Everyone seems to have a magic fix for anxiety. Some say take a walk. Drink green tea. Write in a gratitude journal. Say positive affirmations each morning. You’ve heard them all. Some work. Some don’t.
Others, on the other hand, sound healthy at first. But they secretly keep you stuck in a stress loop. They trick your brain into thinking it’s healing. When really, it’s just coping. They give your body a break temporarily. But not your nervous system in the long run. It’s frustrating because you’re trying your best to feel better.
To truly prioritize your mental well-being, you have to know which habits are helping and which aren’t. Here are six things that might seem like they’re easing your anxiety but could be quietly making it worse.
Scrolling on Your Phone to “Relax”
You tell yourself it’s just a quick scroll. Ten minutes in bed as a break. Then suddenly, it’s past midnight. You’re still watching videos of cute cats. You haven’t done your nightly chores. And now, you’re out of time. Many call this habit “bed rotting.” And it’s terrible for your mental health.
Doomscrolling feels like rest. But your brain is still active. The light from your phone keeps your mind alert. The endless feed keeps you comparing yourself to others. Before you know it, you’re overstimulated. That makes anxiety worse.
It’s best to set a screen cutoff time each night. Instead of scrolling, read a book. Try journaling. Give your brain real silence. That’s what it needs to actually reset.
Consuming Lots of Caffeine
It’s natural for people to drink coffee to wake up. Others use it as their weapon to “push through” the day. But too much coffee doesn’t sharpen focus. It actually floods your system with stress hormones.
See, caffeine raises your heart rate. It mimics the same sensations anxiety brings. Shaky hands. Racing thoughts. It keeps your body in a constant state of alert. Over time, your tolerance grows. You start needing even more cups of coffee just to feel “normal.”
Try cutting back slowly. Switch to matcha. Perhaps some herbal tea for a gentle lift. Your mood will even out. Your body will finally get to relax.
Eating for Comfort
Anxiety makes you crave control. Food gives that for a second. A snack here. Your fave comfort meal there. It feels so soothing in the moment. But that relief trades fast.
Comfort eating releases dopamine. Everyone knows it as a feel-good chemical. The problem is, it wears off quickly. Then, guilt creeps in. You might feel sluggish. Bloated. Maybe even disappointed in yourself. That adds to the emotional weight anxiety already brings. Then, the stress cycle starts all over again.
Instead of bingeing, try mindful eating. Ask yourself what your body actually needs. And when it needs it. Cook healthier meals instead of quick snacks. Food can become emotional quickly. Do your best to improve your relationship with it. That way, it makes you feel grounded, not guilty.
Buying Things to Feel Better
Everybody loves a little retail therapy, especially when stressed. For a moment, it feels like control. Like something good is on its way to heal you.
But when that box shows up, the rush fades. You’re left with the same anxiety. Plus a dent in your wallet. Shopping gives a dopamine hit, sure. But at the end of the day, it’s just a short-term fix.
Next time you feel the urge to shop because you’re stressed, pause. Ask yourself if you really want the item, or if you’re just going through the motions. Go for a walk. Call a friend. Put the product in your cart and wait 24 hours. You might realize you don’t need it after all.
Vaping Because You Think It Calms You Down
Anxiety can make nicotine feel like a best friend. So, you lean on vaping. It starts as a transition tool to quit smoking. One puff, and your body relaxes. But that calm doesn’t last. It’s just your body reacting to a chemical high.
Over time, nicotine rewires your brain. The anxiety spikes when you go too long without it. That’s why it’s so hard to quit vaping once you start. The habit creates the same stress it claims to ease.
Nicotine also tightens blood vessels. It raises your heart rate. It even disrupts your breathing patterns. All of these trigger anxiety symptoms.
Even the vape industry is under more pressure these days because of these bad effects. There are tighter rules for vape shops. There are more payment restrictions. Vape and e-cig payment processing has become a challenge even for well-meaning shops. This reflects how complex the habit’s impact is on both people and the business world.
Drinking Alcohol to Unwind Anxiety
That glass of wine feels harmless. You’ve had a long day. You deserve it. But alcohol isn’t the stress fix people make it out to be.
When you drink, your brain releases dopamine. So, you feel relaxed. Then, as it wears off, your nervous system overcompensates. You get jittery. Restless. Sometimes even sad. It also interrupts your sleep. It raises inflammation in your body. Over time, alcohol even increases your risk of heart disease.
So sure, drinking feels awesome in the moment. And doing it moderately is fine. But it has serious effects on your mental and physical health. If you like having a night ritual, swap it out. Try a non-alcoholic mocktail some days. Maybe warm tea to relax at the end of the day instead. You can still unwind with a drink. Just in a way that actually helps you heal.
Conclusion
Anxiety makes you cling to anything that feels safe. It’s normal. But safety doesn’t always equal healing. Some of the habits above only keep your mind running in circles. Endless scrolling. Over-caffeinating. Vaping for calm. It’s tempting to hold on to them. But it’s better to replace them with things that truly ground you.
Instead of leaning on these, shift your habits towards those that restore balance in your life. Eat and drink healthier. Do a social media detox. Give your mind some peace and quiet. When you put in the work to care for your mental health, your peace doesn’t come from a quick fix. It comes from within.
This article was written for WHN by Abdul R., who is a content creator and wellness advocate.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
