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7 Toxic Habits That You Can Easily Avoid

They have nothing to do with fad diets, exercise, or quitting social media.

By Ziva LanePublished 3 years ago 6 min read
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Right off the bat, I want to make it pretty clear that overall health means more than diet, exercise, and those fancy supplements popularized in advertisements.

There are some habits that most of us are guilty of. By eliminating them, you will be able to feel certain changes in your body that will not only help you keep fit but also boost your mental health.

1# Not Cleaning Your Tongue With a Traditional Metal Scraper

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I'm guilty of neglecting oral health to the point that it was limited to brushing my teeth twice a day i.e. morning and night for the first eighteen years of my life.

To the courtesy of my ex-partner who introduced me to a traditional Indian metal scraper, tongue cleaning became an integral part of my night routine.

According to Ayurveda and backed by modern scientific studies, tongue cleaning is an effective method to improve digestive power.

Vera W.L. Tang, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor in the department of periodontics and implant dentistry at New York University, quotes:

“More than 700 different bacterial species live in the mouth. Not all of these microbes are harmful. But when the bad ones set up shop and multiply in the crevices around the papillae, or small bumps, on the surface of the tongue, they can inflict some real damage.”

Furthermore, if neglected for a longer time, it can result in seemingly gross but potentially life-threatening oral diseases like duller taste buds, Halitosis, black hairy tongue, yeast infection (in your mouth) — medically known as oral thrush, and periodontal disease like gingivitis.

To avoid oral infections, invest in a traditional Indian metal scraper and clean your tongue before you switch off for the night.

2# Not Practicing Oil Pulling

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The oil pulling technique is an age-old practice defined in Ayurveda. It can help prevent gingivitis, plaque, and the formation of microorganisms that cause bad breath.

It is a simple technique of swishing organic coconut oil in the mouth for 20 minutes. Sounds hard? It isn’t.

Most people complain of jaw aches after a few minutes into the swishing technique which can be quite common in the beginning.

I started with the swishing for just 5 minutes for a few days till my jaw got used to it, and then increased it to 20 minutes gradually till it became a habit. After some time, I noticed I no longer had a bad (morning) breath. I felt fresh.

3# Not Listening To Your Body

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I was guilty of eating till I was weighed down by the food. I didn’t know when to stop. Added to that, I was consuming meat and dairy which made me sick.

It took a PCOS diagnosis to find out that I was lactose intolerant and allergic to meat. My dietician advised me to turn vegan.

There’s a reason why these foods cause allergies. Most non-organic foods are sprayed heavily with harmful pesticides and insecticides. Meat and dairy products contain a ton of hormones.

The best you can do is to listen to your body. Stop eating when you burp for the first time instead of waiting to feel “full”. Know what foods don’t suit your body by understanding how you feel when you consume them. Most people like me aren’t even aware of their food allergies which can be seen as acne amongst others.

4. Not Investing in a Standing Work Desk

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The worst of 2020 made me realize the importance of a standing desk.

Sitting is the new smoking — James A. Levine, MD, Ph.D.

Sounds dramatic, right? It's true.

Sitting for long hours at the same place with the same position sitting has proven to be a recipe for health disasters. Various governments have conducted detailed studies on the ill effects of it and came to such a conclusion.

Standing desks should be an integral part of your home (and workspace) especially if you take your work home. Invest in an adjustable desk that you can customize according to your height. It will give you another reason to stretch and move around during work breaks.

Most successful entrepreneurs have done it. What are you waiting for?

5. Prioritizing Overtime At Work Over Family time

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I fell victim to corporate slavery as a young lawyer and worked overtime to impress my bosses even when it wasn’t necessary. Work was my only priority. As a result, I burned out. I felt empty.

Now, I’m not telling you to quit the job which pays your rent. Spending time with family and friends can be easily managed if made a priority instead of an option.

Request for mental health leaves detailing why you need a break. Emphasize the fact that good mental health is equivalent to productivity at work. Alternatively, request your colleagues to cover for you. A good boss will understand the importance of occasional leaves.

Mental and emotional health is as important as physical health. Above everything, we are all humans. We have certain needs to fulfill which is beyond an XYZ amount of money and greed.

6. Spending on Things That You Never End up Utilizing

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For all of you wondering how’s this related to health? It is directly related to stress.

The thing is when you end up paying for that expensive gym or a fitness center membership out of your pocket, it increases your stress levels.

Most people fail to realize this and end up with zero savings. I was most people. I paid for an annual gym membership when I hardly had time to work out. Added to that, most of my money went into the renewal of premium video streaming services even when I had no time for such entertainment.

Psychological studies have provided vital evidence stating that the consumerism culture (commonly witnessed in capitalist economies) has led to increased stress levels in individuals.

Cancel those subscriptions if you aren’t utilizing them. That way, you’re not even breaking your bank and won’t be stressed in the current time of uncertainty that we are living in. Remember, every single dollar matters.

7. Not Screaming Out Your Feelings

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My introverted self has had a ton of “everyone’s going to judge me”, thoughts. I’m not even kidding, I’ve gone to the point where I kept tolerating crap thrown my way at work.

I kept everything to myself. Most of the time, I was stressed out and had panic attacks with severe anxiety.

It was when I rekindled my love for journaling, my mental health improved.

Mental health practitioners and psychology experts suggest confiding in others will improve your health.

Whether you’re anything like me or not, confide in someone (a loved one) or simply take it all out by journaling your feelings.

. . . . .

Uncertainty has made us realize the importance of overall health. To reap the benefits later, we must make small changes to our lifestyle and inculcate healthy habits to stay fit and content.

This 2021, invest in your health.

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About the Creator

Ziva Lane

23// Accidental Lawyer //Part-time writer full-time disappointment to my parents.

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