In a society where technology is advancing faster than our bodies are, it is important to be conscious of what we are consuming, smelling, or doing, that may be detrimental to our health. We must constantly be on the lookout for new products or bad habits that we didn’t even know were bad for us. Here are a few of the things I bet you didn’t even know were harming your body every day:
1. New Car Smell
Did you ever wonder what that new car smell really is? Well, it’s the evaporation of volatile chemicals from flame retardants, adhesives, sealers, chemical softeners, lubricants, paints, carpeting and interior leather and vinyl treatments. That doesn't sound organic, does it?
2. Watching T.V. Before Bed
1. Disrupts your hormones and lowers your overall quality of sleep
2. Makes you go to sleep much later
3. The intense cognitive stimulation makes it harder for you to go to sleep
3. Drinking Ice Cold Water
According to experts on Cure Joy, when cold water hits the stomach, your blood vessels shrink, your digestion becomes restricted and hydration is actually hindered. Your body ends up needing to use more energy to regulate your natural body temperature, which can actually lead to water loss. Studies also indicate that cold water temperature solidifies fats from the foods we’ve eaten, making it hard to digests the unwanted fats from our stomach.
4. Eating A Big Meal Before Bed
5. Skipping Breakfast
Have you ever heard the phrase, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? WebMD explains that that is because “Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, helping you burn calories throughout the day. It also gives you the energy you need to get things done and helps you focus at work or at school. Those are just a few reasons why it’s the most important meal of the day.”
6. Laughing Really Hard
I know what you're thinking: but laughter is the best medicine. It's true that laughing can often times be healthy for you, but according to the NY Daily News, “A 50-year-old woman with a preexisting heart condition actually died after a fit of intense laughter, researchers said. There have also been instances where cracking up has triggered asthma attacks and hernias.” I mean, think about it, we've all laughed so hard we could barely breathe.
So next time you plan on "laughing your head off", know your limits.
7. Sleeping Next To A Cell Phone
Have you ever slept with your cell phone under your pillow, next to your head, or even on your nightstand? Well, you probably shouldn’t. CBS news explains that “Cell phones pump out electromagnetic radiation whenever they're on - which means sleeping with one nearby boosts your exposure all night long.”
