All of us have routines that we follow, but many of them cause more harm than good. From how we work to how we live our lives, our bodies take the brunt of the consequences. Here are seven habits that are harming your body more than you think.
Taking too many showers
While it’s important to take a shower and cleanse your body, showering too much is a detriment to your hair and skin. According to Angela Palmer, esthetician of Very Well Health, “Showering too often, especially with alkaline soap or washes, can change the pH of your skin and leave your skin more susceptible to bacterial and viral invasion.”
Having poor posture
Your posture affects your body in many ways. Not only can your bones and muscles suffer, but your internal organs take the brunt of it as well. Bad posture interferes with how your organs work, causing problems with digestion and excretion. According to The Joint Chiropractic, “Sitting in a slumped over position means that your intestines are squeezed together, which can slow up your plumbing.”
Working too much
Doing too much work affects you physically and mentally, leading to burnout. According to a review published in the journal PLoS One, “As burnout follows a state of chronic stress, it has been suggested that the biological mechanisms resulting from prolonged stress may deteriorate physical health.” Burnout reduces your energy levels, makes you depressed, and causes emotional exhaustion.
Not drinking enough water
Your body needs water to perform tasks and to flush out toxins. According to the website Everyday Health, “Adequate water intake enables your body to excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation.” When you don’t drink enough water, or you’re dehydrated, your body cannot work as well as it should, and it can lead to serious problems such as persistent dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and mental confusion.
Drinking soda every day
Soda is loaded with sugar that can cause weight gain. According to the Harvard School of Health, “People who drink a lot of sugary drinks often tend to weigh more—and eat less healthfully—than people who don’t drink sugary drinks.” Soda has been linked to being one of the causes of diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and obesity.
Not getting the right amount of sleep
If you don’t get the right amount of sleep, your body and brain work harder to accommodate for it, often hampering your physical and mental capabilities. According to Taylor Jones, RD of Healthline, “Getting enough quality sleep is necessary for various reasons, including maintaining your immune system and metabolic function, processing the day’s memories and maintaining a normal body weight.”
Living a sedentary life
Lazing around the house and not exercising can have serious consequences for your body, mentally and physically. According to a study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, “Evidence has emerged identifying habitual sedentary behavior (prolonged sitting) as a novel risk factor for cardiometabolic disease and all-cause mortality.”
Sources:
Salvagioni, D., Melanda, F. N., Mesas, A. E., González, A. D., Gabani, F. L., & Andrade, S. M. (2017). Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies. PloS One, 12(10), e0185781. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185781
https://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/water-body-health.aspx
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/soft-drinks-and-disease/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-sleep-you-need
https://www.thejoint.com/arizona/phoenix/7th-ave-mcdowell-48018/what-poor-posture-does-to-your-body
Owen, N., Sparling, P. B., Healy, G. N., Dunstan, D. W., & Matthews, C. E. (2010). Sedentary behavior: emerging evidence for a new health risk. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 85(12), 1138-41.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-often-should-you-shower-4154629
