In our daily routine, we often overlook the impact of our habits, which may seem harmless initially but negatively impact our health in the long run. If left unchecked, these habits can contribute to various health issues, leading to harmful consequences. Let us look at some everyday habits that might slowly harm you.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Sugary drinks and coffee might seem more appealing, but relying on these instead of water can cause dehydration. Water makes up 60% of our body weight and is crucial for nearly every body function. Dehydration makes it harder for your body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells, leaving you sluggish and with headaches. It can also negatively impact memory, focus, and concentration. It can contribute to an increase in the risk of infections and kidney stones. Drinking water throughout the day keeps you hydrated, and the 8-ounce daily glasses are a good rule of thumb.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Neglecting dental care can lead to a domino effect of dental problems. Poor dental hygiene can lead to plaque, a sticky film teeming with bacteria that builds on the teeth, and, if left untreated, can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and even teeth loss.
Studies also suggest a link between gum disease and serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Thus, brushing twice daily and regular flossing can contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Poor Posture
Your daily innocent routine can wreak havoc on your body. While scrolling through social media during your daily commute, slumping on the couch while watching television, or hunching at your work desk all day long, all these can put undue stress on your muscles and joints. Eventually, this strain will lead to a cascade of problems that would cause chronic pain in your body. The stiffness and tightness would reduce flexibility and mobility and trigger frequent headaches. Being mindful of your posture and regular exercise could help you keep them in check.
Skipping Breakfast
This might seem like a harmless habit as most of the time, we all rush to our respective workplaces, skipping the first meal of the day. It slowly harms our health in the long run because breakfast is like jumpstarting your body for the day with essential nutrients and energy. The nutrients kickstart our metabolism and cognitive functions of our body. Studies have shown that skipping breakfast can be linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Overworking
Many people wear the badge of “being busy” with pride. They hustle, juggle, and power through long hours, often sacrificing their sleep, breaks, and personal time for money and productivity. This act comes at a significant cost, which leads to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion and creates stress. Not maintaining a work-life balance can cause health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. One might lose interest and motivation in work, and success may feel hollow.
Smoking
Smoking deserves the top spot on the list because it is not just a bad habit but a conscious decision to expose oneself to harmful chemicals. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), it is the leading cause of preventable death in the US. The toxic mix of chemicals increases the risk of cancer in different parts of the body, makes breathing difficult, and leads to many respiratory diseases as well as heart disease.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption goes way past enjoying a drink with friends and more about consistently exceeding the recommended daily limits. In the US, there is no more than one drink for women and two for men. One can have an increased risk of severe health problems like liver diseases, where excess alcohol can overload your liver, leading to fatty liver disease or even liver failure. It can also lead to heart disease, mental health disorders, and accidents.
Ignoring Mental Health
The mind is the control center for your entire body. Leaving mental health unchecked can have serious consequences. In the US, millions of people grapple with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, yet many hesitate to seek help. Untreated problems can lead to constant worry and physical symptoms like headaches as well as stomach aches, which could make it difficult to get out of bed. These issues can strain relationships, leading to substance abuse and even an increase in the risk of suicide.
Poor Hand Hygiene
Our hands are like germ magnets as we touch surfaces all day long. In this process, we pick up many bacteria and viruses. When we do not wash them correctly, we make ourselves susceptible to various infections through our eyes, nose, and mouth. Poor hand hygiene could be due to neglecting proper handwashing techniques. These could lead to occasional flu, cold, and even nasty gastrointestinal illnesses affecting your health daily.
Unhealthy Eating Patterns
Most of us are guilty of grabbing processed food when rushing somewhere. These meals have large amounts of unhealthy fats, added sugar, and refined grains. They lack nutrients and fiber and leave you feeling sluggish and craving more. A diet heavily based on processed foods can lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. It increases the risk of heart attack and also affects the mental health of an individual.
Negative Self Talk
Negative self-talk is the relentless internal monologue filled with doubt and self-criticism. The voice whispers things inside your mind like “I will never succeed” or “I am not good enough.” Initially, these thoughts could be just annoyances occurring rarely, but repeated noise could leave one feeling emotionally defeated and drained of energy. Studies have shown a link between negative self-talk and conditions like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and even an increase in stress.
Overconsumption of Caffeine
For many Americans, a morning cup of coffee is as essential as breathing. At the workplace, people go for coffee or energy drinks to get the energy boost needed to complete the work or get over their sleep. There is a fine line between feeling alert and jittery. Consuming an excess amount of caffeine can lead to many problems, like feeling anxious, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, disrupting the sleep cycle, and even irritating the stomach due to heartburn or indigestion. Falling into a dependence trap of the caffeine habit can also lead to headaches and fatigue in the long run.
Preventive HealthCare
Preventive healthcare is ignored easily in this fast-paced world. The doctor’s appointment or the regular check-up might seem unnecessary, but the truth is these help detect any severe health problem if it persists. Preventive care is about proactive health management. Failing to get recommended health screenings and medical exams makes you more susceptible to diseases early.
Excessive Screen Time
While electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs have become a big part of our lives, constantly glued to them can have adverse effects. Excessive screen time can lead to a decline in physical health, like a strain on the eyes, headache, and poor posture, leading to body pain. It also affects our mental health, where it can increase the risk of anxiety and depression, leaving us tired and sleepless.
