Seemingly Harmless Habits (That Actually Damage Your Health)

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Some of the things you do every day actively harm your body. And many of these habits don’t even seem harmless until you take a closer look at them.

In many ways, it’s our habits that define who we are as people. These habits become part of the routines that we create around ourselves, which is why breaking them is so difficult.

Of course, there are good and bad habits. Keeping a positive mindset, eating healthy, and exercising regularly are examples of good habits. When it comes to bad ones, we have obvious examples like drinking too much and smoking.

Managing your habits is a key part of leading a healthy life.

But there’s a challenge to consider.

There are many habits that you may have that appear harmless. When you smoke or drink, you know that what you’re doing isn’t good for you. But far more insidious are the habits that seem like they’re perfectly fine.

And it’s these habits that we’re going to look at in this article. If you do any of the following, you may need to focus on changing your behaviour to improve your quality of life.

Habit #1 – Listening to Music (Through Earphones or Headphones)

How often have you come back from work, popped in your earphones, and listened to music to calm down? Or, you may put on your headphones to play music to pump you up when you work out.

Earphones are so ubiquitous in society that almost every smartphone comes with a set as standard.

But these devices may cause more damage than you realise.

It all comes down to the volume that you listen at.

According to an article on Real Simple, the average person listens to music through their earphones at 110 decibels. For reference, the volume of a regular conversation falls between 40 and 60 decibels.

Extended exposure to such high volumes causes hearing loss. And yet, so many of us just crank up the volume without thinking about it.

You may not experience hearing loss for many years after the fact. However, repeated use of these devices can cause damage in the long term.

The National Institute of Health recommends sticking to 80 decibels or lower when listening to music. Keep that in mind the next time you put on a pair of ear or headphones.

Habit #2 – Keeping a Heavy Wallet in Your Back Pocket

It seems like such a natural thing to do.

You grab your change, pop it in your wallet, and slip that wallet into your back pocket. This means that you don’t have a bulging lump sticking out of your front pockets.

However, it also means that you have that lump in your back pocket. And this becomes a real problem when you sit down.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle is a Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Assistant Professor. She highlights the issue:

“Sitting on your wallet causes your buttocks to be uneven, which can trigger low back pain, hip pain, or even pain in the upper back or shoulders.”

She goes on to point out that the wallet can also have a negative effect on the nerves in your legs.

Keeping your wallet in your back pocket when you’re out and about likely won’t cause immediate issues. But try to make it a habit to remove it before you sit down.

Habit #3 – Sleeping In (And Skipping Breakfast as a Result)

It’s something that so many Australians look forward to.

You’ve had a hard week at work, and that Saturday looks better and better as it draws closer. You can’t wait to spend the entire morning lounging around in bed. Plus, you get to catch up on some sleep. Sounds must be a good thing, right?

That may not be the case.

The problem with the weekend lie-in is that it often comes at a cost. If you choose to skip breakfast so you can sleep a little longer, there’s a direct effect on your body.

Eating breakfast regularly boosts your metabolism. WebMD also reports that several studies show it leads to lower cholesterol, better memory, and superior overall health.

There’s nothing wrong with having an extra hour or two in bed when you get the chance. Just make sure that you eat some breakfast, even if you take it back to bed with you!

Habit #4 – Eating at Your Work Desk

Staying on the subject of eating, how often do you take dinner to your work desk?

It’s a common occurrence for many busy Australians. Instead of getting out of the office and away from work, you eat at your desk so you can stay on top of things.

That rushed meal gives you a little boost so that you can keep working…

But are you aware that the desk you’re eating on isn’t the most hygienic surface in the world?

We can look to a University of Arizona study to prove that. The researchers found that the average work desk contains up to 400 times as many germs as a toilet seat.

That sandwich placed on the desk isn’t looking so appealing anymore, does it?

If you must eat at your work desk, take the time to clean it regularly. But in an ideal world, you’ll eat away from the desk to avoid the germs altogether.

Habit #5 – Drinking Fruit Juice

How could drinking fruit juice possibly be bad for you? You’re told to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Surely juicing that fruit before you eat it doesn’t cause any issues.

Unfortunately, it can. And there are issues with both commercial juices and those you might make yourself.

On the commercial side of things, most fruit juices contain processed sugar. Such juices also undergo processing so that they last longer. That means you’re not getting the all-natural drink that you thought you were.

And when it comes to the juices you make yourself, the issue relates to fibre. The act of juicing strips all of the valuable fibre out of the fruit. So even though you think you’re getting a healthier juice than if you buy commercial, you’re still missing out on something important.

It’s always best to eat your fruit and vegetables directly. This ensures your body absorbs the maximum amount of nutrients from them. Plus, it leaves you feeling full, which means there’s less chance of you slipping into the habit of overeating.

Do You Need to Change Your Habits?

How many of these habits sound familiar to you?

You likely have a few of these habits yourself. And it’s also likely that you didn’t know about the damage that they can cause if you’re not careful.

This article serves as a reminder that even the most unexpected things can cause harm in ways you didn’t imagine. And on a wider scale, it shows us how vigilant we must be when protecting our own lives.

Making changes to some of your habits will go a long way to helping you do that. However, you also have to consider how you’ll protect those who are nearest and dearest to you.

Life insurance can do that for you.

With life insurance, you can protect your family financially should the worst happen to you.

You just need to answer a question:

To insure or not to insure?

That is a question that only you can answer. You may choose to get some professional advice, or to carefully consider your own needs and circumstances and deal directly with a Life Insurer like NobleOak who can provide you with general advice and product information.

This is general information only and does not take into consideration your individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs. Please do not use this information as a substitute for medical advice.

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