12 Habits That Will Never Help Your Emotional Struggles (2)
7. Masturbation
Masturbation is a natural sexual behavior that is practiced by many individuals. It is a personal and private activity that can be a healthy part of one’s sexual expression. However, when masturbation becomes excessive, compulsive, or interferes with daily life and relationships, it can be considered a bad habit.
People going through some emotional challenges consider masturbation as the best way out. In most cases they use it as a coping mechanism to escape from stress, loneliness, or other negative emotions but this is totally wrong. Wrong in the sense that excessive or compulsive masturbation can have negative consequences. It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem, especially if an individual believes it is interfering with their personal or professional life. Excessive masturbation can also contribute to physical issues such as genital irritation or discomfort.
If a person is concerned about their masturbation habits, it may be helpful to reflect on the frequency, motivation, and impact it has on their life. If it is causing distress or interfering with daily functioning, seeking support from a therapist or healthcare professional can be beneficial in understanding and addressing any underlying issues.
Masturbation can be considered a bad habit when it interferes with daily life and relationships. It is important to assess one’s own habits and seek professional help if necessary to address any underlying emotional or psychological issues. Open communication, self-reflection, and seeking appropriate support can contribute to a healthy and balanced sexual expression.
8. Self-Starvation
Self-starvation, also known as anorexia nervosa or restrictive eating disorder, is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition rather than a simple bad habit. It is characterized by a persistent restriction of food intake, often accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. From the view point of the person engaging in this, it is seen as a habit but actually it is a complex psychological and medical condition that requires understanding and professional intervention.
From an emotional standpoint, self-starvation is often driven by deep-seated psychological issues, such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a need for control. It can result in extreme anxiety, depression, social isolation, and a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image.
It is important to recognize that self-starvation is not a simple habit that can be easily broken. It is a complex disorder that requires professional intervention and support. Support from family and friends is vital in providing encouragement and creating a supportive environment for recovery. In some cases, inpatient or outpatient treatment programs may be necessary to provide a structured and intensive level of care.
9. Loneliness
Some persons facing emotional struggles often prefer boxing everyone out of their world leaving them dabbling into a dark world of loneliness. This habit is toxic because it can lead to deeper depression, anxiety and even suicide.
Loneliness is not a bad habit but rather a subjective emotional state that arises from a perceived lack of social connection or meaningful relationships. It is a common human experience and can occur due to various factors such as isolation, social disconnection, or a sense of not belonging.
Some people who experience this tend to develop certain behaviors or coping mechanisms that can be considered unhealthy or unproductive. For example, some people may develop habits like excessive social media use, self-isolation, or engaging in unhealthy relationships as a means to alleviate their feelings of loneliness.
Excessive social media use can create an illusion of connection while actually deepening feelings of loneliness. Spending excessive amounts of time on social media platforms can lead to comparison, feelings of inadequacy, and further social disconnection. It is important to strike a balance between online interactions and real-life connections to avoid falling into unhealthy habits.
Self-isolation is another behavior that can exacerbate feelings of loneliness. Withdrawing from social interactions and avoiding opportunities to connect with others can reinforce the cycle of loneliness. Instead, it is important to actively seek out social activities, join groups or clubs, and make an effort to engage with others to build meaningful relationships.
Engaging in unhealthy relationships as a means to alleviate loneliness can also be detrimental. Settling for toxic or unsatisfying connections can further perpetuate feelings of isolation and negatively impact one’s well-being. It is important to prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to relationships and surround oneself with individuals who genuinely care and provide support.
To address loneliness, it is essential to take proactive steps towards building and nurturing social connections. This may involve reaching out to friends or family, joining social groups or clubs with shared interests, participating in community activities, or seeking professional support through therapy or support groups.
10. Insomnia
Insomnia refers to the habitual difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It can become a pattern or routine that disrupts your sleep-wake cycle. Insomnia can be caused by various factors, including stress, anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, underlying medical conditions, or certain medications. Never allow insomnia dominate your emotional struggle but try to avert it by using certain strategies to combat it like; sticking to a consistent sleeping schedule, establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, engaging in calming activities before bed, such as reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, avoiding stimulants and heavy meals close to bedtime.
11. Alcohol Abuse
One major disaster that can happen to someone is engaging in alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism towards emotional challenges. Some people who don’t drink or who are occasional drinkers end up becoming heavy drinkers when they fall back on alcohol to make them feel better but there are adverse effects to this.
Alcohol abuse refers to a pattern of drinking that leads to negative consequences in a person’s life, both physically and mentally. It involves excessive and harmful use of alcohol, often characterized by the inability to control or limit consumption, continued drinking despite negative consequences, and neglecting responsibilities or relationships due to alcohol.
Alcohol abuse can have severe impacts on an individual’s physical health, mental well-being. It can contribute to the development of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and alcohol addiction.
12. Pornography
According to an online article by Recovery Village, a part of the Advanced Recovery Systems (ARS) nationwide network of addiction treatment facilities in the United States,, statistics reveal that about 40 million American adults regularly visit pornography sites on the internet. Every second, more than 28,000 people are watching pornography on the internet. About 10% of all adults admit to having an addiction to sexual content on the internet. This includes 17% of women. Officially, however, about 200,000 Americans meet the classification of porn addiction.
Pornography can be consumed as a habit by some individuals. It involves regular and excessive viewing of explicit sexual content, often to the point where it interferes with daily functioning and relationships. It has negative effects, depending on the individual and their circumstances and this includes; having unrealistic expectations, strain on intimate relationships, feelings of guilt, distress and shame, time and productivity loss. This is why it can never help one facing emotional struggles.
Frederick Abiola-Cudjoe
Frederick Abiola Cudjoe is a blogger, content creator who is in service to Arogi Trauma Care Foundation. He is solution driven and result oriented. He has a strong passion to always make clients have the best customer service experience.
