Many people do not understand how lifestyle affects their bodies and minds. Yet what we do and what we consume – or what we don’t do and don’t consume – can be the difference between leading a long healthy life or a short one riddled with medical problems and chronic issues.
As far as lifestyle choices which can negatively impact our health, there are a token few which rank high in terms of their frequency and their potential for doing damage:
Five Negative Lifestyle Habits that Impact Your Health
Poor Eating Habits
Poor eating habits can increase your risk of being overweight. Excess body weight puts a strain on every part of the body. Poor eating habits can also lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both of those conditions can increase the risk of heart disease. Certain cancers, osteoporosis, and depression are also linked to poor eating habits.
If your diet is not the best, then making a few small changes can make a major difference. You should try to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. You should also try to prepare more meals from scratch at home. Additionally, drinking more water is a simple way to improve your diet.
Effects of Heavy Drug Use
The impact of drugs on our lives can be devastating. The effects that drugs have on your body depend on the type that you are using. However, all drugs can affect your body in a negative way. Heart problems, depression, anxiety, and cancer are some of the problems that are linked to heavy alcohol and drug use. Overdosing on a drug or using it for long periods of time can be fatal.
Drug addiction is something that needs to be professionally treated. The sooner one gets outpatient drug treatment and therapy, the less likely the drugs will be to wreak havoc on their life and health. It’s imperative for those with a drug problem to seek help as soon as possible, in order to minimize the damage their habit can do to their lives.
Effects of Lack of Exercise
The human body was not designed to be sedentary. A lack of exercise can lead to weight gain. Weight gain occurs because your body will take in more calories than it burns if you are sedentary. A sedentary lifestyle will also weaken your bones and muscles. A lack of exercise has also been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle can have a negative effect on your mental health. Your body produces endorphins when you exercise. Those chemicals are essential for your mental health and well-being.
If you are not used to exercising, then it is best for you to start off slow. You can start off by exercising 10 minutes each day and then increase your time by 5 minutes each day. Make it a goal to get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
Effects of Too Much Stress
Stress is a part of being human. However, too much of it can affect your health in a number of negative ways. Muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, sleeping problems and irritability are some of the immediate effects that stress can have on your body. If stress is not controlled, then it can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, depression and anxiety.
You can take steps to reduce stress and anxiety by exercising, breathing deeply and socializing with your family members and friends. You should also say no to unimportant activities if you feel overwhelmed.
Effects of Too Much Partying
There is nothing wrong with going out and having a good time. However, partying too much can ruin your health. People who party all of the time usually do not get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can weaken the immune system. Additionally, if binge drinking is involved, then you can develop high blood pressure, liver disease, and depression.
There are many alternatives to partying. Game nights, movie nights and bowling are great alternatives to partying.
Our lifestyles have an influence on our lives. There’s no way around this truth. If you want to steer clear of chronic health issues, steer clear of lifestyle choices which increase the risk of them developing.
by Andrew Ellis
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