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Break free from habits that hold you back. Discover how to elevate your mood and enhance your happiness by avoiding reliance on others' approval, negative thoughts, half-hearted efforts, and confusing feelings.

Wellness Corner: Recognizing harmful habits

It's easy to fall into habits that do not serve us—especially when they seem normal—because others do them too. It takes strength to prioritize what is best for you and your energy levels. Recognizing harmful habits is the first step.

Try stopping these four things to improve your mood and increase your overall happiness today:

Relying on Others for Approval

  • Growing up, we often seek approval from family and teachers, believing their happiness determines our worth. This mindset disempowers us. Instead, we must realize that only we control our feelings.

Dwelling on Negative Thoughts

  • Our minds produce a constant stream of thoughts, both positive and negative. Focusing on negative ones does not help; it increases stress and blocks creativity. Instead, learn to let them go and be present.

Doing Things Half-Heartedly

  • Not giving your best affects your overall approach to life. By fully engaging in everything you do, your confidence and effectiveness will improve across all areas.

 Confusing Feelings with Gut Instinct

  • Feelings are reflections of our thoughts, which can mislead us. Gut instinct, however, comes from deeper wisdom and is more reliable. Trusting your instinct, rather than reactive feelings, leads to better decisions and fulfillment.
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Author

Kristen Heath

Kristen Heath is a Lead Advisor in the Mentoring & Advising Program at IU School of Medicine. She has worked in higher education for over eight years, starting her career off on Air Force Bases teaching Psychology coursework. She is passionate about lifelong learning and devotion to personal well-being. When she is not in the advising office you can find her teaching Zumba, dancing, or riding bikes with her son, Ryder. She is a fan of the outdoors and loves to camp, hike and garden.
The views expressed in this content represent the perspective and opinions of the author and may or may not represent the position of Indiana University School of Medicine.