9 Everyday Habits That Can Harm Your Health
Man is a creature of habit, and we often tend to pick up bad ones along the way. Unfortunately, Mom can't always be around to warn you... or even tell you to knock it off. It's especially important to watch out for these 9 common bad health habits, because they actually have a bigger effect than you think!
1. Drinking Too Much Water
Surprisingly, it isn’t always healthy. Daily water intake needs actually vary from person to person. This depends on the person's age, weight, level of physical activity, and climate in which they live. The benefits of drinking water are also often exaggerated. Research shows that drinking too much water can lead to a salt deficiency in the body. This results in fatigue and decreased concentration.
2. Eating At Your Desk
As well as getting crumbs all over the keyboard, eating at your desk can lead to uncomfortable bloating and heartburn. In addition to digestion problems, this habit can also cause acid reflux due to being distracted or stressed while you're eating.
3. Crossing Legs
Sometimes, we just can't resist sitting like this. However, this position slightly rotates your pelvis and spine, which puts pressure on one side of your neck and back. In the end, this "comfortable" sitting position leads to: pinched nerves, stiff shoulders, and back pain.
4. Eating Microwave Popcorn
The problem is actually not in the preparation – it's the popcorn itself. Microwave popcorn often contains diacetyl. This food additive gives popcorn its buttery flavor. The vapors released when diacetyl is heated can damage your lungs. Waiting until the popcorn has cooled down can reduce the risk.
5. Wearing Open Shoes In Cities
Flip flops and sandals are popular in the summer. However, open footwear often results in: blisters, insect bites, and small cuts. Contact with bacteria can even lead to serious infections, such as cellulitis.
6. Sleeping On Your Side Or Stomach
Sleeping on your belly or side can be bad for your health. For one, it hinders the blood supply to your abdominal organs. These sleeping positions also put pressure on the spine, which can cause lower back pain. Sleeping with your head turned to one side also strains your neck.
7. Drinking Fat-Free Milk
When fat is extracted from milk, many vitamins are also lost. During production, milk powder is also added. However, the powder contains an unhealthy oxidized cholesterol.
8. Feeding Birds
This is a common sight in the city. However, it can cause a condition called bird fancier's lung. It's an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. Frequent exposure to dust and bird droppings can trigger this condition. Symptoms include a dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
9. Wearing Poor Quality Sunglasses
Sunglasses made from cheap plastic don't protect your eyes from UV rays. Instead, the shaded glass makes your pupils dilate, which in turn increases the amount of UV rays the eye is exposed to. The damage to the eye may not be noticeable at first, but years of exposure can lead to sight problems later in life. There's an increased risk of cataracts, for example.
Are you guilty of any of these bad habits? Maybe you'll think twice before doing them again!