I have a lot of unpopular opinions. Coffee is disgusting, In-n-Out Burger is totally overrated, and I simply don’t get the hero-worship of Meryl Streep — just to name a few. I know my hot takes might appall some folks, but I’ve learned over the years not to worry so much about what others think. Sometimes thinking for yourself is the best way to preserve your peace.
As someone who is in the mental health profession, I know how important preserving inner peace is. But today’s world doesn’t exactly approve of doing so. All too often, our fast-paced, constantly connected, highly opinionated society makes us feel pressured to live a certain way or follow certain standards, even if it means sacrificing our own mental health.
It’s a lot of pressure adhering to all the standards society holds us to, and unrealistic expectations can be toxic to our mental health. Of course, some expectations are necessary. If you stop reporting to work, you’ll be fired, go broke, and lose your home — nobody’s suggesting that! But it’s more than okay to eliminate smaller pressures that are a waste of your energy. And it’s possible to do this with zero guilt, no matter how unpopular you may feel doing so.
Here are five unpopular nuggets of wisdom that are sure to raise some eyebrows but may also help you protect your mental health.
- Don’t watch the news. Before anyone accuses me of promoting a head-in-the-sand lifestyle, I’m not suggesting that being uninformed is the answer. But it’s a proven fact that too much news is literally a hazard to your health. Studies have shown that excessive news comnsumption can trigger the brain’s alarm systems that lead to a cardiac response and symptoms of anxiety. How is staying informed worth risking your health? Nowadays we are inundated with news, and that doesn’t seem to be helping us or the world. If you want to be in the loop, swap the news for reading a few headlines a few times a week, since reading has a lower risk of negative effects. For one thing, video images can be more unsettling than reading news stories in your own voice. Secondly, watching the news is poor for mental health because very little of it is actual news anymore. Journalism used to pride itself in a commitment to facts, but these days almost everything is a one-sided commentary presented by angry talking heads. Reading is a smart way to avoid that trap and keep your cool.
- Stop the scroll. Social media is all about being popular. We admire popular content, strategize posting what’s popular, and have even learned to measure ourselves and others in “likes” and “shares.” (Do you ever stop and think, “What the hell am I even doing on here?”) Almost everyone checks in on their socials at least once a day, but some people’s thumbs are on such autopilot they’re addicted to scrolling. From the depressing feelings that carefully curated posts can evoke to the keyboard commandos fighting it out in the comments sections, there’s a lot about social media that can be bad for your mental health. If you enjoy it from time to time, enjoy it within reason. But take regular breaks and notice when it’s consuming your time or attention too much — no matter how unpoular you worry your absence will make you. Also, don’t be afraid to unfollow or block anyone who makes you feel bad in any way. And if you’re not on social media, give yourself a pat on the back!
- Ban the booze. One of my unpopular opinions is that I don’t like to drink. Many people are shocked by it, others find it prudish, and some have even assumed I’m a recovering alcoholic. But I simply don’t like alcohol or how it makes me feel, so I don’t care how socially popular it would make me to imbibe. If you find yourself reaching for a drink regularly, it may be time to cut back. Drinking too often — even in moderation — can become a crutch that can train your brain to expect its next dose of numbing juice. When you don’t get your fix, anxiety sets in. So forget how socially unpopular you may seem and try to slowly cut back. You’ll be amazed at how your body learns to regulate emotions without alcohol, and how much healthier you feel, too.
- Remove from cart. Adding to cart is super popular these days, but many people have forgotten how to live without a Prime shipment on their doorstep within hours. The rise of e-commerce certainly has some perks, but it’s also ruined plenty for us as a society. From our inability to exercise patience to the belief that instant gratification can fill voids in our lives, too much online shopping is taking its toll on our mental health. This shouldn’t be a news flash to anyone, but whatever is sitting in your cart right now will not cure you of all your emotional ills. Try “removing” things from your cart — or adding them less often — and find other ways to support your emotions. It’s one of the simplest healthy habits you can start, and taking a spending break will do wonders for your financial stress, too!
- Just say no. From work and family to school and community, it feels like there are far too many expectations on people these days. And the ability to reach each other instantly via text often feels demanding. If you’re overwhelmed by the constant pull, remember you don’t have to do everything. Once personal and family responsibilities are handled, be mindful of when you need a break. Saying no to other requests — like that optional overtime at your job or the extra volunteer project at your house of worship — is not only okay, it’s important. Only you know your own limits, and if you feel like yours are being pushed, just say no. Being a little selfish once in a while is good for our mental health!
Try going against the grain a bit and see how it affects your emotional well-being. Our unpopular opinions make us who we are, and in some cases, they can actually make us healthier than the rest of the crowd.
