Buzz
Have you ever thought that your default habits, such as fast eating, setting alarms,... could actually be detrimental to your health?
To form a habit, humans need about 21 consecutive days of performing a behavior. In reality, science says this is just an average and the number of days to nurture a habit varies greatly, from 18 to 254 days. There are countless common habits that everyone thinks are good as a matter of course, but the truth is completely opposite.
1. Setting an alarm clock
The noise from an alarm clock will abruptly wake you up, which is not good for cardiovascular health. It can raise blood pressure and cause stress due to increased adrenaline hormone. Waking up abruptly also leads to grogginess, fatigue, affecting both mental and physical health.
Setting an alarm clock is too familiar to many people, if we give up this habit, what should we do to wake up on time? According to experts, the best way is to create a natural sleep routine every day, go to bed and wake up at the same time. Of course, creating a natural biological clock is not easy at all. To start, you should practice waking up with natural light. Place your bed near a window, open the curtains to let the early morning natural light serve as an 'alarm clock'. If you must use an alarm clock, set a gentle sound or use a clock that wakes you up with light.
2. Keeping the house overly clean
Contrary to popular belief, keeping living spaces excessively clean is not good for health. Absolute cleanliness is necessary in certain environments like hospitals. However, at home, an entirely sterile environment can increase the risk of diseases such as asthma, allergies, and weaken the immune system. Of course, you shouldn't let your house be too clean and sterile, but hygiene should still be maintained.
Scientists have conducted studies showing that children who grow up in rural areas, exposed to various bacteria, pollen, and animal dander, often have stronger immune systems than urban children living in tidy, clean houses. Exposure to some beneficial microorganisms is not harmful but actually beneficial for physiological functions, metabolism, and the brain.
3. Taking lots of vitamins and supplements
People take vitamins and supplements thinking they will boost their health. However, surprisingly, research shows that consuming these supplements doesn't provide much benefit and only wastes your money. They don't reduce the risk of heart disease or cancer, nor do they prevent memory loss or mental illness. However, there are some supplements proven to be effective, such as prenatal vitamins for pregnant women which help prevent neural tube defects in newborns.
Additionally, experts warn against excessive vitamin consumption. You shouldn't consume too much water-soluble vitamin C as it can lead to kidney stones. Fat-soluble vitamin A can also adversely affect the liver.
4. Fast eating
In today's fast-paced life, we tend to rush everything, including eating three meals a day. Although it saves time, eating too quickly has a huge downside: weight gain. According to a study, 60% of fast eaters are overweight.
People who have the habit of eating quickly are at a higher risk of obesity around the waist, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy fats. Fast eating also often leads to large portion sizes and insufficient chewing, affecting digestion.
5. Cutting cuticles around nails
When doing nails, women often go through the process of cutting off excess cuticles around the nails to make them look better. However, this means you're not just cutting off an extra layer but also a natural protective barrier of the body. This layer of skin is not redundant but acts as a 'shield' to protect the nails from bacteria. Removing this protective skin can make the skin dry or more susceptible to infection.
6. Skin peeling
Peeling dead skin is a way to remove excess skin from the body, it's a healing process, a sign that the body is trying to shed damaged cells. However, don't be foolish and peel the skin when it's just starting to peel off. Let the skin peel naturally, don't rush to peel it off because that's harming your own skin. While waiting for the skin to naturally peel off, remember to moisturize regularly and protect the exposed skin when going outside.
7. Choosing low-fat and seemingly healthy foods
Health-branded food brands are deceiving you that all low-fat or gluten-free products are good for health. The sad reality is that sometimes, these processed foods may contain more sugar than non-diet foods.
To avoid being deceived, consumers should carefully check the nutritional information before purchasing. Compare the nutritional content with similar products from other brands to see if it's really low-fat and healthy as advertised.
Source: Bright Side
