We all have our bad habits and we can't just let them go that easy. But hey, 2017 is just around the corner. Wouldn't we want to add a healthier lifestyle in our list of resolutions?
Here are some of the most common but very unhealthy habits we need to change if we want a healthier life:
1. Skipping Breakfast
Morning errands take up too much of our time. Sometimes, drinking coffee is the best thing that our tight schedule allows us to do.
What happens to your body: It slows down your metabolism in order to preserve energy and calories. This affects your ability to concentrate. By lunch time, you eat more to compensate for the lost energy, thus, may cause you to become overweight in the long run.
Resolution: The secret to a hearty breakfast is finding a balance in your protein, carbohydrates, and fat intake. Eating within two hours upon waking up is advised. If this is too much, you can pack a whole-grain bread with low-fat cheese and bring it to work.
2. Finishing Your Kids' Leftovers
When your kids leave the table, you are bombarded with plates that are half-full. And so you eat them thinking they are only leftovers- not too much to add to your own meal.
What happens to your body: An extra 100 calories (half cup of macaroni and cheese) to your daily lunch will result to an extra pound of fat in just seven weeks.
Resolution: Do not heap food on your plate or your kids'. It is important that you recognize the feeling of being full. As soon as you feel this, it is healthy to stop eating. If there are leftovers, you can always pack them in containers for later consumption.
3. Drinking Alcohol Excessively
You may have developed the habit of drinking wine with dinner at the end of a busy day.
What Happens To Your Body: Alcohol intake puts in about 120 calories for every five-ounce (150 millilitre) glass, without any nutrients.
Resolution: Drink a glass of water before drinking an alcoholic drink. This avoids you from turning to the alcohol to quench your thirst. It is also healthy to explore other means of relaxation.
4. Distracted Driving
The weekday drive can be crazy, especially in urban areas. What happens, most of the time, is we cram our other tasks into the drive.
What happens to your body: Subjecting yourself to distractions (texting), while driving, can cause elevate stress levels. It can also put your life and other's life at risk.
Resolution: Wake up earlier and manage your time.
5. Falling Asleep On The Couch
Falling asleep effortlessly on the couch while catching up on TV is very tempting, especially on a very busy day.
What happens to your body: Complete rest happens when you are able to sleep without interruptions for seven to eight hours in a dark and quiet place. Drifting off on the couch with the humming of the TV and moving to bed distracts your rest. It can later on cause imbalances in you metabolism and hormones. This can further lead to weight gain and weaker immune system.
The fix: To get a good and restful sleep, turn off the TV one hour before bed time. Giving yourself a downtime such as talking to family member or listening to music, help you set your mood towards an adequate and an uninterrupted sleep.
Now we have laid out the causes and effects. Let's look forward to a better year with better plans and resolutions. We can always find ways to change old and destructive habits--- and 2017 is a good time to start.
