Coping

Instant gratification associated with unhealthy behaviors is detrimental to our brains. This is because instant gratification strengthens neural pathways associated with the unhealthy behavior, and weakens the connections between neural pathways associated with healthy behavior – coping techniques. In other words, instant gratification can alter our brain to prefer unhealthy behaviors, which can be detrimental to mental health.

Using unhealthy behaviors as relief from negative emotions is detrimental to our brains by weakening neutral pathways which allow us to “come down” from the unpleasant emotions. This reduces our ability to “come down” from the emotion without using the unhealthy behavior. Engaging in healthy coping techniques will improve mental health by using them instead of unhealthy coping techniques.

This was explained to me when I attended residential therapy for five weeks after college. In way, it was a part of my formal education. We studied Dialectical Behavior Therapy, healthy techniques to cope with and avoid distress, and how to breathe more deeply. I have found each of these to be useful in my life.