Staying healthy is a priority in everyone’s mind. We want to live as long as possible, so we follow healthy habits to keep us strong and vital. When it comes to healthy habits, you would think that you can never go wrong. However, some healthy habits can be too much of a good thing. Eating healthy foods can keep you healthy, but overeating can make you gain weight and susceptible to sickness. Exercise helps keep you fit, but working out too hard or too often can cause injuries and fatigue. Here are a few healthy habits that can backfire against you.
Drinking Diet Soda
Diet sodas are a popular beverage around the world. The world got its first introduction to diet sodas in the 1950s. Their initial purpose was to help people with diabetes. In later years, people would drink them to cut down on their sugar intake. While cutting down on your sugar is good for you, non-natural sweeteners can cause different problems. Studies show that people who drink diet soda tend to have a higher body mass index or BMI. They are also more prone to eat more, especially more high-calorie foods. If you’re looking to decrease your sugar intake, your best beverage option is water. You can add flavor to your water by adding things like cucumber, lemon, lime, and raspberries. You could also try drinking sparkling water, as it gives you the same sensation as drinking soda.
Catching Up on Sleep
Getting a healthy amount of sleep is essential to overall wellness. A large amount of Americans work a typical Monday through Friday schedule. When the weekends come around, they use their free time to catch up on their missed sleep during the week. Sleeping in on the weekends sounds like a good idea, but it doesn’t make up for not getting seven to nine hours a night during the week. Adequate sleep can curb fatigue and mental fogginess. It can also cut down the risk for severe medical conditions, like obesity and high blood pressure. Not following a strict sleep schedule can also cause headaches for some people. The best way to get back into your sleep rhythm is to go to bed earlier or wake up at the same time every day.
Taking Vitamin Supplements
Your body needs a lot of different vitamins and minerals to function correctly. For most people, there’s little risk in following federal guidelines regarding the intake of vitamins and minerals. However, some people far exceed the guidelines, thinking that more significant dosages will bring considerable health benefits. Some dietary supplements, like calcium, can help fill in gaps. Still, you shouldn’t use vitamins supplements to replace good nutrition. Vitamin overdoses can cause serious health issues. For example, hypervitaminosis A can cause diarrhea, nausea, and rashes. It would be best to get your vitamins from your food. If you do decide to take vitamin supplements, don’t overdo it.
Brushing Your Teeth
Good dental hygiene is vital for keeping teeth and gums healthy. On the flip side, brushing your teeth too often or with too much pressure can thin the enamel, darkening your teeth and giving them a sandblasted look. Aggressive brushing can also cause gum recession, making your teeth painfully sensitive and raising the possibility of tooth decay and loss. You should gently brush and floss your teeth twice a day. It would also be best to use a toothbrush with synthetic bristles with rounded tips. Wait thirty minutes to an hour after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing your teeth. You can also rinse your mouth out with plain water or a mixture of water and baking soda.
Cleaning Your Kitchen
There’s no doubt that a dirty kitchen can increase the risk of contracting a food-borne illness. Usually, after cooking a meal, most people use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe down their countertops, sinks, and other surfaces. However, cleaning with that damp or cloth can raise the risk of exposure to E.coli, salmonella, and other disease-causing bacteria. To prevent disease, experts recommend putting the wet cloth or sponge in the microwave for one minute. Putting the sponge or dishcloth in the microwave will get rid of any bacteria and germs.
Snacking Throughout the Day
When trying to lose weight, your diet is the most critical component. Instead of eating three big meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, most people think it’s best to eat small meals and snacks throughout the day. Small frequent meals are said to be the secret to staying thin. Nevertheless, that may not be the best idea, especially if you’re eating late at night. Eating late into the night may inhibit weight loss and cause weight gain. Our bodies metabolize calories much better if we eat during the daytime, within a ten to twelve-hour time frame. Most people eat within a fourteen to sixteen window and eat dinner later at night. It’s best to eat within a ten to twelve-time period. That means if you eat breakfast at seven in the morning, you should be done eating dinner at seven p.m.
Health and wellness have become a popular industry in recent years. Everyone is trying to get in shape or stay in shape to feel better about themselves. Whether you’re trying to get back into shape or start from square one, there will be some healthy habits that you have to pick up and add to your daily routine. However, it’s important to remember that overdoing certain healthy habits can backfire on you and cause more damage. If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, it would be best to ease new habits into your routine instead of making drastic changes. By slowly introducing these habits, it allows your body to acclimate to the changes. If you make too many changes at once, it may shock your body and cause more damage than you expected. It would be best to talk to your doctor or a health professional before taking on any new healthy habits. Your doctor can give you the pros and cons and possibly make suggestions on your healthy habits.