Modern Lifestyle impacting mental wellness

• Lifestyle, 4 min read

In a blink of an eye, the world has changed and, so did our lifestyle. We were so immersed in the chase that we failed to guard our mental health.

The current modern trendy lifestyle is affecting us negatively, especially the youth. What contributes to this lifestyle? Unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, overuse of tech are the primary reasons that impact our mental health.

Unhealthy diet

Do we even care about what we feed to our bodies in this busy world? The amount of to-go's and junk consumption has increased immensely. The food and your mood are always co-related. A good diet generates a positive attitude that reflects your emotions, whereas a junk diet creates an awry mood and a negative attitude. What if you got rejected in a job interview because of your negative attitude? What if the reason was the junk you ate at lunch causing your stomach to be upset and a negative mood? Take some time to realise the importance of a healthy diet for physical and mental wellbeing.

Smoking

Many people smoke when they feel anxious or stressed. Research has shown that smoking increases anxiety and stress. We commit ourselves to temporary relief, which causes additional damage as withdrawal symptoms. Tobacco causes the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine generates a positive feeling, so smokers tend to increase their intake during depression, stress or anxiety. In the long run, the brain stops generating its own dopamine thus driving the smokers to become an addict and in turn create a cycle of mental destruction. Quitting smoking or any addiction is not easy. But it is possible :)

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse among our youth has increased 10 folds in recent years. Something that starts as an experiment takes root inside to create chaos. Many start abusing drugs just to fit in. Bad circle, lack of supervision, early life trauma could be a few reasons why children fall into the dark pit of drugs. In a long run, one might start building a negative outlook on life. Loss of motivation, anxiety and depression are other effects. Our life journey is based on the perception we build and if the foundation ruptures then the journey becomes catastrophic.

Overuse of Tech

Technology has helped us progress and made our lives easier in so many ways. But along with that, there are a few negative effects of it on our society. Internet addiction is becoming a major concern among teenagers. Overuse of the internet has been linked to depression, low self-esteem and loneliness problems. Children should be given the phone at the right age for the right amount of screen time. Increasing use from childhood hinders social skills and self-development. Can we stop technology? No! We cannot. Can we help our kids and teenagers from becoming internet addicts? Yes, we can. Good parenting and supervision can help them grow with a proper balance.