If you’ve been feeling confused, stuck, and frustrated, my major question to you would be…
When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your habits and asked yourself if they were helping or hurting?
Seriously, when was it? Because being aware of your toxic habits is the first step to gaining the clarity and direction you’ve been looking for.
In this article, we’re going to shed light on the seven toxic habits that could be sabotaging your mental clarity. By saying goodbye to these habits, you can pave the way for a clearer, more focused mind.
Let’s get started!
1) Getting too little sleep
You know that feeling when you’ve had a night of tossing and turning and the next day your brain feels like it’s running in slow motion?
Yes, that’s because you didn’t get enough sleep.
The brain needs a certain amount of sleep to perform at its best. In fact, research has shown that people who slept poorly had worse memory and cognitive skills over time.
This is because during sleep, your brain actively sorts and stores memories. So, when you don’t get enough sleep, it’s like your brain’s filing system is in disarray.
You might forget where you put your phone or have trouble recalling your friend’s name. It’s the brain’s version of a messy desk.
In addition to this, making decisions becomes a struggle. A choice that should take a minute turns into an hour-long internal debate.
You might also find yourself easily distracted by the smallest things, like a door closing, a dog barking, or a passing car.
Similarly, it’s impossible to have a clear mind when you have a habit of…
2) Neglecting your own living space
When you neglect your own living space to the point that you become desensitized to the chaos around you, it can lead to anxiety and overwhelm, making it nearly impossible to think clearly or make rational decisions.
Putting off cleaning might be a shallow issue for some, but when it transforms into a toxic habit, it could be a symptom of an underlying emotional or psychological issue.
The truth is, your external reality is simply a mirror of your inner world. The clutter around you represents your inability to take control of your life, and willpower alone isn’t enough to address this.
What you need is to be guided by someone who’s done the inner work himself, so you can get to the root of your limiting beliefs, safely meet your shadows, and cultivate new beliefs that support your overall expansion.
If this resonates with you and you wish to be fully held in a FREE yet powerful masterclass, check out Free Your Mind by Shaman Rudá Iandê.
A word of warning though: the healing journey can be equally gut-wrenching as it is rewarding, so give yourself some grace and stop watching if it becomes too confronting.
This way, you can maintain a clear mind and avoid…
3) Consuming excessive amounts of online content
Have you ever noticed that when you put too many things in one basket, it gets overcrowded and stuff starts falling out?
That’s what happens when you consume an excessive amount of information—your brain can’t handle it all, and you begin to feel overwhelmed.
The thing about digital content is that it’s all fun and games in the beginning. You’re just scrolling through social media, watching funny cat videos, and catching up on the latest news and memes.
But then hours pass, and you can’t seem to pull yourself away. Your brain’s being flooded with a constant stream of information, and you’re loving it—or so you think.
What often goes unnoticed is that online content is designed to be short and attention-grabbing. Constantly switching between topics can shorten your attention span.
This information overload can also lead to symptoms such as brain fog, increased irritability, anxiety, and a sense of time being wasted.
As a result, you might compensate for it by…
4) Working long hours without taking breaks
Imagine trying to think clearly with an overworked, sluggish brain—it’s just not possible.
Just like your body, the brain needs breaks in between tasks to recharge. But oftentimes, you might decide to push it anyway and skip these breaks.
The result? You may overlook details, make typos, or miscalculate numbers.
As a writer, I can attest to the power of taking breaks to overcome writer’s block. When I’m on the grind non-stop, I can’t come up with new ideas.
Creativity needs space and time to flourish, so I find that the best way to get unstuck is to stop writing altogether, go outside, and move my body.
Ironically, my productivity also suffers when I force myself to do more. And I know I’m not alone.
You might think you’re being super productive, but in reality, your brain is working less efficiently.
The same thing happens when you’re…
5) Multitasking
I’m sure that other professions, such as chef, nurse, or customer representative, will agree that multitasking can be a time-efficient way to tackle their extensive to-do list.
Personally, I also find that it comes in handy when I’m dealing with repetitive or mindless tasks. For instance, I love listening to a podcast while doing the dishes or folding laundry because it can make those chores way more bearable.
However, multitasking can also become a toxic habit in the sense that it can hinder your ability to think clearly. You see, the brain is pretty incredible, but it also has limitations.
The brain is wired to focus on one thing at a time, so when you try to do two things at once, you’re not actually giving any task the full attention it deserves.
Multitasking can also take a toll on your memory. When your attention is divided, your brain struggles to consolidate information properly.
So, even if you manage to complete a bunch of tasks simultaneously, you might forget crucial information shortly afterward.
It’s like pouring water into a leaky bucket—not much stays in.
That’s why it’s important to give your brain the space to focus and think deeply. Otherwise, you’ll be surprised at how quickly things can escalate when you’re…
6) Always reacting negatively without taking a moment to reflect
First of all, it’s exhausting.
When you have a habit of reacting negatively without giving yourself some time to reflect, you’re essentially denying yourself the opportunity to pause, breathe, and think clearly.
Imagine getting triggered by every little inconvenience—traffic, a slow Wi-Fi connection, a coworker’s comment—you name it. It’s like living life on constant high alert, and you’re always on edge.
When you’re always in this “react first, think later” mode, your brain gets wired to expect the worst. So, even in situations where there’s no real threat, your brain still goes into the fight-or-flight response, and that can make it hard for you to think rationally.
Sometimes, you might also focus so much on the negative outcomes that you become paralyzed by indecision. But the worst part is that it can turn into a vicious cycle.
You react negatively; it affects your thinking; you make rash decisions; and then you’re stuck dealing with the fallout of those impulsive choices.
And when you’re constantly in this state of stress, you might end up…
7) Relying on substances to cope with your emotions
Whether it’s reaching for that extra glass of wine, drinking your fifth cup of coffee for the day, or lighting up a cigarette, it’s a bit like having a crutch for your feelings.
For a moment, it might seem like you’ve found the magic switch to turn off your emotions and escape from whatever is bothering you. You might feel a sense of relief temporarily, but it’s not a real solution, and it’s bound to cause more problems down the line.
When you’re constantly turning to substances, you start to lose touch with your emotions. It’s like putting a band-aid over your feelings; it might cover up the pain for a while, but it won’t help you heal in the long run.
As a result, you might feel numb or disconnected, and this numbing effect can mess with your ability to think clearly, impair your judgment, and lead you down paths you might regret later.
If you find yourself in this situation, I want you to know that it’s okay to ask for help. It might be a good idea to reach out for some support from friends, family, or professionals.
It can be a step in the right direction towards finding healthier ways to cope with your emotions and regain clarity of thought.
Final thoughts
Remember, the power to make changes is in your hands. You have the ability to think more clearly and live a life that honors your truth.
The good news is that it doesn’t require a giant leap. You can start small and take it one step at a time. So, choose one habit to bid farewell to and begin today.
Your future self will thank you for it!
