Changing some everyday routines will help improve well-being.

We are all aware of the importance of good diet and physical exercise to health. We worry about cholesterol and the ingredients in the products we consume, and we try to follow healthy habits. It all adds up, and helps our body to function properly.

However, some daily habits may be damaging our health without us even realising. Identifying these errors can help us put them right and acquire new habits which will bring numerous health benefits.

This post proposes a series of changes to your everyday routine which will have a positive effect on your mind and body.

Routines that you should change

1. Not going to the toilet

Depriving yourself of going to the toilet for social reasons, because you aren’t at home or don’t have time, is not a good decision. Not going to the toilet regularly causes a lot of bacteria to build up, which may lead to cystitis (urine infection), kidney stones, and even bladder enlargement.

2. Pressing the snooze button on your alarm clock

A few extra minutes in bed will not make you feel you have slept any better. The extra sleep you gain is fragmented and poor in quality. Furthermore, we incite our body to enter a new sleep cycle which it does not have time to complete. This simple habit could be the cause of you feeling drowsy all day. One possible solution: go to bed earlier.

3. Looking at your phone too often

We are spending more and more time checking our phones, leading to stress which is detrimental to our emotional well-being and also harming our eyesight. 70% of the population suffers eye fatigue, a condition that causes dryness, red eyes, headache and blurred vision.

Try not to spend more than two hours checking your phone, blink on purpose every now and then, increase the size of the keys displayed, and ensure the screen configuration is not too bright.

4. Always repeating the same workout

Following the same sports or gym routine every day or at home is a mistake if we want to care for and tone our body. Repeating the same exercises day after day means we stagnate and can’t move forward.

It is best to change our training regime every 4 to 6 weeks in order to prevent overtraining, which could cause unnecessary injuries.

5. Consuming very hot food and drink

It is only natural to fancy very hot soup, drink or food from time to time. However, you should try to ensure it is not too hot. Recent research indicates that excessive heat irritates the mucous membranes (membranes which maintain moisture in the nose, lungs and mouth) and could lead to oesophageal cancer.

6. Cracking your fingers

Many people like to crack their joints and even stretch them beyond their normal movement range. This seemingly innocent gesture could trigger osteoarthritis if repeated too often.

If you have problems of hypermobility, it is best to see a physiotherapist, who can advise you on the most appropriate exercises to relieve the discomfort.

7. Not washing your hands often enough

Hands are the gateway to some of the most common minor contagious diseases, such as colds, flu, or stomach viruses. The best means of prevention is to clean them thoroughly and more often. Soap up your hands on both sides, between the fingers and up to the wrist, and then work into a lather for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.

Remember that optimal health requires a balanced diet (with more vegetables and less meat), regular exercise, and giving up bad habits such as smoking.

This post is also available in: Italian