Bad habits are a person’s actions that harm him or others. At their core, people are inert. This means that everyone strives for a state of peace. We want a car so we don't have to walk. We buy washing vacuum cleaners and automatic washing machines to make work easier.
Trying to minimize energy consumption, people become inert: they perform the everyday rituals to which they are accustomed. Life follows a well-trodden track, and various habits appear in the process. Unfortunately, their list often includes actions that are not the most beneficial for the body and soul. Let's talk about them in more detail.
What are bad habits
A bad habit is a dependence on a certain action, the absence of which brings various kinds of discomfort to a person and which harms himself and others.
Among the bad habits are:
- drugs,
- smoking,
- drinking alcohol,
- sexomania,
- gambling addiction,
- drug addiction and much more.
Risk factors
The reasons why a person may become addicted to something harmful are vast and varied. This can be influenced by the environment, stressful work, dissatisfaction with the financial or social situation, unfavorable family conditions, and even the mentality and general economic situation in the country. For example, in Canada a bottle of strong alcohol costs from 40 euros, it is clear that with such a social policy of the state there will be many times fewer alcoholics.
In childhood
Teenage alcoholism and smoking is becoming a large-scale problem nowadays. According to Rospotrebnadzor, 33% of boys and 20% of girls drink alcohol, and statistics from the Ministry of Health state that more than 15% of teenagers smoke. The main reason why children try alcohol and tobacco is the desire for self-affirmation among their peers, as evidenced by research data from the Swiss Institute against Alcoholism.
In second and third place on the list of reasons identified by research is a means of entertainment and a means of relieving emotional stress. Also at risk are children whose families do not have a developed drinking culture. Parents' frequent feasts shape the child's idea of alcohol as an obligatory attribute of the holiday.
In addition, the harm of less harmful addictions affects children to a greater extent than adults. For example, Internet addiction contributes to the development of superficial “clip” thinking, which negatively affects the ability to perceive information.
Causes of addiction
In general, the reasons for the appearance of addictions lie in the inner world of the individual and environmental factors.
Factors causing dependencies:
- The influence of the environment. Often, if a negative habit is considered normal in a social group, such as swearing or smoking, then a person is likely to adopt it in order to feel and affirm his belonging to the group.
- Unsettled life and dissatisfaction with it. In this case, with the help of bad habits, a person compensates for the lack of positive emotions.
- Idleness.
- Curiosity. This reason dominates in adolescence.
- Stress.
The motivational orientation of the individual plays a significant role - for example, a person with a clear focus on a healthy lifestyle is unlikely to start smoking for the campaign.
The right social circle
Prevention of bad habits will be more effective if a person surrounds himself with friends who support his point of view regarding a healthy lifestyle. The influence of society is quite strong, and this has been proven more than once. In most situations, the appearance of bad habits is a consequence of the fact that it was friends who suggested that a person try a cigarette, alcohol or a drug. Continuing to communicate in such a circle and leading an incorrect lifestyle leads to the formation of a stable addiction, which is subsequently very difficult to give up.
Types of habits and how to deal with them
That’s why bad habits are called bad because they can have a direct or indirect negative impact on health. Thus, the habit of biting nails is fraught with parasitic infection, and excessive dependence on social networks contributes to the development of diseases of the eyes and spine.
Addiction
At the top of the list of bad habits is drug addiction. According to the Ministries of Health and Internal Affairs, the number of drug addicts is 7.3 million. Human. It is impossible to calculate the exact figure, since most addicts hide the disease. 20% of the total number are children under 16 years of age.
A factor in the increase in the number of addicts is the easier access to drugs both in our country and abroad. New synthetic drugs are appearing at great speed and are not being added to the list of prohibited substances. The development of the shadow Internet makes it possible to sell narcotic products practically without risk. There is also a general decrease in the cost of narcotic drugs both in the country and throughout the world.
Drug use has a detrimental effect on the human body. In addition, the addiction is so strong that a person loses touch with the outside world and becomes capable of committing criminal acts.
Effect on the body:
- damage to the nervous system;
- brain atrophy;
- formation of mental disorders;
- rapid formation of dependence;
- withdrawal syndrome;
- disruption of the functioning of internal organs against the background of general poisoning of the body with toxic substances;
- hormonal imbalances;
- influence on the reproductive system;
- increasing the chances of having defective children in the future.
In addition, drug addicts are more at risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, and are prone to suicide and fatal overdoses.
Unfortunately, drugs are highly addictive and it is impossible to cope on your own. It is necessary to seek qualified help from special medical institutions. Statistics show that of the total number of drug addicts in Russia, only about 10% seek help. Fortunately, most of those who apply manage to overcome the disease.
Tobacco smoking
Smoking is also highly addictive and harmful to the body. Statistics show that only two thirds of the total number of smokers strive to quit and only 7% of them succeed. The main harm to the body is caused by toxins and carcinogens that enter the body when inhaling tobacco smoke.
Effect on the body:
- increasing the risk of developing cancer;
- negative impact on the functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems;
- deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair, teeth, nails;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, risk of developing ulcers;
- hypertension;
- deterioration of oxygen supply to the brain.
When quitting nicotine addiction, it is effective to use replacement therapy (nicotine patches, tablets, chewing gum). It is also extremely important to enlist the support of loved ones, and, if necessary, a psychologist, and find a worthy alternative, for example, playing sports.
Alcoholism
According to the National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Addiction named after V.P. Serbsky, in Russia there are about one and a half million people diagnosed with alcoholism. In addition, about half a million deaths are reported annually due to alcohol poisoning and the severe consequences of alcoholism.
Effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the body:
- liver damage;
- influence on the central nervous system;
- cerebrovascular accident;
- damage to cerebral cortex cells;
- heart rhythm disturbances, increased heart volume;
- influence on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- decreased effectiveness of the immune system;
- influence on the reproductive system.
The first and important stage is awareness of the problem, addiction. Currently, the treatment of alcoholism uses many techniques, medications aimed at suppressing withdrawal symptoms and drugs that cause aversion to alcohol. But none of the above is effective without a person’s inner desire.
gambling addiction
Gambling addiction is a psychological dependence on gambling or computer games. As a rule, gambling addiction causes indirect harm to the body. This manifests itself in diseases of the spine and eyes as a result of long periods of time at the computer, stomach diseases due to poor nutrition. But there are also known cases of mental disorders, schizophrenia and deep depression due to excessive involvement in various types of games. It is very difficult to get rid of addiction on your own, so it is important to seek help from a specialist.
Diets
A properly selected diet does not harm the body, but only improves health and promotes weight loss. However, an unreasonable passion for various diets leads to malfunctions of the body, stomach diseases and psychological disorders against the background of constant starvation. In addition, a diet chosen without taking into account health conditions can harm the heart, immune system and worsen joint health. And the most annoying thing is that at the end of most diets, the lost weight can come back in double volume. Therefore, it is better to choose a diet with an experienced nutritionist, nutritionist, and be sure to consult with your doctor if you have any diseases. And if an addiction is identified, seek help from a psychologist.
Coffee mania
Caffeine is a stimulant that can affect the nervous system, causing agitation and insomnia, thereby depleting nerve cells.
Effect of coffee on the body:
- increased heart rate;
- load on the kidneys;
- arterial pressure,
- excess secretion of gastric juice.
To avoid the harmful effects of coffee, it is advisable to drink no more than three cups per day and preferably with milk. If it is very difficult to limit the number of cups, you can replace it with cocoa or chicory drink.
Drug addiction
Drug dependence is manifested by a deterioration in well-being when drugs taken are discontinued, usually repeatedly and for a long time. Most often, such dependence develops when taking psychostimulants, sedatives, sleeping pills, opiates, and antipsychotics. Drug dependence can be characterized as either physical or psychological. Long-term use of drugs leads to the fact that the human body gets used to the constant presence of the drug and does not work at full strength.
Effect on the body:
- various side effects;
- withdrawal syndrome;
- hormonal imbalances;
- disruption of the functioning of internal organs and the body as a whole.
In the treatment of psychological drug addiction, placebos are used, while physical addiction is treated with a gradual reduction in the dosage of the drug and substances that relieve signs of withdrawal syndrome.
Internet addiction
Internet addiction is characterized by an obsessive desire to use the capabilities of the global network, the replacement of real communication with virtual communication, and irritability in the absence of access to information online. Thanks to the large amount of information received in small portions and accompanied by vivid images, modern people develop “clip thinking.” The ability to concentrate, the ability to analyze, the ability to learn, and the susceptibility to manipulation decreases.
Internet addiction has two ranges of causes:
- Communication on social networks directly affects the pleasure centers, forcing people to go online more and more often to receive attention, which is not enough in real life.
- The human brain gets used to a constant flow of various information, and its absence entails a feeling of emptiness.
Internet addiction affects the physiological state of health in the form of vision diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, excess weight and other problems associated with eating disorders.
You can get rid of addiction through clear regulation of time spent online, expanding your social circle in real life, a new hobby and physical activity.
Sexual relations
Sexomania is a form of obsessive behavior characterized by a desire for promiscuity, masturbation, viewing pornographic content and a constant search for new types of sexual satisfaction.
First of all, the danger of this kind of addiction is determined by the possibility of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus, as well as other serious sexually transmitted infections. A sexaholic needs diagnosis, as there are frequent cases of concomitant depression and various mental disorders. In the treatment of addiction, work with a psychotherapist and instructor, family therapy and medication support are practiced to relieve depression and aggression.
Gluttony
The habit of overeating primarily affects the functioning of the heart and liver. Also, excessive overload of the body with food provokes metabolic and hormonal cycle disorders, the appearance of excess weight and general fatigue. The development of a culture of proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and physical activity will help cope with the problem of overeating. Also, the help of specialists will not be superfluous.
Alcohol
Addiction to alcohol also does not leave its mark on the body. Every day there are more and more alcoholics. Previously, the majority were adult men. But today the situation has changed radically: women and even teenagers are increasingly becoming dependent on alcohol.
First of all, it should be noted the detrimental effect on the brain; with constant consumption of alcohol, it begins to gradually deteriorate - healthy brain cells die off.
Alcoholism is also fraught with consequences for the body such as:
- Serious liver problems that can even lead to death;
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, increased risk of developing peptic ulcers;
- Problems with memory and attention;
- Impaired coordination of movements and balance even when not intoxicated;
- Kidney diseases;
- Increased risk of developing cancer;
- Psychological instability.
You can often hear that drinking alcohol is a way to cheer up. But this is a trap: the slight euphoria from alcohol the next day turns into a sharply depressed mood with a feeling of hopelessness and melancholy. And the more often a person drinks, the more pronounced this condition becomes. Therefore, alcohol is more likely a cause of low mood, rather than a cure for it.
Alternative
Working on yourself requires incredible strength and will. It is very difficult to give up your usual lifestyle without a suitable alternative. Therefore, it is important to find a satisfying and useful replacement. For example, invigorating coffee in the morning can be replaced with equally invigorating mate tea. It is also effective in the fight against addiction to set short-term goals rather than long-term ones, since it is more difficult to set yourself up to last a day without cigarettes than a year. Thus, the body will gradually begin to wean itself off the harmful effects, and psychologically it will be easier to adjust to a longer period.
Substitute habits:
- playing sports;
- meditation and yoga;
- walks in the open air;
- reading;
- drawing, painting by numbers;
- proper nutrition;
- drinking clean water in the morning and throughout the day;
- hobby;
- studying of foreign language;
- helping other people;
- personal care.
The list of useful alternatives is endless, it is important to think and choose the habit that suits a particular person. For example, one Belarusian blogger and model Olga Shatyko used a cocktail straw in her fight against nicotine. The straw was always in Olga’s purse, and in moments of strong tension and desire to smoke, Olga imitated smoking with the help of a straw. Thus, habitual actions calmed the brain.
Healthy lifestyle
Everything is quite natural: people who lead a healthy lifestyle are much less likely to suffer from bad habits. Therefore, this preventive measure is considered very effective. In addition, it helps to develop self-discipline, strengthen the body, and significantly improve overall well-being. The basics of a healthy lifestyle include: • proper nutrition, which involves enriching the diet with fortified foods; • maintaining a daily and sleep schedule. A full eight-hour night's rest; • playing sports. It can be any kind: swimming, dancing, wrestling, etc.; • eliminating the frequent occurrence of stressful situations or revising your attitude towards them. A healthy lifestyle is the key to excellent health and a way to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing bad habits.
