Do you focus on healthy living? Many people strive every day to take the best care of their body as they possibly can. However, even when making the best choices, you can still be doing things inadvertently and causing pain. Unfortunately, these little bad habits can build into big problems.
So, what are these five bad habits that you don’t even realize you’re doing that are causing you pain? Well, some of them you may know that you’re doing, but you may not realize how bad they are for your overall health. Let’s take a look.
Sitting Too Long
Sitting too long is bad for healthy living. Why is sitting too long a problem? By sitting too long, you develop aches and pains. Your muscles become stiff and may even cramp when you try and get up. Not to mention, when you sit too long, you are at a greater risk of mortality. It is important to get up a few times every hour at a minimum and get in some stretches and light exercises. Even contracting and relaxing your muscles while your sitting is better than doing nothing.
Improper Desk Sitting
In addition to sitting too long, you likely sit improperly at your desk. Improper posture, while seated at your desk, leads to hip, back, shoulder, and neck pain. Furthermore, you can develop carpal tunnel syndrome and tendon issues to go along with your muscle strains. To improve your posture, you need to get an ergonomically sound office chair, a height-adjustable desk, and sit properly. A back support such as a pillow behind your back will also help. Moreover, several times per day, you need to stand up either behind a height-adjustable desk or just to walk around.
Poor Sleeping Habits
Even though you’re getting those eight hours of sleep, you may be suffering from pain due to a bad mattress or poor sleeping positions. If you wake up with back, neck, or shoulder pain, your mattress is not supporting your body properly. In most cases, it is better to have a firmer mattress rather than softer if you suffer from back pain. Poor sleeping positions can also cause your spine to become misaligned. The expensive of a new mattress that fully supports your body during sleep is worth the money. However, if you can’t afford a new mattress or you’re already experiencing pain from misalignment, you should see a chiropractor.
Worn Out or Unsuitable Shoes
You can suffer from reoccurring back pain due to worn out or unsuitable shoes. Wearing heels may make you appear thinner, but if you’re suffering from sore feet and a painful back, they aren’t worth it. The style of shoes that you wear can also cause your back to become misaligned. Let’s not forget shoes with worn out soles or padding. Without proper support, your back will suffer. You should look for shoes that fit the arch of your feet, have an adequate cushion, and fit properly.
Heavy Bags
The last of the everyday bad habits that you likely fall victim to is carrying heavy bags. It doesn’t matter if the bag is a purse, backpack, or a sack of groceries, they all can result in back, neck, and shoulder pain. All this extra weight puts a strain on your tendons and muscles. You need to take out some of the items that you don’t need out of your bags, make more trips, or evenly distribute the weight of the items.
Paying attention to these five everyday activities can help reduce your pain and improve your healthy living. If you need chiropractic assistance, then you should contact us today for chiropractic care. We’re here to help. Call 770-974-5215.
