There are very few people in the world, if any, who don’t have some kind of habit that they know they shouldn’t do. Whether it’s smoking, drinking too much, not exercising enough, and so on, these are things that we are guilty of from time to time. Yet we still do them even though we know we shouldn’t.
However, there are many habits that people don’t realize are bad. They simply aren’t aware that they should stop or cut down on these activities to start living a healthier life. Here are some of them, but there are many more. It’s always good to reassess your own life periodically just in case some of your habits are actually causing you harm.
Too Much TV
Watching TV is a great thing to do when you need to relax at the end of the day. Too much TV, however, is bad for you — so much so that it can cause strokes and heart attacks. The reason for this is that if you sit still for too long, your body’s blood sugar and fat levels will change, making them dangerous for you.
If you do sit for a long time (and it doesn’t have to be because you are watching TV; you might do a lot of driving or you might work at a desk for many hours a day), then you should get up and move around at least once every hour. You only need to move for five minutes or so to re-set the levels in your body, improve circulation, and reduce the risk to you.
Another reason that too much TV is bad for you is that you could be doing so many other things instead. You could be outside exercising, taking up a hobby, reading a book, talking to your family, and much more. So cutting down on TV is a good idea all round.
Not Brushing Your Teeth
If you don’t currently brush your teeth regularly (and by regularly, we mean at least twice a day) then you are causing yourself harm. Studies have proven a correlation between healthy gums and a healthy heart. Research is continuing in this field and the link isn’t fully understood yet, but it might be due to the plaque that will build up on your teeth over time when they aren’t brushed. Plaque, after all, is full of bacteria and this will cause inflammation. Bearing in mind that plaque particles will be swallowed, the bacteria can easily reach the heart and damage it.
If the reason you don’t brush your teeth is because you just aren’t in the habit of doing it, then it’s time to change. Alternatively, if the reason you don’t brush is because it hurts (or your gums and teeth are bleeding), you should make an appointment with a dentist who can help you.
Not Getting Help
If you know there is something wrong, either mentally or physically, yet you have gotten into the habit of telling everyone you’re okay, then you are doing yourself a disservice and could be damaging your body or mind for life.
The important thing to remember is that there will always be someone there to support you if you find you really do have a problem. That might be a friend or family member, or it could be a healthcare professional. As long as you speak to someone that’s a good start, and getting help is much easier that way. Once you do receive help, you’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in your life.
