The vast majority of people try and follow a healthy lifestyle, but it isn’t always as simple as it seems. With so much conflicting advice out there, you could be incorporating habits into your daily routine that are actually bad for your health. To prevent this from happening, take a look at some of the most common “healthy” habits that aren’t quite so healthy…
Skipping breakfast
If you’re counting calories or following an intermittent fasting plan, skipping breakfast might seem like a good idea. Sadly, skipping breakfast can have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels and your metabolism, so it’s unlikely to deliver the benefits you’re looking for. What’s more, missing a morning meal can leave you feeling fatigued and lethargic, which means you’ll be less active throughout the day.
Cleaning your ears
If cleaning your ears with cotton buds or Q-Tips is a regular part of your hygiene routine, you might want to make some changes. Although these products can be used to clean the outer part of your ear, they shouldn’t be placed inside your ear canal. Putting anything inside the ear canal can increase the risk of developing health issues, such as tinnitus and permanently damaged hearing – something that you will need to check your hearing professionally to have diagnosed. In addition to this, you run the risk of damaging your eardrum or introducing bacteria to the area, which could cause a painful infection.
Exercising too hard
Exercise should be an important part of your daily routine but overdoing it can be bad for your health. When you push yourself too hard, you increase the risk of sustaining an injury, which could prevent you from working out for weeks or months. If you’re new to exercising, start off slow, and follow a guided fitness plan to help you achieve your goals.
Eliminating food groups
Unless you have a diagnosed allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity, you shouldn’t need to cut out any specific food groups. Doing so could lead to a variety of health problems, so always seek professional advice before you make drastic changes to your diet. When you cut out large food groups, you often miss out on essential vitamins and minerals, which could lead to serious health issues.
Using energy drinks
If you believe the hype, energy drinks can help you to feel great, lose weight, and gain muscle. In reality, however, they’re simply filled with glucose which causes your blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. Unless you’re a pro athlete, you probably don’t need to use energy drinks or gels as a pick me up. Instead, stick to water and let your body rehydrate naturally.
Incorporating Healthy Habits into Your Routine
If you want to be healthier, there are numerous ways to achieve your goals. However, the latest fad diets or workout crazes are rarely all they’re cracked up to be. Get medical advice before starting any new regimes and work with professionals, where you can, to get bespoke fitness and nutritional advice. Any new fitness or diet routine should be introduced slowly, so you adapt gradually and incorporate healthy habits into your long-term routine.