The term addiction often implies something bad. Most often, it is a negative term that refers to a person’s behavior that is excessive or uncontrollable. Yet, there are some things you can do regularly that can be very good for you. While anything can become too much if you overdo it, there are some healthy addictions that you may want to continue long term.
Sometimes, good addictions, like going to the gym, can become problematic. For example, if a person is going to the gym all of the time and working out in a compulsive way, that could lead to health problems. Workout addiction can cause damage to your body. The same applies to healthy eating habits that become too extreme.
What Are Some Health Addictions, Then?
There are some things you can do, within a reasonable level, that can prove to be healthy addictions. Take a look at a few of the traits you may want to focus on.
#1: Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated is an important tool for everyone. Drinking enough water on a routine basis helps to encourage the body to function properly. It can help to control cravings, too. Good hydration can help you to flush toxins from your body. It can also help to encourage a strong metabolism, which can help your body use food properly.
#2: Laughing
There is likely no limitation on laughing (unless your happiness impacts other people). Laughing is an important habit to get into on a routine basis. The actual act of laughing helps to release endorphins, or positive hormones, into the bloodstream. This can help to reduce stress levels while also working to support your immune system. Laughing also encourages good sleep. Watch a few movies, have some fun conversations, and find other ways to laugh often.
#3: Sleeping
Good sleep is very important to the body and brain. It is restorative, which means it enables your body to heal and work through the challenges faced during the day. Many people do not get enough sleep each night. Though doctors encourage people to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night, if you are not, you may be depriving your body of this very important tool for controlling weight, recovering from illness, improving concentration, and reducing stress.
#4: Exercising
As noted, exercising too much can be problematic, but try to focus on it in a positive way. Instead of going to the gym for hours a day, spend time walking outdoors. Work with a trainer to ensure you’re not overdoing it. You also want to have a routine in place, such as exercising each morning. Consider less intensive exercises that don’t strain your body, like yoga. These can help to give you lots of benefits – reduced stress, better ability to sleep, weight loss, and overall health – without complications. The key here is that routine and regular exercise, like 30 minutes each day, can be restorative to your overall wellbeing, including your mental health.
#5: Open Up and Share
Another positive, healthy habit to get into is opening up about your thoughts, feelings, and needs. It is easy to bottle up that frustration and just deal with the day on your own. This creates damage to your mental health, and over time, it can impact your physical health as well. Having someone to talk to, laugh with, share ideas with, and even cry with as you need to is a very important tool for improving your quality of life.
#6: Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is one way to improve your wellbeing. It allows you to give your body the type of nutrition it needs to work at its best for you. That often includes helping your metabolism to function properly, reducing the risk of obesity and high blood pressure, and supporting your immune system. A healthy diet for most people includes a range of vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. It often means lower amounts of sugar and refined foods.
#7: Socialize
Though it can seem easy enough to spend time at home, watching TV, getting out, and socializing are important for brain health. While you will want to develop healthy habits, like spending time engaging in positive activities while socializing, having a strong social life will improve your quality of life. It can also help to minimize the risks of depression, health complications, and mental health disorders. Socializing is also shown to encourage a longer life and better brain health as you age.
How to Get to That Point
If you are struggling with un-healthy addiction now, reach out to speak to an admissions counselor today to learn more about treatment options that can protect your life. Contact 1st Step Behavioral Health or call at (855) 425-4846 to learn more about how we can help you. Speak to an admissions counselor to get started.
