Common Ways We All Neglect Our Health Without Realising

We all know that drinking too much, being inactive and eating the wrong foods are bad for our health. But there are other habits that most of us are guilty of which can be just as damaging- without us really even realising. As humans we’re complex creatures with lots of physical and emotional needs, when one thing goes wrong it can impact the rest of us and affect our overall wellbeing. Here are some examples- and how to avoid them.

Not attending routine appointments

It’s easy to have the opinion ‘if it’s not broke, it doesn’t need fixing’. However when it comes to your health, it’s worth being proactive. Regular screenings and checkups can prevent more serious problems from occurring since any issues are caught early, and can give you peace of mind. You health professional can give you advice tailored to you. Whether it’s for regular checkups or for emergency eye care, make sure you’re signed up to a good optician- you can learn more here. You’ll need to visit the dentist every six months to two years, it depends on your needs and they will let you know what’s best for you. It can be worth going in for a checkup with your GP once a year, they will take your weight, blood pressure and can test you for any illnesses and diseases you might be susceptible too. These include screening you for certain cancers that you have a risk for, usually just based on your age and gender. Don’t wait until you start having pain and problems, attend your appointments and stay on top of your health needs.

Going to bed late

We all do it from time to time. There’s something good on tv so we stay up to watch it, or we get talked into going out with friends after work. Maybe you go to bed with the best of intentions but find that you can’t sleep. Research shows that missing even an hours sleep can cause effects on the brain comparable to brain damage. It’s SO important to our overall health, but something that’s often seen as a luxury. We should all be aiming for seven to nine hours, fit your schedule around your sleep- not the other way around. Make it a priority, it could add literally years to your life. If you’re not sure how well you’re sleeping, invest in a fitness tracking device. Using your heart rate and detecting motion it can tell when you’re in which stage of sleep, and can show you in easy to understand graphs the quality of sleep you’ve had. If you see that night after night you’re clearly not getting enough, you know that it’s time to make a change. Avoiding technology an hour or two before bed is recommended, read a traditional paper book instead or meditate. Avoid eating a large meal too close to bedtime, and exercise earlier in the day. Exercise can stabilise hormones and get rid of restless energy, both things that will help you to relax when you come to bed.

Being stressed for long periods

All of us experience stress at one time or another. The thought of things like university exams, an upcoming driving test or a big meeting at work can all fill us with anxiety. Pressures from home or work can build up and leave us feeling stressed until the situation passes and we return to normal. However, if you’re constantly under stress, this is incredibly damaging to your body as well as your mental health. It’s been clearly established that the two are closely interlinked, and chronic stress can impact your body in all kinds of ways. It can increase your blood pressure, leading to things like heart attack and strokes. It can cause you to struggle sleeping or eat too much or too little- both of which have their own health implications. It can generally cause low mood, meaning you can neglect things like personal health- even not brushing your teeth properly for a few weeks can result in cavities and gum problems. Sometimes stress can be a result of a real stressor- a situation in life or work. Sometimes it can be a result of anxiety, causing people to stress over things that aren’t real or haven’t happened yet (and aren’t likely to). The best thing you can do if the feelings don’t resolve on their own is to visit your GP. Getting onto the right treatment- it could be therapy, medication or both- will allow you to feel like yourself again, as well as protect your body from harmful effects. Don’t overlook your mental health, if you feel tired, unwell or run down then slowing down and relaxing could be just what the doctor ordered.

Spending too much time indoors

We truly are an indoor generation. Unlike in years gone by, most of us now work indoors. We socialise indoors and generally spend far more time inside than outside. One reason this is bad is because indoor pollution can be significant- things like cleaning chemicals, cooking fumes, allergens from pets and other toxins can all build up in enclosed spaces. Get an air purifier, or get into the habit of airing out your home every day. Another reason spending too much time indoors is bad is because it tends to limit you on exercise. Even walking and standing burns calories and uses your muscles, but when you’re indoors you’re most likely to be sitting or lying down. Studies have shown that even vigorous exercises doesn’t outweigh the negative affects of too much sitting (although it’s of course still beneficial). We all need to aim to get out more, sit less and be up and moving around for a large part of the day. Invest in a standing desk, take a walk at lunchtime and bike or walk some journeys instead of driving. It all helps. Finally, getting outdoors, breathing fresh air and soaking up some vitamin D from the sun can also help to boost mood.