Everyday Habits That Damage Your Body, Say Experts

The history of humans is often connected to the concept of Darwinism, or survival of the fittest. Our existence today is proof that we not only descended from survivors, and those survivors avoided risks and injuries, or survived them, to get where they needed to be to continue to the next generation. Sounds rather dystopian, but it’s something to learn from.

 “Though we inherited many of the traits that defined our ancestors’ resilience, some of the conveniences that define our daily habits can temper those talents,” said Katie Belfi, a crisis management expert who focuses on resiliency. Read on for 6 habits that are damaging your body—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You Have “Long” COVID and May Not Even Know It.

Our constant access to online search functions has allowed us to delegate our deliberation and avoid the thinking process altogether. Studies have shown that this habit is making us mentally lazy and compromises our ability to think analytically down the road. “The research confirms that our reliance on our devices for answers is diminishing our natural curiosity and impeding our ability to think for ourselves,” said Belfi.

“Confidence in our ability to solve problems and think creatively is paramount to our ability to face difficult situations and remain resilient.” It’s important to flex our mental muscle regularly to keep it toned and remind ourselves of what we know and what we’re capable of. 

Stop skipping breakfast and eating late at night! Too much late-night eating sends you to bed with a too-full stomach. “You may be tired, but your digestive tract is running at full speed to process the big dinner you just downed,” said Dr. Keith-Thomas Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. 

This study also suggests that skipping breakfast and late-night eating are also associated with more obesity and poor blood glucose control.

Sitting for too long “can cause gluteal amnesia, a tightness in the glutes that can come from just sitting too long.,” said Dr. Ayoob. Think lots of working from home that turns into “living at work,” too many Zoom calls, never leaving the screen, etc. 

 “To prevent it, get up and move at least every 30 minutes during the day and stretch your legs,” said Dr. Ayoob. Working remotely now? Go for a walk twice a day for about 20-30 minutes — and leave the phone at home. Check with a certified personal trainer for more tips on stretching exercises to overcome gluteal amnesia if you think you have it.

RELATED: 9 Everyday Habits That Might Lead to Dementia

Avoiding fruits and vegetables is really spoiling your body. If you think you don’t like fruits and vegetables, you haven’t tried enough of them or prepared the right way. Getting enough of them — daily — is critical. Not doing so is truly spoiling your body because they’re too rich in good benefits. It’s the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (yes, that’s a thing!). 

 “Avoiding them of not getting enough (about 2.5 to 3 cups daily, combined) and a good variety, means an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, constipation, colon cancer, buildup of bad bacteria in the gut, and lots more,” said Dr. Ayoob. It’s more than the vitamins, minerals, and fiber they contain. “They’re loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds that fight disease and inflammation and there’s just no substitute,” said Dr. Ayoob. Get them into your diet every day. And try a few you haven’t eaten in a while.

RELATED: The #1 Cause of Obesity

The new term for obsessively consuming bad news. Psychologists suggest that many of us do this as a means of coping with uncertainty, and despite the negative feelings it creates, we can’t stop ourselves. “Studies have linked exposure to too much negative news – or even just negative headlines –to poor mental health, increased depression, and anxiety,” said Belfi.

This harmful habit can also encourage a feeling of hopelessness that compromises our belief in our ability to face adversity and persevere. “I advocate conscious consumption of news as a means of protecting our mental health and preserving our sense of security,” said Belfi. Conscious consumption means being aware of what information you are taking in, how much of it you’re consuming, where it’s coming from, and how it’s impacting you. “To keep yourself out of the scroll hole, I recommend identifying one or two reputable news sources, limiting the number of times a day you check them, and setting a time limit for your news sessions,” said Belfi.

RELATED: Signs You’re Getting One of the “Most Deadly” Cancers

We all do this, and it’s a terrible habit — both for our sleep and for our long term health. “This device emits blue light, which can suppress melatonin production, consequently interfering with your body’s circadian rhythm,” said Sarah Rocha, CEO of AgelessBloom. This can cause insomnia, sleep disorders, and lethargy. “The best way to deal with this is to cut down your screen-time at least 30 minutes before you sleep,” said Rocha. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.