Human activities which people consider beneficial for their productivity and health typically lead to more negative results than positive outcomes from their standard operating procedures. Experts now warn that multiple habits which people consider “productive” or “healthy” actually cause burnout together with physical suffering and mental function decline.
“Productive” Multi-tasking
Many people believe they achieve success when they answer emails during their meetings. The human brain operates through “context switching” instead of performing two tasks at the same time. The process results in both an IQ drop of 10 points during the current moment and an extended duration for each individual task.
Checking Your Phone First Thing
The moment you wake up and reach for your phone your brain must bypass the two essential brainwave states “Alpha” and “Theta” which represent the peaceful creative periods and enter the intense “Beta” stage that prevents brain function. The initial situation establishes an anxious mood which continues throughout the entire day.
Powering Through Without Breaks
People believe that working continuously for four hours demonstrates their commitment to their job. The “law of diminishing returns” begins to operate after 90 minutes of work. Your concentration level decreases dramatically while your work quality declines more than someone who takes hourly 5-minute breaks.
Relying on “Liquid Energy”
Caffeine use to hide sleep deprivation creates an endless cycle. Caffeine prevents your brain from receiving sleep signals but “fatigue chemicals” continue to accumulate in your system. After caffeine effects end people experience a “crash” which is twice as intense compared to their original state of tiredness.
The “Inbox Zero” Obsession
You use your most energetic morning time to clean your inbox which represents a form of “productive procrastination.” You choose to address other people’s important matters instead of working on your “deep work” which actually helps you progress through life and career.
Aggressive Weekend “Catch-Up” Sleep
People experience “social jetlag” because their body needs to sleep 12 hours on Sundays to recover from their 5-hour sleep schedule throughout the week. The process creates confusion about your internal biological clock (circadian rhythm) which makes Monday mornings more difficult to wake up from while it permanently affects your ability to sleep.
Over-Sanitizing Your Environment
Experts have found that excessive cleanliness results in negative outcomes. Your immune system loses its “memory” functions because people constantly use antibacterial sprays and hand sanitizers and these products also destroy beneficial bacteria which help your body fight against regular diseases.
Eating “Low-Fat” Everything
The low-fat diet trend leads people to consume highly processed items which contain concealed sugars in order to restore the missing taste. Healthy fats keep you satisfied for longer periods while this process creates insulin surges which result in immediate hunger within one hour.
Using Night Mode to Stay Up Late
People find “blue light filters” useful yet these filters create a false state of safety. People believe the filter protects them so they extend their phone use by one hour. Your brain stays alert because you consume content from social media and news platforms regardless of the light color.
