Ask anyone, and it is highly likely that they will have at least one habit they know they should try to break but that because they don’t feel it is actually doing them any harm. They just don’t have the motivation or discipline to work on quitting and in some cases they lack education on the subject. When you think about it, it is highly likely that you’ll have a habit just like that as well – and perhaps more than one.
Although a lot of habits do seem harmless and are more of an annoyance than something that can hurt you, the fact is that some of these habits are hugely detrimental to your health. When you realize this, it might become easier to quit or at least look at ways that you can get help for your problem.
With that in mind, here are 3 of the worst habits for your health that you should minimize or eliminate entirely.
1. Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Thoughts around drinking alcohol, and specifically how much alcohol, are varied, and there are many studies taking place that will point you in one direction or another. Some say you shouldn’t have any alcohol at all, others say that a little each day is actually good for you, and still more suggest that it’s not how much you drink but what you’re drinking (the volume of alcohol within the drink) that is an issue.
The fact is, however, that no matter which of these studies turns out to be correct, if you drink alcohol to such an extent that it interferes with your day-to-day life or that it makes you physically unwell (or both) and you can’t stop by yourself, this habit has become far too dangerous. At this point, you might even be experiencing mental health issues. Therefore, you’ll need mental health intensive case management from substance abuse experts like the Los Angeles Life Adjustment Team to help you.
2. Watching A Lot Of TV
It makes sense that too much alcohol is a bad habit, and most of us know this already. However, surely watching TV isn’t a bad thing? We’re meant to relax from time to time, and TV is a great way to do just that, so wouldn’t it actually be the kind of habit that is healthy?
This depends on how much TV you’re watching each day. The main issue is that you’re not moving when you watch TV, and if you sit in one position for many hours at a time, you run the risk of blood clots forming, which can cause heart attacks and strokes. Not only that, but because you’re sitting, you’re not exercising, which can lead to obesity and diabetes, for example. On top of all of that, people also tend to get into the habit of snacking or binging on food and unhealthy drinks while they binge on their streaming shows.
In order to stay healthier, it’s best to move around every hour or so – take a five-minute walk or run on the spot. This will help you stay healthier if you want to binge some TV. You can also look at other, more active things to do instead of watching television, and cut your viewing time down.
3. Not Brushing Your Teeth
As easy as it is to get into the habit of brushing your teeth, it’s just as easy to fall out of that habit, and unfortunately, that can lead to problems. If you don’t brush your teeth, plaque will form. Plaque is a buildup of bacteria, and it can lead to inflammation not just in the gums but elsewhere in the body since the bacteria can travel through your bloodstream. That will lead to severe health problems like heart disease and heart damage.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and visiting your dentist regularly will ensure this is less likely to happen and keep you healthier as a result. It's a quick and inexpensive oral health act that can save you a lot of money and pain in the future. Also add in fluoride mouth wash or rinse if your dentist recommends it for additional protective benefits.
