In a society that constantly strives to be healthy, happy, and full of life, many of our habits aren’t so “healthy” after all. See how your habits stack up and what you can do to live a little healthier.
Diet Sodas
Although the “zero calorie” label may seem appealing, diet sodas have no nutritional value. In fact, the artificial sweeteners used to sweeten these drinks trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode and leads to weight gain. Still want the fizz without the insulin spike? Try sparkling water with natural flavors instead!
Not Wearing Sunscreen
Sure it might be a pain to add this step to your beauty routine, but it is well worth it. Wearing sunscreen can prevent your chances of developing skin cancer as well as help you keep a young, even skin tone. If you want an easy SPF fix, try a moisturizer powder with SPF built in!
Sleeping with Your Phone
Okay, we all do it. You set the various alarms for the morning and then slip your cell under your pillow. Well you might want to consider changing your routine. Research shows that mobile phones pump out electromagnetic radiation, which delays and disrupts sleep. Radiation interferes with our body’s ability to repair itself from any damage suffered throughout the day. Instead, try putting your phone across the room so you can effectively get that full night of sleep.
Washing Your Hair Too Often
While cleanliness is necessary for any collegiate, washing your hair TOO often is doing more harm than good. Washing your hair too much strips your hair from essential oils necessary for those luscious locks. Instead, try to go a few days without washing your hair by using dry shampoo to freshen up. (Bonus: Day-old hair styling typically hold better than freshly washed hair!)
Not Washing Off Your Makeup Before Bed
While washing your hair every day might be a bad idea, washing your makeup before bed is of utmost importance. Even though we all get lazy, when you don’t wash off old makeup, microscopic bugs, called mites, live on your eyelashes and other places leaving you with no choice but to wash off your makeup in the morning…flushing those same mites into your eyes. Can you say gross?! If this isn’t enough, leaving makeup on overnight can cause pimples to form from the dirt and oils trapped in your pores. If you are too tired to get up and fully wash your face, try makeup wipes for a quick clean.
Eating Low Fat
Yes, low fat can be a good option at times. However, studies show eating low fat all the time can actually hinder your health. Not getting enough fat in your diet can lead to depression, poor vitamin absorption, and over-eating. A balance in your diet is necessary to keep your nutrients in check. Try adding in nuts, peanut butter, full fat dairy products, olive or coconut oil, and avocados to your diet to get those essential fats to live a long and healthy life.
Working Out Too Much
No matter how much you want that bikini bod, when it comes to having too much of a good thing, exercise is a prime example. It turns out that exercising excessively can push your body to enter a catabolic state in which your tissues can break down, stress hormones are released, and your immune system weakens, increasing your risk for injury and leaving you with little benefit. Instead, aim to go to the gym a few times a week and give yourself a few rest days to allow your body to heal.
Sleeping Too Much
Sleeping is mostly considered a good thing, but what if I told you too much sleep could be hurting your overall health? It turns out that too much sleep can put you at risk for various health complications such as depression, diabetes, and weight gain. When you have the choice to wake up or press snooze you might want to think twice.
Not Making Your Bed
While we all have those rushed mornings in college, making your bed might have more health benefits than you realize. Not only does making the bed help you feel a sense of responsibly and routine (kind of like having a pet), but people who make the bed report sleeping longer and feeling better. Spending an extra three minutes in the morning to put your sheets and pillows back into place is all you need to make a big change to your health. Try it!
Skipping Breakfast
You have probably heard it a million times before, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!” Yet when you are flying out the door in the morning and totally forget to eat, you think nothing of it. Well you might want to rethink your morning routine. Skipping breakfast puts the body in a stressful state of fasting for longer, disrupting your metabolism, which can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, and heart disease. To remedy these risks associated with skipping your morning meal, try pre-made breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, or any other microwavable item to hold you over. Still too much, try a nutritious granola bar with some fruit and juice or milk. Use these small tips and you will feel more energized and ready to take on the day.