Mental health is something talked about a lot today. In general, mental health refers to our emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Just as physical health refers to the overall well-being of our body—from fitness to body composition to the absence of chronic illness or disease—mental health is when our minds are in good shape. Our minds encompass emotions, feelings, and cognition. When we’re healthy mentally, our thoughts and feelings are balanced and regular. Typically, being healthy mentally means we are able to cope with stress easily and productively and manage our emotions effectively, so we control them instead of our emotions controlling us.
The Bible prioritizes mental health. As Proverbs 4:23 proclaims, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (NIV). The Hebrew word used here for “heart”, leb, translates to the inner self, the seat of thought and emotion.
Mental health problems occur when we are not healthy mentally, whether that’s from diagnosed mental illness (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) or from going through a short-term period of mental imbalance. Diagnosed, long-term, ongoing mental illness is sometimes a chemical disorder best treated by seeking the advice and guidance of a trained mental health doctor, counselor, or pastor—just as serious physical illness, such as cancer or diabetes— is best treated through the care of a physician. Mental illness might be caused by other things, such as genetics or trauma (such as war or abuse).
But sometimes, mental health problems are caused by the things we are doing on a regular basis that derail us from balanced, synchronized thoughts and feelings.
These habits unsettle and overturn our efforts to achieve peace and serenity emotionally and mentally, and sometimes we don’t even realize we’re causing this to happen.
Here are five sneaky habits that cause serious mental health problems:
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1. Poor Sleep
Proper sleep is essential to a well-functioning body and mind. The National Institutes of Health recommends that most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep, and possibly more than that if you are recovering from illness.
Sleep allows our brain and body to recover and repair themselves, resting and recharging so they can work properly. Sleep keeps our brain healthy, regulates our hormones and resets our immune system. It helps us be able to learn and create new (and long-term) memories.
When we don’t get enough sleep, all of this suffers. We’re tired and eventually exhausted. We don’t think properly. Stress hormones are produced, and this can lead to body issues like weight gain and heart problems. Our memory and ability to learn are negatively affected. And our emotions take a huge toll.
Lack of adequate sleep on a regular basis is known to cause a host of emotional problems such as depression, irritability, and anxiety. Positive emotions are decreased, so we feel generally gloomy and hopeless. We become prone to mood swings because we don’t have the energy to properly regulate our emotions. When we experience stress, a sleep-deprived brain has a decreased ability to cope properly.
We know from the Bible that Jesus worked hard, but he also took time to rest. The Bible tells us that after healing many, Jesus fell asleep on the boat while crossing to the other side of the lake (Matthew 8:23-27). He was sleeping so hard that his disciples had to wake him when a storm arose.
We need to prioritize adequate sleep to keep serious mental health problems from arising.
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2. Poor Nutrition
What we eat affects our body and our mind, too. Eating well—meaning a healthy, balanced diet with foods from all the food groups, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy protein—helps us think clearly and stay alert and attentive. It helps regulate our moods and improves our ability to concentrate.
The opposite—eating poorly, with a reliance of sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats and proteins—only leads to trouble. It makes us feel sluggish and can slow down our reaction time and decision-making, physically and mentally.
Studies also show that a poor diet can cause depression and anxiety. This is rooted in science, as sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed foods are known to cause inflammation in our brains, and inflammation contributes to mood disorders.
Poor nutrition can also decrease our cognitive performance and lead to fatigue and low energy, also impacting our mental health.
Additionally, certain processed foods (particularly processed foods and sugary drinks) can be addictive, which turns into a cycle of craving that can quickly get out of control.
While the Bible doesn’t specifically address proper nutrition, it says enough about the need to care for our bodies properly, that it is a temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As well, so much of the Old Testament laws include dietary laws (Leviticus 11), which shows us God knows that certain foods are good for us and lead to health, spiritually and physically, and believes this to be important.
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3. Not Exercising
Lack of physical activity is a huge contributor to serious mental health problems. In many ways, society today promotes a sedentary lifestyle. Many people work at a desk all day, then go home and sit in front of the television set or scroll on their phones all evening.
But this is terrible for our bodies—and our minds.
Being inactive physically is a major contributor to mental illness. Someone who doesn’t exercise is more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, loneliness, and self-esteem issues.
Exercise releases endorphins, which boost our mood. Exercise also reduces stress hormones, like cortisol. It can also help regulate our sleep patterns and give us more energy overall.
One of the virtues lifted up regarding the Proverbs 31 woman is physical strength. As Proverbs 31:17 notes, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
Exercise doesn’t have to mean overkill. It can be done at any age and health or skill level. Walking is a form of exercise, as is swimming, dancing, jogging, Pilates, flexibility training, or weight lifting. Any physical activity that gets you moving and burns calories is considered to be exercise.
The Centers for Disease Control recommend adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. This equates to 30 minutes five days a week.
Sometimes exercise feels like the last thing you want to do, especially when you are depressed. But push yourself to do even a little. You’ll soon experience the mental health benefits.
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4. Substance Use
Substance use is also detrimental to our mental health. Substance use is essentially introducing certain substances to the body, whether ingesting, injecting, inhaling, or otherwise consuming. These substances can include anything from alcohol (hard liquor, beer, or wine), drugs (illegal, over-the-counter, or prescription), to tobacco or inhalants.
Notice the habit listed here isn’t just substance abuse, but substance use. That’s because any substance we introduce to the body can have an impact on us. For example, even moderate or light use of alcohol can worsen or create mental health issues. Alcohol is a depressant, and even if initially it makes a person feel less anxious or more relaxed, over time, it ends up being harmful, not helpful. Even just a little can impair your judgment and decision-making, increase impulsivity, and cause mood changes.
Drugs (even prescription or over-the-counter drugs) can worsen underlying conditions and alter the brain’s chemistry, impacting dopamine and serotonin.
Tobacco can increase anxiety, tension, and depression, while inhalants (whether vaping or abusing household chemicals) can change the way your brain communicates with other parts of your body, leading to mental health problems.
In 1 Peter 5:8, we’re urged, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Substance use, even if it’s not abuse, can impact our ability to be sober-minded, ultimately giving the devil a foothold and leading to mental health problems.
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5. Lack of Self-Love
The Bible tells us to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). But sometimes we treat other people better than ourselves and even treat ourselves quite poorly. We forget that we are God’s beloved children. We engage in negative self-talk, beating ourselves up for past sins or failures. We hold ourselves to ridiculously high standards that we would never hold someone else to. We compare ourselves to those we see on television or even friends or acquaintances on social media, instead of realizing we are uniquely created by God. We isolate from other people, drawing ever inward, or maintain relationships with toxic people who undermine our self-worth.
All of this leads to mental health problems, particularly depression.
Jesus’s command to love your neighbor as yourself suggests that self-care and self-love are important to God, and that we are to treat ourselves and others with care and love.
God doesn’t want us to beat ourselves up; he wants us to give others grace, as well as ourselves. As Romans 3:23-24 reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” And Hebrews 4:16 urges, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
These are just a few sneaky habits that can cause serious health problems. Take an honest look at whether you are struggling in any of these areas, and pray for strength to stop or change these habits so you can live the healthy, whole life God intends.
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Originally published Monday, 23 June 2025.