember to always carry condoms with you and use them every time you have sex.

If you’re doing one or more of the things listed, then it’s definitely time to make some changes and move towards a healthier lifestyle. For more information on making healthier decisions, give this article a read.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).