If you crave peace of mind, say goodbye to these 12 behaviors

Let these things go and peace of mind will be your reward.

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One of the biggest issues that people struggle with these days is a lack of mental peace. The world is full of things that can steal yours away if you let them. Fortunately, there are certain behaviors you can let go of that will dramatically increase your peace of mind, such as:

1. Overthinking.

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Most people are their own worst enemies when it comes to sabotaging their inner peace. One of the most common causes of personal turmoil is falling down an overthinking rabbit hole—obsessing over little details and worrying about what someone might have meant, what strangers think, and so on. Let it go.

2. Not communicating when necessary.

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If some of your overthinking comes down to misinterpretation or miscommunication, you can amend that by seeking clarity. Don’t let a fear of conflict or confrontation prevent you from asking to communicate with someone about a topic or issue that’s important to you. Communication eliminates the drama associated with assumption.

3. Scrolling on devices (especially late at night).

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A single scroll through social media will present you with emotionally charged images and drama, as well as potential projects, fitness, recipes, you name it. Scrolling will agitate your mind and emotions, whereas putting the phone down and focusing on an endeavor like reading or a hobby/craft will calm them.

4. Procrastination.

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Are you stressed out about something that you’ve been neglecting to take care of for weeks (or months, or years), and it now seems insurmountable? You can avoid this by taking care of issues as they arise, whether that’s meeting with a financial advisor, writing a paper, or making a dental appointment.

5. Obsessing over past mistakes.

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You may still feel shame or anger about a mistake that you made years ago, but you can’t go back and change the past. Instead of wallowing in self-loathing, see it as a learning experience that has provided you with the opportunity for personal growth. Leave the past in the past.

6. Poor sleep hygiene.

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Nobody functions well if they’re deprived of rest. Furthermore, they can get caught in a loop wherein their lack of sleep causes anxiety, and then they’re too anxious to fall asleep. Establish a firm, regular sleep schedule that includes putting screens away an hour before bed to avoid blue light melatonin disruption.

7. Substance abuse.

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The difference between a cure and a poison lies in dosage, so make sure that whatever substances you’re enjoying are helping you rather than harming you. If you find that indulging in too much caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, or sugar is making you uneasy, cut back on your intake for greater peace of mind.

8. Being too sedentary.

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Physical activity regulates stress and releases “happy” chemicals like endorphins within our bodies. In contrast, being too sedentary is a major contributing factor to mental health disorders. Find a physical activity that you enjoy, and aim to move your body for at least 20 to 30 minutes every day.

9. Reliving and revisiting past dramas.

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Other people’s poor behavior toward you can’t be changed by going back in time. Reliving past dramas and traumas will only damage you further, as would actively seeking out people who hurt you 20 years ago for a grudge match. Those situations aren’t happening now, so let it all go and move on.

10. Obsessing over things you cannot change.

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If you can’t change something you dislike about your body, or an injustice that’s happening in another country, accept that with grace instead of simply obsessing over that fact. Take the action you’re capable of, do what you can with what you have, but don’t obsess about things you have no power over.

11. Lamenting loss/things you can never have.

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There are things we’ll be able to attain or achieve in this lifetime, and things we can’t, for a wide variety of reasons. Once again, accept the limitations you may come across and choose a different direction, rather than wasting more moments of your precious life focusing on what can never be.

12. Remaining in situations that cause stress or drama.

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One of the best ways to increase your peace of mind is to eliminate stressors that threaten it. This may involve changing your job, ending harmful relationships, or establishing stronger boundaries. Do what must be done to protect your personal peace, and you may be shocked to see how much better you feel.