It’s no secret that the phenomenon of “ambition” has become a trend in today’s society. Especially among students and students, where they feel compelled to achieve everything to the fullest.
However, what happens when we are too ambitious? Ambition is basically something good and can push us to achieve success in life. Unfortunately, too much ambition can actually have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
1. The stress and disease that follow
heart disease illustration (pexels.com/freestocks.org)
Stress is one of the most common negative results that can be experienced by overly ambitious people. And, stress if prolonged can cause various health problems.
According to a study conducted by British psychiatrist Mark Winwood, excessive stress can increase the risk of various diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Not only that, stress due to being too ambitious can also exacerbate existing health conditions, such as asthma, migraines, and arthritis or arthritis. This happens because stress can affect the immune system and trigger the production of the hormone cortisol which can damage the body’s organs. Therefore, it is important to manage the level of ambition to avoid severe and prolonged stress.
Also Read: 5 Ways to Manage Stress Effectively According to Psychology
2. Poor sleep quality
insomnia illustration (pexels.com/cottonbro studio)
Adequate and quality sleep is important for maintaining our physical and mental health. However, according to German psychiatrist Michael Schredl, people who are overly ambitious tend to be sleep deprived because they are too busy and find it difficult to detach themselves from their work.
Poor sleep quality can increase the risk of developing various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In addition, poor sleep can also exacerbate mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to prioritize adequate and quality sleep. For example by setting a consistent bedtime, avoiding caffeine before bed, and creating a comfortable sleeping environment.
3. Vulnerable to having mental health problems
illustration of depression from being overly ambitious (pexels.com/Anna Shvets)
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Bad social life is one of the bad consequences of being overly ambitious, which can affect our mental health. As noted by Canadian psychiatrist Shimi Kang, people who are overly ambitious often sacrifice the time and energy they should spend interacting with others, thus neglecting their social life.
This can lead to loneliness, social isolation and stress which can increase the risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Establishing healthy and meaningful social relationships is very important for maintaining our mental health.
4. Haunted by the fear of failure
depression illustration (pexels.com/Alex Green)
Many people are trapped in a culture of overly ambitious and haunted by fear and failure. However, what impact does this have on mental and emotional health?
According to the United States psychiatrist, Judith Orloff, in the book The power of letting go: How to drop everything that’s holding you backthe fear of failure can be very damaging to self-confidence and trigger severe symptoms of anxiety.
People who are constantly afraid of failure tend to have high levels of stress and feel unhappy. This can trigger mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Orloff says that the best way to overcome the fear of failure is to learn to accept failure as part of the learning and growth process, and focus on developing healthy self-confidence. It is important to seek help from a mental health professional if the fear of failure is significantly affecting your life.
Also Read: The Difference between Mental Health and Mental Strength, This Says an Expert
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