GeneralNormal Everyday Things You Should Start Avoiding For Your Health

Many of our habits have detrimental negative effects on our health in the long run. Catching these habits and getting rid of them aren’t as easy, and many people only start to care about their negative habits when it’s already too late.

Eradicating ingrained behaviors can be difficult, but only if you’re not aware of them. Some behaviors seem innocent enough on the outside but cause serious damage to your health. Whether you are addicted to consuming junk food or living a sedentary lifestyle, there are plenty of habits out there that can be seriously damaging for your health but are considered normal.

It will take some getting used to, but incorporating healthy habits to replace the unhealthy ones is the only way you can ensure your health and longevity in the long run.

As the saying goes, old habits die hard. So, you may try your hardest to change your lifestyle by crunching the numbers on your calorie counter or spend less money and time on shopping sprees, but sometimes it does seem impossible to eradicate the old habits completely. However, the best way to eliminate bad habits is to look for healthier ones to replace them with.

In this article, we will highlight the seemingly normal habits that shouldn’t be a part of your routine anymore.

Sleeping less than eight hours

If you don’t get enough sleep each night, it can lead to all sorts of mental and physical health problems, including memory loss.

Try to get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night, so that your brain has time to rejuvenate overnight.

Getting enough sleep can be hard if you have any senior dependents or bed-ridden patients at home that require constant supervision. It’s best to hire expert nursing help if that’s the case, and you want your loved one to be facilitated at all times. Nurses with RN to NP online degree are qualified to take care of such patients, while you go about your life feeling relieved that your loved one is in good hands.

Poor diet

Poor eating choices can lead to weight gain and serious health complications like type 2 diabetes and heart disease later in life. Make sure that your diet consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as lean meat and whole grains for optimal health.

Fruits and vegetables that are farmed with pesticides aren’t the best choice either, as there is no way to tell what the effects of such chemicals are in the long run. Pesticides may affect your hormonal balance and can result in other serious health issues.

Artificial sweeteners are another health menace. They are just as bad for you as regular sugar. They may not have the same effect on your blood sugar levels, but artificial sweeteners, like saccharin and aspartame, can still cause weight gain. Sugars are also blamed for killing the good bacteria in your gut.

Eating right before going to bed

Eating right before going to bed is bad for your digestive health. Not only that insulin resistance goes up during the night, which means that anything consumed as a late-night snack is probably stored as excess calories in your body.

Drinking coffee too late in the evening

Caffeine is good for boosting energy levels and alertness, but drinking it too late in the day can make it harder for you to fall asleep.

It’s best to order and drink your coffee earlier in the day, so you don’t have trouble falling asleep at night. Even if you can’t get around drinking coffee late, stick to no more than a cup.

Eating a lot of red meat

If you’re going to eat red meat, make sure it’s grass-fed, organic, and lean. Red meat is a great source of iron, zinc, and protein, but also comes with a ton of saturated fat that can increase your risk for heart disease over time.

Plastic containers

Plastic containers have Bisphenol-A, a chemical compound which can lead to serious health problems. It is advisable to avoid or minimize the use of plastic containers, especially for food and water. You can start using glass containers instead of plastic.

Similarly, you should avoid using plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles are a convenient choice, but, unfortunately, not as healthy. Reusing a plastic bottle can lead to bacteria, mold, and yeast growth, and not to mention the chemical breakdown of plastic itself, which can contaminate your water and may cause severe health issues.

Avoiding the stairs

Easier said than done when you’re running late or carrying groceries, but the health benefits of climbing a flight of stairs every now and then are well worth it.

A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who took the stairs instead of the elevator were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines, which could lead to better heart health and lower blood pressure.

Skipping breakfast

People who skip breakfast tend to gain weight because they are susceptible to binge eating later in the day as compared to those who start their day with a healthy meal, according to a 2013 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers suggest that eating breakfast may help keep your appetite under control throughout the day because it turns on your metabolism.

Brushing immediately after eating or drinking something         

Brushing your teeth right after eating or drinking something acidic, like a citrus fruit or juice, wears away the enamel of your teeth. Instead, drink plenty of water to rinse away the acid, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, or, if you are really pressed for time, chew a sugar-free gum.

Don’t leave your cosmetics inside the car         

It’s convenient to have your makeup kit tucked inside your handbag, so you can brush up and adjust anywhere. But closed cars, parked under the scorching sun, accumulate a lot of heat inside. Heat can damage the quality of the preservatives used in the cosmetics. The preservatives help stave off the growth of bacteria, so when the temperature in the car rises, the bacteria start festering.

Sunlight

Too much sun exposure can age your skin prematurely. The sun’s UV rays can cause premature aging, wrinkles, sagging, and dark spots. It’s always recommended to use sunscreens with SPF 30 or above whenever you go out in the sun.

Sedentary lifestyle

If you sit working at a desk all day, then it’s extremely important that you take regular breaks. You should get up, stretch, and just take a stroll every hour or so. Incorporating movement into your routine throughout the day will help avoid muscle imbalances and other complications that are associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Conclusion

Some habits are so ingrained that we are unaware of their harmful effects, unless they’re specifically pointed out. The habits mentioned above may be considered normal to our modern-day living, but they’re harmful for our physical and mental health, and, therefore, should be avoided at all costs.

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