Society has a strange habit of instilling us with values, beliefs, and behaviors that seem normal on the surface but can actually be incredibly unhealthy. The first step in challenging these ingrained beliefs is to recognize them, so, for our well-being, let’s explore a few habits that fit into this category.
Overworking and Glorifying Busy Schedules
Society praises those who are constantly working and lead exceedingly busy lives. While this may be good for productivity in the short term, over time, this habit can lead to burnout, stress, and other health issues. For this reason, we believe self-care and relaxation time should be valued just as highly as work time.
Excessive Consumption of Social Media
In the tech-driven environment of modern-day society, it’s considered normal for people to be perpetually glued to their phones and other screens. However, excessive social media usage can be unhealthy in the long run, causing us to spend less time on face-to-face interactions and often leading to toxic comparisons that can contribute to mental health issues. For example,OxJournal found that depressive symptoms were linked to harmful social media comparisons.
Prioritizing Material Wealth Over Well-being
Speaking of mental health issues, another common theme in modern society is the prioritization of material wealth and possessions over mental and emotional well-being. The cycle of consumerism can cause us to feel like our worth and identity are tied to material things, creating a sense of emptiness that can never be filled.
Normalizing Toxic Relationships in Media
News outlets are constantly publishing stories about toxic relationships and interactions that make these unhealthy dynamics seem strangely normal. This can cause readers and viewers to see toxic behaviors such as possessiveness and jealousy as normal and acceptable.
Shaming Vulnerability
Society often seems to view open displays of vulnerability as shameful, weak, or socially unacceptable. This perpetuates the harmful stereotype that vulnerable and sensitive individuals are weak, while those who bottle up their emotions are strong and superior.
Celebrating Multitasking
Many people believe that multitasking is an impressive and helpful ability, and society often seems to agree. However, in reality, Forbes says that multitasking usually decreases focus, quality of work, and productivity. It can also increase one’s risk of becoming stressed and overloaded.
Stigmatizing Mental Health Issues
Society has come a long way in terms of destigmatizing mental health issues. But sadly, there is still a sense among many people that speaking publicly about such issues is shameful and weak. This can discourage people from seeking the support they need and spreading awareness about important mental health issues.
Valuing Opinions Over Expertise
Unfortunately, the individualistic nature of Western society often leads people to feel like they should have an opinion on everything, even if they know little to nothing about the topic being discussed. When left unchecked, these misinformed opinions can gain momentum, leading to misinformation and harmful consequences.
Rewarding Instant Gratification
Nowadays, it’s easy to get almost anything you could want at the touch of a button. There has also been a shift toward short, seconds-long clips over long-form videos, leading to shorter attention spans and a reduction in the benefits associated with delayed gratification.
Accepting Overconsumption as a Norm
Society has normalized spending as much as you like on whatever you like, no matter how harmful this habit may be to the environment. Sadly, this has significantly contributed to environmental degradation, excessive waste, and unsustainable living.
Neglecting Community and Connection
Unfortunately, the shift toward online interactions and away from real-world connections has led us to become increasingly isolated from one another. While this has become normal in recent years, that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. In fact, this is a huge reason why young people feel lonelier than ever before.
Skipping Sleep to Get More Done
Society frequently praises those who will sacrifice almost anything to stay productive. Sadly, this has also led to the normalization of staying up late and living off just a few hours of sleep to get more done. Naturally, this can lead to an array of negative health effects and actually decrease cognitive performance in the long run.
Constantly Saying “Yes” to Avoid Disappointing Others
Society loves “yes” people. Employers often specifically look for people who are willing to take on more than their fair share of work for the sake of productivity. But this comes with the risk of overcommitment, stress, and burnout, as well as encouraging people to neglect their boundaries and needs for the sake of others.
Using Humor to Mask Serious Issues
It can be healthy to inject a bit of humor and lighthearted energy into serious situations in the right circumstances. However, when used in excess, this habit can prevent people from properly addressing real issues and emotional pain.
Prioritizing Romantic Relationships Over Friendships
There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing your partner or romantic relationship. However, society often sends the message that it is okay for you to neglect relationships with your friends and family, as long as you’re spending enough time and energy on your significant other. This can lead people to become overly dependent on one person and reduce the strength of their support systems.
Idolizing Perfectionism
It can be healthy and motivating to set high standards for yourself. However, society seems to take this principle to an unhealthy level, prioritizing the pursuit of perfection over one’s well-being and mental health. For instance, according to Mindful Health Solutions, perfectionism is linked to depression and anxiety.
Normalizing the Consumption of Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism
Alcohol can be okay to drink in moderation. But many people in Western society see it as normal and unproblematic to drink excessive amounts of alcohol to cope with stressful situations or social events. This can prevent people from addressing the root cause of these emotional issues and potentially lead to alcoholism in some cases.
