10 Daily Habits That Are Killing You

 

You are certainly familiar with the laundry list of common vices that are harmful to your health. You know Big Macs are not good for you and you are aware of the harmful effects of smoking. But what about those habits that have become part of your everyday life? You know, the ones who aren't necessarily screaming, "I'm going to kill you," but you're actually putting your life in danger?

 

Here are 10 daily habits that are killing you - and what you can do about them.

 

1. Skip flossing 

If your M.O. When the dentist is breeding about how often you floss, it's time to check those lies at the door. As you probably already know, flossing regularly will help reduce your risk of developing gum disease. But CardioSmart also highlights some of the research linking gum disease to heart disease. The American Academy of Periodontology says heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with periodontal disease.

 

You still have two minutes left in your morning and nighttime bathroom routines.

 

2. Ignore your snoring

 There is no doubt that a person who snores is not really the best sleeping partner. But more importantly, their health can be compromised as snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, this sleep disorder can have serious consequences, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, so see your doctor. There are many devices available, from cushions to breathing mechanisms, that can keep you from cutting too many logs.

 

3. Watching too much TV

 You may be surprised to learn that just about any amount of TV can lead to serious consequences in the end. According to research reported by USA Today, people who watched TV for at least three hours a day doubled their risk of early death. In the same story, cardiologist Nisa Goldberg of the American Heart Association said, "Watching television is a passive, sedentary activity, and especially people who do it for hours don't pay attention to their lifestyle and diet." when you sit for too long, the blood vessels become stiff, resulting in a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries.

 

So, instead of slouching on the couch for hours on end, make a conscious effort to limit your television time and trade couch time for other activities. If you've been at work all day, consider taking a little walk to clear your head instead of relaxing in front of your TV.

 

4. Bite your nails

 Since your fingers touch pretty much everything you come into contact with throughout the day, your fingertips and nail beds are full of bacteria. Jim White, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells Men's Fitness that salmonella and E. coli can be carried under the fingertips. According to the CDC, people can get very sick when infected by the most dangerous strain, E. coli O157: H7. In addition, the CDC says some people can also develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

 

Luckily for you, this bad habit isn't too hard to break. There are a lot of homemade remedies that will make your nails sound unattractive to your nails.

 

5. Spiking your coffee (with candy)

 While there's no denying the super effects coffee has on your productivity, we've got a little less than pleasant news about all the sugar you put in. According to Health, you can add up to 50 calories by mixing in just one and a half and a few packets of sugar, which is enough to add five extra pounds to your frame in a year. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, too much added sugar can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Cutting back on the sweet stuff means your morning cup no longer tastes like dessert, but at least doesn't sacrifice your health.

 

6. Popping painkillers too often

 It's in the name - painkillers are meant to relieve any ailments you may feel at any given time. But just because your Oxycontin isn't showing up regularly doesn't mean you're not at risk of developing a habit. Reader's Digest mentions that overuse of painkillers could lead to serious health problems in the near future. Over time, the continued use of medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin can increase your risk of ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.

 

7. Skipping breakfast

 Like the idea or not, skipping breakfast isn't good for you. You probably also know that eating shortly after you wake up triggers your metabolism to kick into gear for the day. So what happens if you skip this step? In a small study, people who skipped breakfast consumed more empty calories at night and tended to be stressed by poor eating choices. And according to SFGate, too many empty calorie foods can lead to weight gain and obesity and lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If you're someone who's always in a rush in the morning, get something portable like fruit and protein bars.

 

8. Lying in the sun

 Just because you don't spend all day lying in the sun doesn't mean you're protected from the rays. You could refrain from applying SPF daily, because what is a half hour outside really going to do? Well, when it comes to your skin, it can do a lot of damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.

 

Since the vast majority of melanoma cases are caused by the sun, slipping on some SPF is an easy fix. Applying face lotion with SPF 15 or higher every day is a great way to reduce the risk of melanoma.

 

9. Binge snacking

 While there is certainly a reason to snack throughout the day, there is a huge difference between chewing an energy bar and mowing a bag of Doritos. Not surprisingly, some researchers say the latter may increase the risk of obesity. Again, it all goes back to what you're snacking on, so make sure to swap junk food for superfood. Have almonds or a slice of cheese ready to eat at noon. In fact, make sure to eat a satisfying lunch so you're not so starving when the afternoon snack hits.

 

10. Smoking and drinking

 It is not exactly a shock that cigarette smoking and drinking is not healthy. Smoking causes 438,000 deaths in the US every year. Alcohol abuse is its own animal, resulting in 88,000 deaths each year between 2006 and 2010 in the U.S. According to the CDC, binge drinking includes more than three drinks for a single occasion for women, and more than four for men. Heavy drinking amounts to more than seven drinks per week for women and more than 14 for men.