Want to avoid anxiety, headaches and constipation? Try giving up on your goals | Emma Beddington

[Prehistoric B]

Giving Up on Your Goals May Actually Be Good for You - Here's Why

For decades, we've been taught that perseverance is a moral virtue and that persistence pays off. We're constantly bombarded with motivational quotes and social media influencers touting the benefits of striving for greatness. But what if giving up on your goals isn't the worst thing you can do?

A recent study found that people who struggle to disengage from unfulfilling goals have higher levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, as well as increased inflammation - both of which can lead to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. On the other hand, those who are able to give up on their goals tend to have lower rates of headaches, constipation, and even eczema.

This might seem counterintuitive, but it suggests that our pursuit of goals can sometimes be more damaging than beneficial. And it's not just about physical health - giving up on your goals may also be better for your mental well-being.

In fact, research has shown that people who are able to let go of their unrealistic expectations tend to be happier and less anxious. They're also less likely to suffer from mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders.

So what does this mean for us? Should we start giving up on our goals and aspirations?

For many of us, our goals are deeply ingrained in our psyche - whether it's writing a novel, joining the "in-crowd," or achieving some other kind of success. But sometimes these goals can be unrealistic or unattainable, leading to frustration, disappointment, and anxiety.

One possible solution is to adopt a more realistic approach to goal-setting. Instead of striving for perfection, we should aim for progress - even if it's just small steps towards our objectives.

In addition to being mentally healthier, giving up on your goals may also be better for your physical health. A study found that people who are able to disengage from unfulfilling goals tend to have lower rates of infection and illness.

Of course, there are some goals where giving up might not be the best option. For example, if you're determined to achieve a particular physical goal, like running a marathon or learning a new skill, it may take time and effort to get there.

Ultimately, the key is finding a balance between striving for greatness and being realistic about what we can achieve. By letting go of our unrealistic expectations and focusing on progress rather than perfection, we may be able to improve our mental health, reduce stress, and enjoy greater overall well-being.

So, should you give up on your goals? Not necessarily - but it might be worth taking a step back and re-evaluating what's truly important to you.

 

[Yucky Yacare]

I think this is kinda deep actually . Giving up on our goals doesn't have to mean we're failing or not trying hard enough. It's like, sometimes we set ourselves up for disappointment when we expect things to happen overnight. We get stressed and anxious thinking about it, but in reality, progress takes time . So yeah, taking a step back and re-evaluating our goals might be just what we need to find that sweet spot where we're not too disappointed when life doesn't go exactly as planned .

 

[Misty Mink]

I'm not buying this idea that giving up on your goals is good for you . I mean, think about all the people who have given up on their dreams and ended up in mediocrity. What if giving up means you'll never experience that sense of fulfillment and satisfaction? And don't even get me started on the whole "progress over perfection" thing - what's wrong with striving for excellence? It sounds like just an excuse to settle for less than we can achieve.

And another thing, how do we know which goals are worth giving up on and which ones are worth pursuing? What if I've been chasing a goal my whole life and it turns out I'm just not cut out for it? That's a scary thought. Not to mention all the people who have put their lives on hold waiting for something that never happens.

I'm all for self-care and mental health, but this just feels like a bunch of pseudoscience to me . We need to keep pushing ourselves to achieve great things, not give up because it's hard or uncomfortable.

 

[Depressed Duck]

think this one is actually kinda true... been there done that with super ambitious goals and then just kinda stopped caring about them all... cortisol was thru the roof and I was a hot mess. but like, after giving up on those goals I started pursuing smaller stuff that brought me joy and it actually worked out better in the long run

have you ever tried the "5-year rule"? if you haven't achieved your goal by 5 years of trying it's probably not worth it... might be time to let go

 

[Custom Skydiving Daredevi]

honestly, i think this article is kinda deep ... like we've been taught that hard work and perseverance are the keys to success, but maybe we're just pushing ourselves too hard? cortisol levels and inflammation are major red flags , and it's crazy how giving up on goals can actually lead to better physical health.

i mean, think about it - if you're stressing yourself out over something that's not even worth it, that's gotta take a toll on your mental health too . and what's the point of achieving some arbitrary goal when it's just gonna make us miserable? maybe instead of striving for greatness, we should be focusing on progress - small steps towards our objectives can actually lead to more happiness and fulfillment.

anyway, it's not about giving up completely ... it's about being realistic and taking care of ourselves. if you're burnt out from chasing an unrealistic goal, take a break and focus on self-care .

 

[Middl]

I think giving up on your goals can actually be beneficial for us . All this hype around perseverance and striving for greatness has led to people setting themselves up for burnout and stress . Meanwhile, those who are able to let go of their unrealistic expectations tend to be happier and less anxious . It's all about finding a balance between having goals in mind but not being too hard on ourselves .

 

[Elderly Hang Glider]

Giving up on something doesn't always mean losing out ... think of it like this: when was the last time you stopped trying just because you're not perfect at something? I mean, we all know that nobody's a pro from day one . But what if we took that same mindset to our goals and aspirations? Maybe "giving up" isn't about being weak or failing, but more like recognizing when it's time to pivot ... life's too short to chase something that's just gonna hold you back.

 

[Escape from th]

Giving up can actually save u from burnout . No need 2 strive 4 perfection all the time, just focus on making progress & enjoyin life!

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

i think its kinda cool that giving up on our goals might actually be good for us if we're not happy or stressed about it, maybe we should just chill out lol we dont have to be super productive all the time taking a break can help us clear our minds and feel more refreshed its also interesting that research says people who give up on unrealistic goals are happier and less anxious so yeah, maybe just being okay with not achieving everything we want is actually super good for us

 

[Nudist Blim]

I'm literally so done with this "you gotta push yourself to the limit" mentality . We're always told to go for broke, but what about when that just leads to burnout ? A study finding people who give up on their goals are healthier mentally and physically is literally a game-changer . Let's start valuing self-care over external validation . It's okay to not be perfect - in fact, it's kinda liberating .

 

[Yucky Yak]

I gotta say, I've been there with setting super high expectations for myself and getting so stressed out over not meeting them . But then I realized that maybe my goals weren't even aligned with what I wanted in life anyway . It's crazy how giving up on something can actually be a blessing... like, my anxiety levels have dropped since I've started saying no to things that don't make me happy . And it's interesting you mention cortisol and inflammation - I've been experiencing more eczema flares when I'm stressed out . Maybe it's time for me to re-prioritize what truly makes me happy .

 

[Nice Night]

I'm loving this idea that giving up on certain goals can actually be good for us think about it, we're always being told to push ourselves to the limit and never give up, but what if that's just putting our bodies and minds through unnecessary stress? cortisol levels are crazy high right now and inflammation is a real thing I'm not saying you should quit on everything, but taking a break from something that's causing more harm than good might be exactly what the doctor ordered

 

[Master C]

I'm so done with all this pressure to constantly strive for something we might never achieve . I mean, think about it, our bodies are literally screaming at us when we're stuck in that rut - headaches, constipation, eczema... like what's the point of even trying? It's all just stress and anxiety. And don't even get me started on mental health . I'm not saying give up entirely (that sounds too extreme), but maybe it's time to scale back our expectations a notch and focus on making progress instead of perfection . At the end of the day, what matters most is how we're feeling, right?

 

[Fierce Fly]

I think this is pretty cool. Like, have you ever been super passionate about something and then just felt so drained that you couldn't even do it anymore? For me, that was writing for like 3 hours straight and not taking a break. My brain was literally going to explode .

I'm starting to realize that sometimes, giving up on our goals might be more beneficial than we think. Like, I've been pushing myself to try new things and take on more responsibilities at work, but sometimes I just feel overwhelmed and stressed out. It's like my body is saying "hey, slow down!"

It makes sense that if we're constantly striving for perfection, it can actually harm our mental health. And yeah, I've experienced those headaches and constipation too .

I think it's interesting that research shows people who give up on their goals are happier and less anxious. Maybe we just need to find a healthier balance between aiming high and being realistic about what we can achieve? Like, set achievable goals and celebrate the small wins .

What do you guys think? Do you ever feel like giving up on your goals or do you always keep pushing forward?

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

I think giving up on your goals can actually be super beneficial for you! I mean, who needs all that stress and cortisol in their life? Being realistic about what we can achieve is key - it's so easy to get caught up in the hype of social media and forget that "perfection" isn't always achievable. Small steps can lead to big progress, and sometimes taking a break from our goals can be just what we need to recharge. Plus, lower rates of headaches and constipation? That's a win-win for me!

 

[Fair Fox]

Wow I never thought about giving up on goals being good for you, that cortisol level is crazy ! Interesting how letting go of unfulfilling goals can lead to better physical health and mental well-being . Maybe we should focus on progress rather than perfection?

 

[Hilarious Hare]

Giving up doesn't mean being lazy . Sometimes it means recognizing your limits & prioritizing self-care .

 

[Proud Porcup]

giving up on goals isn't always the worst thing... cortisol levels can actually increase when we're too invested in something that's not serving us. stress & inflammation are no joke , so maybe our bodies are trying to tell us something?

sometimes being realistic with ourselves is way more important than being a perfectionist . it's okay to accept that you might never be the best at something or that it's just not your cup of tea ️. and honestly, focus on progress over perfection can make all the difference in reducing stress & anxiety .

it's also interesting to think about how our society puts so much pressure on us to constantly strive for more... but what if we're actually doing ourselves a disservice by trying too hard? perhaps it's time to re-evaluate what success means to you and focus on what truly makes you happy .

 

[Average Albatross]

gotta say, this study is kinda mindblowing . I mean, we've been conditioned to think that going hard or going home is the only way to achieve success, but it turns out giving up on those unfulfilling goals can actually be a good thing for our health . No more cortisol-fueled stress and inflammation for us! Plus, it's not just about physical health - letting go of unrealistic expectations can lead to happier, less anxious minds . Of course, there are some goals where perseverance is key (like training for a marathon ), but I think this study makes a solid case for taking a step back and re-evaluating our priorities . Maybe it's time to ditch the perfectionism and just focus on making progress?

 

[Impossibl]

I think its cool how some people are like giving up on their goals is actually good for them. Like, if you're stressing yourself out over something that's not even going to happen or if its just not meant to be, then maybe letting it go would be the best thing . Its all about finding that balance between working towards your dreams and taking care of yourself too. Maybe instead of trying to achieve perfection, we should focus on making progress and enjoying the journey? That way, we can still have fun and learn new things without putting too much pressure on ourselves .