(Newswire.net — November 28, 2022) — Most of us have at least a few bad health habits.
Maybe you don’t get enough sleep, or maybe you eat too much sugar. Maybe you hate working out, or maybe you haven’t been to the dentist in years.
The truth is these things are all pretty common, but it’s important to know that they are doing way more than just ruining your day—they’re also affecting your long-term health.
Check out these 10 things you might be doing right now that are actually harmful to your health:
Putting off your annual checkup
It’s been a while since you’ve had your annual checkup, hasn’t it? You know why, of course: you’re busy. It’s not like there’s anything wrong with you. And maybe there isn’t, but that doesn’t mean getting checked out is a waste of time or money.
A good doctor will take the time to go over your medical history and run tests if necessary so that he can catch anything early on when it can be treated most easily and effectively.
Untreated stress
Stress is a normal part of life. It can help you be more productive and keep your focus on the tasks at hand—but it also has the ability to make you feel like you’re being buried under a mountain of work, so figuring out how to manage stress levels is important for your overall health.
Serious life stress is more likely to cause you to develop a peptic ulcer within the next 15 years.
Not getting enough sleep
Sleep is very important for your health, far more than most people realize. Lack of proper sleep (7-8 hours on average) can lead to these health conditions:
- Heart disease
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Weakened immunity
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
Poor Nutrition
There are a lot of things that you can do to improve your health and make yourself feel better, but there is one thing that will help you more than anything else: eating right.
You need to eat fruits and vegetables every day in order for them to have any effect on your body at all! Eating fruits and vegetables does not mean just popping one into your mouth every once in a while—it means making sure that the majority of what goes into your stomach is made up of these two foods!
Delaying medical treatment
When it comes to your health, don’t put off going to the doctor until you feel better.
In fact, if you’re feeling ill or unwell, go and see a doctor. The sooner treatment begins, the more likely a full recovery will be.
Don’t forget those recommended cancer screenings either!
You’re Sedentary
The first and most obvious way you are harming your health is by being sedentary. The definition of sedentary is “inactive”, which means sitting around doing nothing all day long. Being inactive has been shown to increase the risk of many diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental illness.
A recent study found that adults who sit for more than 11 hours a day have a 40% higher risk of dying prematurely than those who sit for less time per day.
Consuming Drugs or Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can cause liver damage and other health problems. Drug consumption comes with its own list of potentially severe effects on your health.
If you’re struggling with drugs and/or alcohol, get help via Ascendant NYC and take the first step to a healthier life.
Eating too fast and junk food in excess
Fast food on the regular is bad for you. Period. Every now and then it’s ok but making a habit of it can lead to:
- Increased risk of cancer
- Increased risk of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
- Lowered immune function
- Higher allergies
- Obesity
Too much screen time
How much screen time is too much?
The National Sleep Foundation recommends no more than two hours of screen time per day for children aged 2 to 5, and no more than one hour per day for children aged 6 to 13. Yet a recent Gallup poll found that children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes in front of a screen each day.
For adults, the American Psychological Association recommends limiting digital media use to less than two hours per day. However, according to Pew Research Center data collected in 2017, adults spend an average of five hours every day consuming various forms of content online—and only about 25% say they feel very good about it.
We know that excessive screen time can contribute to anxiety; depression; lower self-esteem; sleep deprivation; obesity; reduced academic performance; addictive behaviors like video game playing or social media use.
Drink More Water
Our bodies are made of 60% water. Getting enough water maintains memory function, and mood stability, and increases motivation.
- Try drinking water before meals. This will help with digestion and prevent overeating.
- When you’re thirsty, try drinking a glass of water first before your other drinks or food intake.
- Drink before exercising or working out (if possible). This way, your body isn’t dehydrated during the activity, which can lead to cramping and fatigue later on after the workout is over.
- Drink when waking up in the morning and when going to bed at night (if possible). If not, all day long is possible for some people due to work commitments, then try aiming for half an hour each time instead – just make sure those two glasses count.
Conclusion
We hope this article has opened your eyes to the dangers of not taking care of your health. It’s important to remember that none of these things are permanent, and most can be treated with some simple lifestyle changes.
Now that you know what not to do, it’s time for you to start making better choices.