How to Quit the Envy for Better Mental Health
By Genevieve Cunnigham
Envy. We all have a touch of it, and we all know that it’s not good. But what if being envious is actually damaging to our health? In some cases, it might be. Too much envy can lead to a decrease in mental health. But how do we stop wanting things that we don’t have? We don’t … but we do learn to manage it. If you need to quit the envy in your life in order to protect your long-term mental wellness, take a look at these tips.
Get Off of Social Media
There is no greater source of envy in today’s world than social media. It’s the worst. Everyone posts their greatest accomplishments -- the new job, the new car, the perfect hair -- but they don’t post the work it took to get there. You don’t see the late nights at the office, the massive debt behind the car, or the 20 outtakes before that perfect picture. If you’re trying to reduce envy and improve mental health, just log off.
Evaluate Your Needs
When we are envious of what others have, it’s often based on wants and not needs. Sure, we all want the Range Rover, million dollar home, and Gucci bag. But we don’t need these things, and that’s a huge difference. If you find yourself envying the belongings of others, do a quick intake of what you need versus what you want. If you don’t need it, let the envy subside. Evaluating your needs will often show you that you have far more than you need, and the rest can wait.
Adjust Expectations
Something about modern day media has everyone thinking that a mansion and Escalade are possible at the age of 21. While this might be a possibility for a very small minority, it’s not the case for the vast majority of people. Most people have to work hard, save tons, and make a plan of action to have anything in life. And this is a good thing. If you are afraid that you have far less than the majority, adjust your expectations to meet reality. This one single step will likely improve mental health and diminish envy more than anything else.
Envy is definitely a hard thing to give up, but it is possible. Use these tips to get a handle on your jealous tendencies, and subsequently improve your mental health at the same time. With a little dedication and patience, you may find that you feel better than ever, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Happy Valley, Ore.