We all have a few, those pesky habits that we just cannot seem to part with. No one is perfect, and we all need something to help us release stress at the end of the day, but is your stress-relieving routine potentially harming your health?
There are a few bad habits that we all should be working to break. These habits can cause health problems now and in the future and even lead to life-threatening consequences. Do something positive for your health today to ensure that you have a healthy future. Here are four bad habits that you should break right now to improve your health.
Smoking cigarettes
The information out there proving how bad cigarette smoke is for your health is endless. Consequences can lead to severe, life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and emphysema. I smoked for many years, and although I’m not proud of it, I’m glad to say I kicked the habit.
There are more options today to help smokers kick the habit. In addition to support groups, gum and nicotine patches, you can also try something like Smokeless Image Electronic Cigarettes to help wean you off your addition to nicotine and eliminate so many of the negative side-effects of smoking. They worked surprisingly well for me, and now I never have a craving for nicotine.
Not wearing sunscreen
Our society is still centered on the idea that tanned skin means healthy and beautiful. This assumption could not be farther from the truth. The sun’s UV rays, while provide beneficial vitamin D in small doses, actually damage the skin.
Many of us think a sunburn is just another nuisance, but it is much more than that. That sunburn has caused permanent damage to your skin, causing wrinkles and discoloration, but can also lead to life-threatening melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer. Protect yourself every day, even if you won’t be in the sun long, with daily sunscreen and protective clothing.
Bad bedtime routines
Although they can vary, there are a lot of bad bedtime habits that we practice that can be damaging to our health. Some of these habits include eating right before bed, especially sugars, and watching a screen for hours before bed.
Eating right before you lay down for bed is hard on your digestive system, because you are not giving your body enough time to properly digest the food before going to sleep. Eating before bed can also prevent your from getting adequate sleep and cause weight gain over time.
Common especially with those who have TVs in their rooms, watching a bright screen before bed can have negative consequences. The light keeps the brain triggered, so falling asleep becomes more difficult and your body is unable to relax completely. This disruption in regular sleep can cause a series of health problems from stress and irritability to weight gain and high blood pressure.
Not getting enough sleep
As mentioned before, we do a lot of things while we are awake that can prevent us from getting a good night of sleep. This is not even considering stresses at work or with family that may keep you up at night.
Getting 8-10 hours of sleep a night is crucial for us to function at our highest potential. Getting enough sleep allows your body to reset and heal itself. Without this reset, your immune system becomes weaker, which can make you more prone to illness and disease.