Habits that are promoted—or generally deemed to be harmless by society—are the ones that should be questioned the most, and met with the highest degree of skepticism.

Society at large tells us that porn is a harmless release without consequences for the user. However, those of us who have ever been heavy users of pornography know the negative impact it can have on social cues and eye contact when interacting with others.

Caffeine is rarely viewed as a major contributor to anxiety, since coffee, arguably the most popular way Americans consume caffeine, is derived from natural sources and has health benefits.

Caffeine, which increases levels of the stress hormone Cortisol, can significantly affect who are susceptible to social anxiety, particularly if consumed first thing in the morning.

Although alcohol abuse is already known to be harmful, in terms of anxiety, alcohol is seen more as a temporary escape rather than a root cause. When alcohol is consumed, Dopamine levels spike on a temporary basis. When Dopamine levels go back down, feelings of anxiety can come back more intensely, especially in those with high baseline levels of anxiety.

It takes a very high level of self-assurance and independence to reject socially accepted habits that are potentially detrimental to one’s mental health.

“I watch porn all the time and I’m fine.”

“A cup of coffee is too much for you to handle?”

“How can having only a few beers make you depressed the next day?”

Always prioritize your own quality of life over the opinion of others, be aware of what is best for mental health, and defend it boldly.

Edit: Not trying to state that alcohol and caffeine make everyone socially anxious and everyone across the board should eliminate them entirely. People have different reactions to the things that they ingest. This is simply to point out that some habits may exacerbate social anxiety for some.