Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort you experience when your beliefs, values, or behaviors contradict one another. For example, you might know that binge drinking is unhealthy, but continue the habit anyway, despite being otherwise health-conscious. The conflict between your beliefs and your actions causes stress and may even impact your mental well-being. In this case, you may feel deep guilt and shame after a night of drinking too much. You may also try to justify or rationalize your actions.