Many of us latch onto the latest health trends, believing they’re a ticket to improved vitality and longevity. We sip on kale smoothies, swear by 10,000 daily steps, and slather ourselves in sunscreen with religious fervor. We accept these “healthy” practices as gospel truth, hoping to reap their promised benefits. But what if we told you that some of these widely accepted habits are not as beneficial as they seem? Worse still, what if they’re actually damaging your health?
Drinking Water
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We are advised to drink around three liters of water a day. It helps keep us hydrated. But it is possible to become overhydrated, which will result in the loss of important minerals. So, when should you have some water? When your body tells you that you’re thirsty.
Morning Workouts
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Exercise in the morning can get your engines humming for the day. Light activities such as jogging are a great workout for the morning but you should avoid doing heavier or intense exercises. It’s recommended to do the more demanding training in the afternoon or evening. That’s because your body is more primed for muscle development at these times.
Having Nutritional Supplements
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Looking at supplements as the primary way to get the minerals and vitamins your body needs may actually have a negative effect on your health. For example, too much Vitamin K can cause blood to thin out, which prevents it from clotting. There is the possibility that a high amount of Vitamin C can decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment.
If you do take nutritional supplements, consider why you need them and if they’re necessary. Also, don’t take more than the daily recommended amount. You can consider substituting the supplements with well-balanced meals to ensure your body gets what it needs.
Weekend Sleep-ins
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Ahhh, the weekend. A time to relax and take things easy. It can be a time when you catch up on the sleep you missed out on during the week. However, research suggests that those Sunday morning lie-ins can increase the risk of liver disease. You also heighten the likelihood of getting heart disease and diabetes.
Want a healthy sleep on the weekend? Then stick with your regular weekday schedule. That way, your circadian rhythm is kept in harmony.
A Cup Of Tea Before Bed
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Your nightcap of choice may be a nice cup of tea. After all, it’s not coffee, so caffeine isn’t the issue. Well, think again. Tea does have that dreaded caffeine that can cause you to have a hard time nodding off. If you still want your cuppa before hitting the hay, try chamomile, lavender, or magnolia tea.
Then there are the traditional hot chocolate or warm milk options…
Eating All Your Vegetables
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Remember those childhood days when your parents threatened you with no dessert unless you ate all your vegetables? As a kid, you may have been onto something. Forcing someone to finish off all the greens on their plate can influence future dietary choices. That is, you may decide to kiss goodbye to vegetables altogether (thanks to the negative reinforcement you received). Don’t forgo vegetables as part of your nutritional plan. If the taste puts you off, look at ways to enhance the flavor with sauces or some creative cooking.
I’ll Have A Smoothie For Breakfast
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Starting the day off with a healthy breakfast is important. It gives you the energy to get through until at least lunchtime. Smoothies can help with that as well as they provide you with fiber. The downside is that when the fruit is blended “free sugar” is released. This type of sugar can increase your calorie intake as well as heighten the chance of dental decay.
A Salad A Day
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Salads can provide nutritional value to your diet. However, if your salad always contains the same ingredients, then you may be missing out on essential nutrients.
Look at creating a variety for your daily meals and ensure that it’s a balanced approach.
Talking About Your Problems
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There is nothing wrong with sharing your issues with friends and family. It’s a way to have an emotional dump.
Yet, if you consistently rehash the same issues, then it can lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and depression. Focus on how you can resolve the problem, let it go, and move forward.
Pushing Yourself Too Hard During A Workout
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You want to get a body that you’re proud of. A solid workout at the gym will deliver results. But overdoing your exercise can have a detrimental impact on your health. You run the risk of injuring yourself or becoming tired. Your body loves a good workout, but it also needs to rest. Listen to what your body is telling you.
Time For A Tan
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We all know that spending too much time in the sun may lead to skin cancer. Avoiding the sunshine can lead to Vitamin D deficiency. What can one do, then? The answer: little and frequent periods in the sunlight. Go for a 15-minute walk outside during your lunch hour and soak up some rays.
Too Much Sleep
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We already touched on the issue with sleep-ins, but why is getting too much sleep a problem? It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Though everyone is different regarding how much sleep they need, a good night’s rest should be between seven to nine hours.
Having A Long Detox Session
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Detoxing is a good way to flush out the harmful toxins in your body. Look to having a session last no longer than 3 days (unless you have been under medical orders to do it over a different period). When going through a detox, you aren’t providing your body with the proteins and nutrients it may need. Also, you may experience symptoms such as irritability, headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety.
Trusting Labels On Health Products
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Just because the label says “natural” or “healthy” doesn’t make a product so. It could be a marketing ploy to have your part with your cash. The best way to make sure is to look at the nutritional list on the packaging. Consider what is contained within the product and then make your decision.
Doing A Workout On An Empty Stomach
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Here is a wee experiment you can try. Next time you’re hungry, like really hungry, pay attention to how you feel and what your energy levels are like. Now ask yourself: ”Would I want to go through a rigorous workout at the gym feeling like that?”
Do yourself a favor and have something to eat before you hit the gym.
Taking The Skin Off Apples And Potatoes
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Would you tip a jar of multivitamins into your garbage bin? You are effectively doing this when you peel the skin off an apple or potato. Sure, you don’t want to consume whatever pesticides or other chemicals may be on the produce. However, the skin contains fiber, nutrients, and other goodness your body craves. Just give it a good wash.
I’ll Have A Mocktail
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You may think that a mocktail is a way to have a fantastic drink without alcohol. Yet, they can be packed with refined sugar from the syrup, which can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and weight gain. If you can’t do without your mocktail, then a healthier alternative is to make it with fruit juice.
Relaxing With A Wine
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Alcohol does have a sedative effect, and unwinding with a nice glass of wine can be a great way to end the day. The irony with alcohol is that it can impact your sleep cycle. If you find that your one glass is tiring into several a night to help you sleep, then you aren’t doing yourself any favors.
It might be time you consider an alternative way to relax before you crawl under the sheets.
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Each generation has its quirks. Most label it as an “old person thing” when asked why grandpa or grandma does something unusual. The defense from the other side is that “it was the way things were back in our day.”
