We all know that eating a diet comprised solely of junk food, smoking and getting too much sun can be bad for our health, but there are lots of seemingly innocuous things that we would never think twice about doing that can also be harmful.
Wondering if something in your life could be making you sick? Check out these very surprising things that could be bad for your health:
Sitting up Straight
If your mom was always nagging you to sit up straight, this one’s for you. Although it’s true that a hunched posture can cause pain and injury, so can sitting up too straight. If your spine is always perfectly erect when you’re sitting, that could also put a strain on your spine if you do it for too long. What’s the solution? Get up and move around for a few minutes for every hour you’re sitting straight, use an orthopedic chair and do a few stretches!
Perfume
Who doesn’t love perfume? It smells amazing and it makes us feel amazing; except that for some of us it might not. Perfume headaches and migraines are a real thing. Many people are triggered by perfumes, which contain a lot of chemicals that can cause not only headaches but also allergies. If you think that perfume could be causing you to feel unwell, either ditch it completely or try switching over to completely natural essential oil-based versions instead.
Dry Cleaning
You might think you’re doing the right thing by dry cleaning that delicate dress you love, but if you have a lot of dry cleaning and you get it done regularly, you could be increasing your exposure to perchloroethylene – a chemical commonly used in the process. The problem with that is that perchloroethylene can increase your risk of cancer. It can also cause memory loss, mood swings and slower reaction times. If you only dry clean occasionally, it’s not something to be overly concerned about though.
Health Supplements
Health supplements are…well good for your health, right? Well, they can be, but they can also do a lot of harm too, Many supplements currently on the market don’t have FDA approval, and some of them don’t even contain any of the ingredients they’re claiming to contain. Not only that, but many herbal supplements can interact with prescribed medications in a number of ways too, That doesn’t mean you can’t take any supplements ever, but before you do, do your homework, Check they’re FDA approved, buy from a reputable source, and consult your physician first.
Texting
Texting is so ubiquitous today that most of us think nothing about firing off text after text after text, but you know what? It can actually be really bad for your health. Why? Because excessive levels of texting can lead to repetitive strain injuries. If like most people, you tend to hunch yourself over your phone while you do it, it can also cause neck strain and even lead to osteoarthritis! Maybe try calling next time instead.
Are you surprised by any of these additions?
