Did you know that over 90% of all visits to a Physician’s office are for problems and diseases related to your unhealthy habits and lifestyle? Fortunately, it is never too late to turn over a new leaf! Unhealthy habits can be difficult to change; however, once corrected it can lead to a happier and healthier you! Below we discuss common, unhealthy habits and how to replace them.

Poor Nutrition

You indeed are what you eat (and drink). Our bodies are incredibly complicated machines. They are more likely to operate correctly when we take care of them. If someone poured orange juice into the gas tank of their car, you would call them crazy. Your body’s reliance on food is the same concept. Listed below are several common unhealthy habits people have when it comes to nutrition. They are the proverbial ‘orange juice’ in our ‘gas tank’.

-Smoking                                                                            

-Alcoholic Beverages

-Heavily processed foods (ex. sugar and white flour)

-Sodas

-Fried foods

Omitting even one of these habits from your lifestyle can drastically improve the way you feel. Making small omissions and sticking to them is one of the easiest ways to make the change into a habit.

Sedentary Work & Play

Ever heard the saying, “Sitting is the new smoking.”? Many people sit all day at work only to go home and lie on the couch. Our bodies are designed to move. When we spend the majority of our time being sedentary, our joints become compressed and your muscles tighten. Keeping movement in your joints helps to keep them mobile and lubricated. Habitual movement along with regular chiropractic care can help prevent many painful issues caused by compressed joints or degenerated discs.

If you have a desk job, set an alarm to go off every hour to get up and walk around your chair or desk. If you have the option of a standing desk take it! You can alternate sitting and standing every half hour to keep your joints moving.

Find an active hobby that you love. It doesn’t have to be a workout class. It can be as simple as walking around the block while listening to an interesting podcast or music. Just get up and move! A sedentary lifestyle can lead to many health issues like joint inflammation and hypertension.

Treating the Symptoms Instead of the Cause

Many people rush to their medicine cabinet when they feel any sort of pain. Some people even take aspirin or ibuprofen preventatively to avoid ever feeling the pain they think might arise. Pain is your body trying to tell you something! Stop ignoring your body’s alarm system and look deeper into the cause of your pain. Covering up your symptoms can cause small problems to turn into full-blown diseases down the road. Spend some time listening to your body and figure out the real reason for your symptoms.

Stress

Do not get into a mindset of “Stress is part of life. I can’t do anything about it.” Most people feel the majority of their stress from work and relationships. It may feel like you have no power to change these situations, but you most likely have more control than you realize. While everyone’s situation is vastly different, you must consider your health when dealing with life stressors. Even if you feel that you can not change your work or relationships at the present moment, you can find a healthy outlet.

The danger of constant stress and anxiety comes from the buildup of hormones in your system. Our bodies are designed to release stress hormones when we feel threatened to allow us to ‘fight’ or ‘run away from’ the situation. In the past, both of those options allowed you burn off those hormones and then return your body to a restful state. In the present, too many people allow those hormones to sit and fester in their system leading to innumerable health problems, chief among which is high blood pressure.

Find a physical outlet for your stress. It could be walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga. The options are everywhere. You just have to take steps to make it a habit to combat the abuse your body is under every day.

Passive Attitude About Health

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take your health into your own hands! Too many people think they can treat their bodies however they want, and modern medicine will take care of them. That is obviously not true, but so many people adopt a passive attitude about their health with that rationale.

Take preventative steps to keep yourself healthy. It may seem incredibly obvious how all of these habits can be negative for your health, but that does not change the fact that the majority of Americans struggle with at least two of these habits.

Wouldn’t you rather change a few things in your life and feel better along the way? Do not fall into the trap of living without regard for your health. Take an active interest in your health and set a positive example for those around you. Change a few things to get on the road to a happier and healthier you!

For even more unhealthy habits and how to help break the cycle check out this link.

Your Frisco Chiropractor

If you are looking for a chiropractor near me in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Prosper, The Colony, Little Elm then look no further.  Express Chiropractic of Frisco is the place for all your chiropractic health and wellness needs.  You never need an appointment and most of the time we can see you the same day!  Call us at (469) 362-5711 or stop on by for your first visit!  We are located at 9555 Lebanon Rd. Ste. 104 in Frisco. We look forward to helping you in any way we can!