If you have a few terrible health habits, don’t worry about it. Nobody can be a health expert all of the time, nor should they attempt to be. However, there are a few little habits that have an impact on your health and should be addressed and corrected whenever possible. That’s because, while some of them may appear insignificant, they can have a significant impact on your overall health.
According to specialists, some practices can lead to more serious health problems in the future. However, by making a few modest changes and adopting new habits, you can easily turn things around. “Any positive lifestyle change will have a positive effect on health,” says Dr. Susan Besser of Mercy Medical Center to Bustle. “Even if they are only small changes, they accumulate and help.” Take flossing as an example.
If you don’t floss (as explained below), you risk damaging your teeth, and poor dental health can eventually affect the rest of your body. However, by simply including a few minutes of flossing in your daily routine, you may significantly enhance your health. It just goes to show how interconnected your entire body is, and how one simple alteration may have a significant impact. Here are a few small habits that experts believe can have an impact on your health, as well as what you can do to change them.
1) Engaging in Negative Self-Talk. Most of us have an internal dialogue called “self-talk” that plays on repeat in our thoughts. If it’s a positive track (with phrases like “you got this!” or “you’re doin’ great!”), you’re more likely to have a healthy sense of self-worth. However, if your mind is full of negative self-talk, it may truly pull you down – and even start to affect your health.
“Research suggests that when people are engaging in negative self-talk, or have negative thoughts, that the production of serotonin (the chemical is responsible for happiness) is produced and secreted less than in those who have positive self-talk and positive thoughts,” according to Dr. Danielle Forshee of Bustle. This may increase your risk of developing conditions such as depression.
Even while it may seem difficult at first, the more you strive to shift your negative ideas to positive ones, the better you will feel. “We must change our mindset regarding the way we see the world, and the way we see ourselves,” Forshee elaborates. And speaking with a friend, partner, or therapist is an excellent place to begin.
2)Forgetting to floss. While flossing isn’t the most exciting way to spend your time, it’s nevertheless vital to do it on a regular basis, not just to keep your pearly whites healthy, but also because poor oral hygiene can have a negative impact on your overall health. “Flossing improves oral health by breaking down bacteria that can be harmful to your internal organs,” Dr. William Phillips of Park Cities Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates tells Bustle.
“It also helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease that could lead to further health complications within the body.” Give your teeth a once-over every day. If you dislike using regular minty floss, consider purchasing a water pick flosser, which sprays water between your teeth and cleans them effortlessly.
3 )Missing a few hours of sleep each night. It may not seem like a huge problem to lose a few hours of sleep every night. However, it can mount up over time and can have a significant influence on health. “With the average person getting close to six and a half hours of sleep, just going to bed 30 minutes earlier could push you into the recommended range of seven to eight hours per night,” Chris Brantner, certified sleep coach and founder of Sleep Zoo, tells Bustle. “People in this range are less likely to be affected by … high blood pressure, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression — the list goes on.”
However, getting enough sleep might also help you live a better life. “People who get more sleep also tend to be more productive, better-equipped for creative thinking, and problem solving, and just more focused in general,” he claims. Doesn’t it sound pretty worthwhile?
4)Skipping Breakfast or Other Meals. It’s perfectly fine if you’re too busy for breakfast or lunch on occasion, or simply don’t feel like eating. . It is crucial, however, not to develop the habit of missing meals on a regular basis. When you do, it might have a cascading effect and begin to impair your health. “Research shows breakfast improves alertness and concentration,” says Becky Kerkenbush, MS, RD-AP, CSG, CD, a clinical dietician at Watertown Regional Medical Center.
“In the morning, energy levels are reduced by up to 80% from the night before. Without food, your body starts conserving energy and burning less calories.” That can leave you feeling sluggish. So eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “Eating every three to four hours can fuel a healthy metabolism, maintain muscle mass, and prevent hunger between meals,” the doctor suggests. “It also maintains blood sugar and regulates the release of cortisol.” This can even make you feel less stressed and healthier overall.
5) Slouching. Slouching at your work or slumping forward while walking around can have a greater impact on your entire body than you realize. “Poor posture is contributing to degenerative disc disease and other degenerative neck problems,” Alex Bar, a health and wellness coordinator from Back in Action, tells us. “It is simple enough to avoid posture issues and change a poor habit into a good one. Follow these simple rules: Consistently check yourself. Make sure your head is not leaning too far forward and your shoulders are level. Develop posture-friendly practices.
Try to remember the appropriate manner to sit. (You could install an app that reminds you to do so.) And keep practicing your new habit until your body adjusts to it. Good posture can help prevent degenerative illnesses, but research shows that it can also improve your self-esteem. So, whenever you catch yourself, consider pushing your shoulders back and straightening your back, since this can have a variety of health benefits.
6) Not breathing properly. If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, you know that most of us breathe shallowly, from our chests rather than our stomachs. However, doing so can have a significant impact on health in the form of increased stress and all of the associated consequences. “A small breath seems inconsequential, right? However, yogi Anita Perry tells Bustle that when you are conscious of your breathing, your pulse rate naturally lowers and your body relaxes. “Just a moment, to breathe in through the nose, hold the breath at the top, and then release can calm the body and mind in so many ways.” So, the next time you discover you’re holding your breath, try deep breathing instead.
7. Not Drinking Enough Water. Did you realize that even mild dehydration can lead to health problems? “In many cases, people get headaches, constipation, and muscle pain when they become slightly dehydrated,” says Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine. Make sure you consume the recommended six to eight glasses of liquids every day, such as water, juice, or tea.
“This is important to keep your body hydrated and make it easy on your kidneys to filter your blood,” according to him. Additionally, drinking more water can make you feel more energized. Little mistakes, such as getting six hours of sleep instead of eight, or failing to drink enough water, can have a significant impact on your health. However, with a few tweaks, you can simply improve your health and feel better.