3 Common Addictions That Need to Be Stopped Now
By Genevieve Cunningham
When most of us think about addictions, we think about the really bad stuff. We think about drugs. We think about opiates. We think about cigarettes. But the harsh truth is that most of us have addictions. And many of these addictions, though not as damaging as drugs and alcohol, are still bad for our overall wellness. If you would like to live your best and healthiest life, take a look at these common addictions that we should all try to end now.
Social Media
Social media is definitely an addiction. We often get up in the morning and check it. And then we check it over and over again throughout the day. We use it as a way to stifle boredom or to avoid work. Why is it bad? Social media not only leads to wasting hours and hours of our time, but it also causes a decline in mental health. Either cut back or give it up together, even if for only a little while.
Sugar
Sugar is one of the most addictive legal substances in our lives. Our bodies begin to crave sugar. We may find ourselves reaching for a sweet treat more often. We may be adding a little more to food and drinks. Too much sugar can cause weight gain, headaches, blemishes on the skin, and other negative side effects. When you quit sugar, these problems may go away, and you may feel better overall, too. But giving up sugar is hard. Try to simply cut back and then keep cutting back until your sugar consumption is lower than ever before.
Instant Gratification
This is definitely a modern day problem. We expect things to happen right now. You may not even realize that you're addicted to this, but give some thought to your behavior. Do you get mad when Netflix stalls out and you have to watch the spinning circle while it loads? (Thanks extremely fast internet!) Do you refuse to buy things that take longer than two days to arrive? (Thanks Amazon Prime!) When we want something, we want it now. This is an addictive behavior that makes us irritable, frustrated, impatient, and illogical. If you want to feel a little more calm and overall happier with life, you need to end this addiction and learn some patience.
Addictions are real. They're problematic if we let them get out of control. But luckily, with some self-discipline and sometimes a little help, we can break these addictions and improve our health and life for the better. Watch for these addictions in your life, make some adjustments, and improve your habits starting today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Clemente, Calif.