7 Ways to Stop Sabotaging Your Sanity and Start Living ...

A glass of wine after a hard day can seem like the holy grail; the perfect chilled bottle is oh-so-relaxing. In reality, though, if you are always reaching for the wine glass, it could do the opposite. Alcohol is actually a depressive, and it can have terrible effects on your sleep, too. Try limiting your alcoholic drinks, and you’ll stop sabotaging your sanity almost instantly.

I’m really bad at this one. When things get tough, it can be so easy to stay inside, taking refuge in your bedroom or just wandering the house in old comfortable clothes. Not going out can be a quick way to depress yourself, though: being isolated and lonely is not conductive to good mental health. Try to get outside every day, even if it’s just to water the plants or go for a quick walk. Your mood will benefit!

This is another thing I’m really bad at: bottling up my feelings. Whether it’s anger or hurt, I hate showing negative emotions. Instead, I behave like a calm, easy-going person, and keep the feelings inside. Holding onto feelings has been proven to cause stress and rocket blood pressure, though, so you do need to find a way to let it out. Try listening to mediation CDs, punching a pillow or hitting the gym. Kickboxing has helped me loads!

When was the last time you hit the gym? And I mean really went? I think about it a lot, and I pack my gym kit 75% of the time…but actually getting through the doors and onto the machines can be a task itself. It’s not just your body that benefits from exercise, though, your mind gets a boost too. Working out releases endorphins that are sure to put you in a good mood, so try scheduling a few sessions in your calendar.

Is your house a little more untidy than you’d like it to be? I’m a natural mess-maker. I have papers and notebooks and letters everywhere, and I make little piles of important things all over the house. While I can easily live in the mess, I’ve actually found that I’m much happier when it’s tidied a little. It makes me feel burdened and dragged down having so much stuff. Try spending a few minutes a day tidying and cleaning, and you’ll soon feel the difference.

Yep, we all knew this one was coming! If you are always comparing yourself, you will rarely come off best. Why? Well, you see everything in your life. It’s a warts-and-all documentary of absolutely everything that happens. You only see the edited highlights of everyone else’s. Focus on the great things you have, and on setting yourself targets and goals to achieve, rather than comparing yourself to others. You’ll feel much better for it.

The number one way you are probably sabotaging your sanity? Trying to be perfect. If you set yourself an impossible standard, you won’t ever hit it. Not only that, but you’ll feel demotivated and rubbish. Stop insisting on perfection, and aim for the best that you can do instead. Your work quality will actually improve for it.

It might feel like it’ll take a big effort to stop sabotaging your sanity, but it’s well worth it. Once your mental health is sound, life suddenly feels much easier. Have you got any tips on how to stop sabotaging your sanity? I’d love to hear them!