It is pretty easy to pick up any habit- that is what scientists say. Whether it is a good or bad one, it takes about fourteen (14) days to form a habit.
Imagine taking the same route to work for five days without inconvenience. Would you stick to that route on the sixth workday, or would you suddenly take a new route? There is a 99.9% chance that you will go for the old, convenient route. This is similar to how we pick up unhealthy habits that affect our health- we regularly indulge, get used to it and just stick with it.
Some unhealthy habits can be formed relatively easily, like self-medicating and eating late at night.
Keep reading to discover unhealthy habits to avoid to enable you to live healthier. You would also discover effective tips on how to drop them.
Unhealthy habits to Avoid
Skipping breakfast
One widespread bad health habit of avoiding is skipping breakfast. Skipping breakfast slows down your system’s energy conversion and stores the calories you have previously taken. This can affect your metabolism and, in the long run, your concentration level. To fix this, eat within 2-3 hours of waking up. A healthy breakfast should contain the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. A slice of whole-grain bread with eggs and milk will also do.
Self-medication
Another poor health habit that you need to drop is self-medication. This is when you take drugs to treat symptoms without getting a prescription from a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous because it can worsen your symptoms. After all, you fall sick, which leads to addiction. If you are experiencing any niggling symptoms, be sure to speak with a doctor on Doctall immediately and get a prescription from the comfort of your home or office.
Not exercising regularly
If there is a list of bad habits to avoid, the top of that list will be a lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise will do a lot of good for your body. Exercising regularly can save you from having heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. Introduce exercise to your daily routine by starting with a few minutes of cardio exercises like jumping jacks, skipping, and burpees daily.
Drinking alcohol excessively
Drinking alcohol in excess is a bad health habit, and you need to avoid it. Although a glass of wine or two can help you relax, too much of it poses a significant danger to your health. Alcohol contains about 120 calories in every five-ounce (150ml) glass without rewarding you with nutrients. Taking excessive alcohol can also increase your risk of liver damage and muscle cramps.
To reduce your alcohol intake, drink a glass of water before an alcoholic drink. Do this when you want to quench your thirst with alcohol. It would help you take less alcohol. Also, try to employ other relaxation methods, like taking a bath or reading a good book.
Incomplete dosage and skipping medications
Skipping your medications or not completing them as directed by your doctor is another bad health habit to avoid. An incomplete dosage can halt treatment. Complications can also arise when you skip your dosage for several health conditions. To stay up to date with your medications, ensure that your immediate family members are aware of your doctor’s prescription so they can keep you accountable and also set reminders on your devices. If you skip a day or two, speak with a doctor on Doctall for directions on the best way forward.
Biting fingernails
Most times, regular fingernail biting is a stress response. However, nail-biting is a bad health habit. It transfers germs from your mouth to your nails and from your nails to your mouth. You can also damage your nail bed. To fix this, take a nail file with you. You can keep one by your bedside, in your purse, office, or car. You can also apply nail polish to help you strike nail-biting from your list of bad habits.
Eating late at night
One of the young people’s most common unhealthy habits is eating late at night. Eating late at night is worrisome because of its adverse effects. It causes weight gain and acid reflux and prevents you from going to bed when you should. To drop this from your list of bad habits, have a mealtime routine and plan your meals. Also, incorporate proteins into your meals and avoid storing junk food at home. Drinking lots of water can help you de-stress, as stress can lead you to binge eat at night.
Poor posture
As comfortable as it may seem, slouching is a bad posture for your body. Sitting in a slouched position can cause tension headaches. Your head weighs approximately 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms), and if it is not squarely above your shoulders, the neck muscles start to feel overworked. To fix this, try switching positions. Shift your weight, be sure to lean back and cross your legs. Then switch to sitting in a “back-friendly” position – shoulders placed back, chin tucked in, and elbows relaxed at 90 degrees.
Habits can be formed and dropped. Dropping unhealthy habits might not be as easy, but it can be done with the right amount of resources and commitment. In addition to the list of bad habits above, other unhealthy habits to avoid include smoking as you grow older and rushing your meals.
