11 daily habits that you may think
are "innocent" but harm the body
Many people strive to follow healthy lifestyles, but they may overlook risks inherent
in their seemingly simple and harmless daily habits
which may carry with them serious health-threatening harm.
Dr.Babak Ashrafi
a medical expert at Superdrug, reveals shocking facts that
will change your outlook on your daily routine.
Watch soap operas for a long time
- When you stand still to watch several episodes in a row
- your metabolic rate drops significantly
- and your circulation becomes lazier
making small blood clots more likely to form.
Spending long hours in front of the screen without moving day after day
also leads to back and neck pain due to unhealthy postures.
To solve this problem
experts advise using the "20-20-20" technique - every 20 minutes, look at
something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, while doing some light movements
such as stretching, standing, or walking a short distance.
Defer Alarm :
Many people resort to postponing the alarm to enjoy a few extra minutes of sleep
but when you press the snooze button, your body enters a state of hormonal
confusion, as cortisol rises and serotonin decreases, which makes you wake up
feeling exhausted despite sleeping enough hours. Worse still, this habit disrupts
your delicate circadian rhythm, affecting the quality of your sleep in the long term.
The solution to :
dealing with this bad habit is to set the alarm for the time you really need to wake
up, and put it out of reach to ensure you get up immediately.
Not taking leave :
"Chronic stress can negatively affect the mind and body, increasing the risk of
fatigue, anxiety, and fatigue," explains Dr.Ashrafi. Not taking regular breaks
whether it's a vacation, a moment of meditation, or even prioritizing self-care
may worsen stress levels and negatively impact long-term health.
Solitude :
"Spending too much time indoors, especially without exposure to natural light
may disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to lack of sleep
and low energy levels," the doctor notes.
Lack of :
exposure to natural light disrupts
the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) and serotonin (happiness hormone)
leading to sleep and mood disorders. Vitamin D deficiency resulting from lack of
exposure to sufficient sunlight also weakens bones and immunity.
Going out for even ten minutes in the fresh air daily can reset your
biological clock and significantly improve your mental and physical health.
Aerobics Mania :
Excessive exercise without adequate rest periods puts the body in a state of
chronic stress :
stress hormones rise, the immune response weakens
and the risk of injuries increases. It will therefore be important to plan to
take regular rest days in your training program.
Choosing the wrong shoes :
- Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable
- or inappropriate for your type of activity
- can cause a range of problems from putting pressure on
- your joints to causing foot pain and back and knee problems.
Hence :
it is important to invest in shoes with good arch support and a comfortable
sole that can prevent chronic pain and balance and standing issues.
Neglecting stretching exercises
Neglecting stretching exercises may lead to muscle shortening and joint stiffness
limiting range of motion and increasing the risk of injuries.
Daily stretching exercises
- even for ten minutes, can maintain your flexibility
- protect you from chronic pain, and improve your motor
- performance in all aspects of life.
Caffeine addiction :
"While caffeine may give you a boost of energy, too much can lead to anxiety
disturbed sleep, and increased heart rate" explains Dr Ashrafi.
The doctor pointed out that moderation and appropriate timing are the key to
benefiting from the benefits of caffeine without its harms.
Midnight meals :
- Eating late disrupts normal digestion
- raises blood sugar levels
- and stores excess calories as fat.
If you feel hungry at night, choose snacks such as yogurt
or unsalted nuts, and avoid sugars and simple carbohydrates.
Incorrect sleeping positions
Sleeping on the stomach is the worst sleeping position, as it causes a sprained neck
pressure on the spine, and may lead to chronic pain. The best sleeping positions
are on the back or on the side with a pillow between the knees to support the spine.
Overuse of social networks
Dr.Ashrafi :
explains that blue light from screens disrupts sleep, and constant social
comparisons across social platforms increase anxiety and depression.
Therefore :
the doctor recommends setting specific times for using social networks
and stopping unnecessary notifications.
