The wellness industry is a thriving sector of business because so many people want to achieve better health. Whether they are pursuing physical fitness, healthier skin, stronger bones, fuller hair, or stronger mental health, everyone is looking for solutions to incorporate into their wellness journey.
Due to misinformation or just a plain lack of knowledge, many people may take shortcuts or use incorrect methods to reach their desired goals. After all, not every health guru online knows what they are talking about, nor is every person the same. Health strategies that work for one individual may be ineffective for another, making them question why this method isn’t working.
While pursuing better health usually means adopting new habits, it also means cutting out negative behaviors that are damaging your health. You may be engaging in activities that are hurting your wellness without even realizing it. To protect you from negating your pursuit of wellness, here are five common wellness mistakes that you need to cut out of your routine.
Eating Right Before Bedtime
Late-night snacks could be the scourge of your wellness plan. When you eat food right before heading to bed, it is processed differently than the food that you eat during the day. Typically, the calories that are consumed during the day are burned in some way from activities that you participate in.
But when you eat right before going to sleep, your body ends up storing the calories as fat because it does not need the energy provided for movement. Though there are some healthy snacks that are not too harmful if you eat them late at night, it is better to avoid food this late in the day since your body will not make much use of it.
Using Shampoo in Every Shower
Keeping your hair clean and voluminous is a top priority for many who are seeking wellness. Some may think that using shampoo often is the best method to achieve this. But shampooing for every shower causes more harm than good for your hair. First off, it can reduce the natural shine.
When you over-shampoo your hair, you are stripping it of natural oils that can help it maintain its shine. Additionally, too much shampoo can cause the color of your hair to fade faster, resulting in the increased use of coloring products as you age. When you allow your hair to retain its natural oils, it can also be a little easier to style. Avoid using shampoo in every shower to preserve wellness for your hair.
Eating Lunch at Your Desk
What is the difference between eating at your desk and eating at a table? Not much, you might think. But research suggests that fully devoting your attention to the food in front of you can help you feel fuller for a longer period. When you eat amid distractions like working through lunch, you are more likely to encounter a mid-afternoon craving.
This habit could lead to you consuming extra calories during the day that you do not need, which can, in turn, cause weight gain. Instead, take an actual break to sit down and enjoy your meal rather than trying to multitask and end up feeling less satisfied after eating.
Using Supplements to Maintain Nutrient Levels
If you know anything about supplements, you have probably seen them billed as products that can compensate for gaps in your diet. If you aren’t getting enough of a particular vitamin because you dislike vegetables, you might think that taking a certain supplement can make up for it. This assumption is false.
Supplements are not meant to replace a healthy diet because food is a far more efficient delivery system for nutrients. The right way to take daily multivitamins or mineral supplements is to include them on top of your balanced eating habits. That way, they can further support cellular health rather than rely on it.
Not Drinking Enough Water
This health tip is no secret. Most people understand that drinking enough water is a huge part of being healthy, and conversely, not drinking enough could be damaging your wellness. Research suggests that you should be drinking half an ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight.
So if you weigh 160 lbs, you should be drinking 80-160 fluid ounces of water per day. Water helps with the delivery of nutrients throughout your body and can flush toxins out of your system. If you are not providing your body with sufficient levels of that precious H2O, then now is the time to make a change.
Be Informed About Effective Wellness Practices
A lot of these mistakes come down to ignorance. People simply do not know that the behaviors they are engaged in are negating their wellness efforts.
Whether you are eating before bed, over-shampooing your hair, eating lunch at your desk, relying on supplements, or not drinking enough water, understanding how these actions are affecting your health is the first step you should take on your health journey.
Conduct your research to see what other habits you have that could be holding you back from a certain level of well-being. Just cutting these behaviors out of your life could make a huge difference in your wellness.
HP Thoughts: Sometimes we often forget how important breathing is to our overall well-being. We do this involuntarily, of course, without realizing that this action alone is enough to lower our stress levels if done properly. Read our article to learn more — Deep Breathing exercise To Relieve Stress And Relaxation.
