While most of us make it a point to eat healthy and exercise
as often as possible, we tend to ignore other simple things that
actually take a toll on our well-being. Find out if you are compromising
on your health everyday by indulging in these habits that you must say
goodbye to pronto.
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Wearing heels often:
Do your back and feet a favour and keep the high heels only for special
occasions. Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian may swear by their
towering stilettos but they also have a battery of help to cater to
their every need. An alarming number of women have started wearing heels
on a daily basis, or every other day. And experts say that wearing high
heels affects posture, puts a lot of pressure on joints, and at times
even lead to conditions like painful bunions, hammer toes, back pain and
arthritis. Not to mention the risk of twisting your leg and falling
down.
Damage control: Ensure that if you have to
wear heels often, they aren't more than 1.5 inches. Alternatively,
carry a pair of flats while you travel and wear heels only for some
time. Rest your feet after wearing heels by soaking feet in warm water.
Lugging around a heavy handbag:
Most women's handbags weigh an average two to five kilos. Shocked? You
should be. The sheer number of things women keep and carry in their
handbags can scare most men off. But carrying around such heavy bags put
your health at risk, you're inviting health problems like back, neck
and shoulder pain. Your posture also goes for a toss, lugging around a
heavy bag will make you slouch sooner or later.
Damage control:
Make it a habit to empty your bag every week or two and carry only
absolutely necessary items. Or even better, switch to a smaller bag to
avoid the temptation of putting more things in your handbag.
Not removing your makeup at night:
Sometimes even the most meticulous women give in and don't remove their
makeup before turning in at night. While this cardinal sin is a strict
no-no, what you should know is that leaving makeup on all night is
inviting skin problems. Your face needs to be cleaned of the makeup,
dirt and oil at the end of the day or you will face problems like
clogged pores, tired looking skin and pimples. Wearing eye makeup
overnight can cause eye irritation or even infection.
Damage control:
Keep a bottle makeup remover and cotton swabs right next to your bed so
that no matter how tired you are, you can just reach out and remove the
makeup.
Trying to outdo men at drinking: Among
those women who feel they can drink as much as men if not more? Do
yourself a favour and stay away from such drinking competitions. On an
average, women not only weigh lesser than men, they also have lesser
body water to dilute the alcohol, meaning they get drunk faster. Not to
mention the damage you do to your liver by these binge drinking
sessions.
Damage control: Let the men drink themselves silly. Recognise your limits and stick to them.
Wearing ill-fitting bras:
Over a whopping 65% of women are thought to wear the wrong sized bra.
And wearing an ill-fitting bra can have repurcussions like neck, back
and breast pain, bad posture, skin irritation and even breathing
problems. Not only will your clothes sit badly on you but you will also
slouch a bit.
Damage control: Go to a lingerie
store and get yourself measured by an expert so that you know your exact
size. And since women's bodies tend to change, get yourself measured
once a year.
Dwelling over the past: When you
refuse to let go or stop thinking of your past or worrying incessantly
about the future, you are damaging your present as well your future.
Mental stress can drain you of energy and affect you in more ways than
you realise. And according to studies, women have a higher chance of
suffering from stress-related disorders than men.
Damage control:
If you find yourself depressed or anxious, ask yourself what is causing
it. Is it a broken relationship or health woes? Address the problem at
the root and don't be afraid of asking for help.
Worrying about looks:
Vanity affects both the sexes but it affects a far larger number of
women than men. And women have a range of body issues, which can take a
toll on them mentally. Going on numerous diets, having eating disorders
and undergoing excessive cosmetic surgery can cause you physical harm.
Damage control:
Toss those beauty magazines in the trash and improve your body image by
making a conscious effort. Be happy with what you've been given.
Emotional eating:
When was the last time you reached out for that comfort food and
guiltily ate it? Women are genetically more emotional than men while
comfort eating affects both sexes, it is said that men tend to eat
emotionally when they're happy and women when they are upset. And women
tend to satiate their cravings with sweet, high calorie foods instead of
healthier options.
Damage control: Next time
instead of allowing the cravings to get the better of you (and your
waistline), distract yourself with something other than food.
Not sleeping enough:
Do you get your eight hours of sleep every night? Or do you scrimp and
then sleep all weekend? Don't blame a hectic lifestyle or stress on not
getting enough sleep. Not only can inadequate sleep make you feel
lethargic, it can also make you look like hell, apart from causing
accidents, overeating and an increased heart disease risk. Sleep affects
your blood pressure and mood more than it affects men.
Damage control: Go to sleep early as often as you can and wake up at the same time everyday.
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